The Light Before Christmas: Celebrating Candles and Carols Script by: Kasey Needham Meghan Walls

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Light Before Christmas: Celebrating Candles and Carols Script by: Kasey Needham Meghan Walls"

Delilah Harrison
5 years ago
Views:

1 : Celebrating Candles and Carols Script by: Kasey Needham Meghan Walls Page 1

2 Introduction: In the Beginning Sunday School Class: Materials/ Props Needed: Scripts Only, lines do not need to be memorized Costume: Speakers- no costume, Sunday best Reading Roles: 8 speakers Speaker 1 : In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Speaker 2 : He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. Speaker 3 : In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind Speaker 4 : The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Page 2

3 Speaker 5 : Today, our story is of The Light. The Light that darkness cannot overcome. The Light that gives Life to all people. Speaker 6 : During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. The wreath, that holds these candles, continually reminds us of whom we are called to be as followers of Jesus. Speaker 7 : Today, we are gathered to celebrate our shared story- from our littlest ones to our wisest members. We know the story and love to hear it. Today we invite you to share in this story through this interactive worship experience with our children, youth, and adults alike! Yes! There is a part for all of us in the story! You will be invited to sing along, to stand, to maybe do a yoga pose or two, and more! Please feel free to participate, joyfully, as you feel led! Speaker 8 : Let us now turn our hearts to the light, the beautiful Life Light of Christ, as we reflect on the meaning and re-experience the Wonder of Advent. SONG: Wonder of Advent (ALL Children and Youth) Page 3

4 Scene One: The Candle of Hope ( 6 minutes) Sunday School Class: Materials/ Props Needed: Storybook 2 blankets 2 pillows 3 Yay Signs Powerpoint slide- antiphons Costume: Boy and Girl: Pajamas Mother and Father: no costume, where regular clothes Israel children: black t-shirt, khaki pants Narrator: no costume, Sunday Best Antiphon readers: No costume, Sunday Best Candle of Hope: Black pants, purple shirt, flame cut out for face. Isaiah: Blue Robe Reading Character Rolls : Narrator Girl (Child) Boy (child) Candle of Hope (Adult) Israel Child 1,2, & 3 Isaiah (Adult) 3 speakers (adult/ children, non-memorized) Antiphon readers: 6 readers (adult/ children, non-memorized) Non-reading Roles : People of Israel, Mother, Father, Acolyte Page 4

5 [ Enter scene looking at a small family, Stage Right. As the narrator reads, a Mother and Father tuck their two children into bed. Father mimics reading a story to children. ] Narrator: and all through the house the children were there with mom and her spouse. Daddy was reading a story of yuletide and the family was gathered round the bedside. As the children drifted off to sleep, they counted 100 hundred fluffy, white sheep. When in their dreams arose such a clatter, they opened their eyes to see what was the matter. [Mother and Father Exit, Candle of Hope enters Stage Right, loudly waking children up] Girl: you re not a sugar plum!!! Candle of Hope : that s right I m a candle!! Boy Kid : A candle? Candle of Hope : Well actually, I m more than a candle.i m a symbol Boy Kid : A symbol of what? Candle of Hope: A symbol of Advent Girl: Advent? Like Adven.ture? Page 5

6 Candle of Hope: Well...let me take you on an ADVENT ure..follow me [walks to Stage left ] We are in Ancient Israel. Where the people were without hope. They were lost in darkness by following many rulers that had wandered far from God. [Israel people huddled together stage left] Israel Child 1 : I m Hungry Israel child 2: I m cold Israel child 3 : I m poor Girl: Wow, they complain a lot Boy: Well if your entire nation was constantly being invaded by foreign armies and your people taken to foreign lands, you would complain too. Candle of Hope : Look now, there s a prophet coming, it s Isaiah! Isaiah : [to the people] Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. Candle of Hope: [ with hopeful inflection ] This IS Isaiah, he is prophesying about the One who will bring hope to the people of Israel. Page 6

7 Isaiah : For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. Speaker 9 : And he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Speaker 10 : Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. Speaker 11 : The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Israel children hold signs: YAY!!! APPLAUSE!!! YAY!!! [card held up instructing all to participate] [Organ begins to play O Come, O Come Emmanuel, quietly while Antiphon readers begin] Antiphon Reader 1: We will now light the Candle of Hope for the Hope Christ gives us! While the candle is lit, follow along by reading the print in BOLD on the screen and respond with hope! [Acolyte: Light 1st Candle, antiphons begin] Page 7

8 Antiphon Reader 1: O EMMANUEL, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of the nations and their Savior: All: Come and Save us, O Lord, our God. Antiphon Reader 2: O WISDOM, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end, and ordering all things mightily and sweetly: All : Come, and teach us the way of prudence. Antiphon Reader 3: O ADONAI and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flames of the bush and gave him the law on Sinai: All: Come, and with your outstretched arm redeem us. Antiphon Reader 5: O KEY OF DAVID, and Scepter of the house of Israel, who opens and no one shuts, who shuts and no one opens: All: Come, and bring forth from prison the captive who sits in the darkness and in the shadow of death. Page 8

9 Antiphon Reader 6: O DAYSPRING, Brightness of the light eternal and Sun of justice: All: Come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Antiphon Reader 7: O KING OF THE GENTILES and their Desired One, Cornerstone that makes both one: All : Come, and deliver us whom you formed out of the dust of the earth. Sing O Come, O come Emmanuel #211 Verse 1 only- children only All sing: 2, 5, 6, 7 Page 9

10 Scene Two: The Candle of Peace (8 minutes) Sunday School Class: High School Youth Materials/ Props Needed: Yoga mat Towels Powerpoint, yoga pose pictures Costume: Candle of Peace: Black pants, purple shirt, flame cut out for face. Boy and girl: Pajamas Speakers: no costume, Sunday best Testimony speaker- no costume, Sundy best Yogis- black t-shirt, khakis pants Reading Character Rolls : Girl Boy Candle of Peace 2 Speakers (non-memorized) Testimony Non-Reading Roles Yogis Acolyte [Scene One participants exit girl, boy, and Candle of Hope move to Stage Right, bottom of stairs Candle of Peace enters at top-center of the chancel stairs, unfolding yoga mat, stands and begins to meditate] Boy : Well that was different but cool. Page 10

11 Girl : Yeah, I m glad the people of Israel eventually got their hope. Candle of Hope : This hope is for us too, but we ll get to that later...until then, here s my friend... it may take a minute for them to notice us, they like to meditate. Candle of Peace: [standing in tree pose ] ommmmmmmm [in meditation and after a few moments, spoken calmly]. I m the Candle of Peace. Welcome to my yoga studio. Stand now for our yoga session has begun! Come now my yogis. Let s stand and begin! [motions to congregation and yogis to stand] [Yogis come to the front of the chancel and down the aisle, with their yoga towels] Candle of Peace: And now we center ourselves...with your hands in prayer pose...deep breath in..and deep breath out! And again! Deep breath of God s peace.and deep breath out.. Don t you feel that peace washing over you? Candle of Peace: Now for our Mountain Pose. Place your feet on the ground, align your hips, and your heart over your ankles. Lift your chin slightly and spread your palms out. As if we were standing on the mountain with Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac to the Lord! [Picture shown on Projection] Page 11

12 Candle of Peace: [realizing ] Except that s NOT peaceful, sit down while we continue. Candle of Peace: Now the Camel! That brought in the Wise Men from the East! [shouting and excited] Follow the Star! Follow the Star! Candle of Peace : [sitting down, suddenly calm] Ommmmm Candle of Peace: Now to the locust, which provided sustenance for John the Baptist as he foretold the coming of the Messiah Gir l: [ to boy, annoyed] is that another Yoga pose? Candle of Peace: NO! [Pause, with frustration] The Messiah is the one Isaiah prophesied about! [Suddenly calm] He is the one who brings peace to God s people, more so than I could bring with yoga. Girl: That s for sure! Candle of Peace : [to congregation] Where do you find your peace? Let s listen to a story of peace...a testimony of God s peace. [Insert Testimony] Page 12

13 Speaker 12 : Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Speaker 13 : And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7. Now we light the candle of Peace while the choirs sing. [Acolyte lights 2nd candle] SONG: A Prayer for Peace (Call to Christ, Praise Kids, Sanctuary Choir, and Handbells (3 players)) Page 13

14 Scene Three: The Candle of Joy (4 minutes) Sunday School Class: 3rd-5th grade, Middle School Materials/ Props Needed: Scripts Powerpoint- Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, verse 1 text Costume: Candle of Joy: Black pants, purple shirt, flame cut out for face. Girl and Boy- pajamas Speakers: no costume required Angel: White Robe Mary: Blue Robe Elizabeth: Purple Robe Speakers: no costume, Sunday best Reading Character Rolls : Girl Boy Candle of Joy 6 Speakers (non-memorized) Angel Mary Elizabeth Non-Reading Roles: Acolyte Page 14

15 [Candle of Joy enters, bouncing] Girl: You re new Candle of Joy : [Overly happy and bouncy] Yep! I m the Candle of Joy! I represent the joy found in Christ that is overflowing and never ending!!! Boy: But I know people who aren t happy Candle of Joy : Well happiness is different than Joy! Girl : How so? Candle of Joy: Joy is grounded in the promise that even when bad things happen, God is still in control. Happiness is more fleeting and based on a feeling. Let s take a look at the story of Mary and Elizabeth! Let s hear the joy-filled scripture from the first chapter in the Gospel Luke. Speaker 14 : During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron.They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to have children and they both were very old. Page 15

16 Speaker 15 : One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord s sanctuary and burn incense. All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. Speaker 16 : An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.when Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and was overcome with fear. The angel said: The Angel: Don t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the Lord s eyes. Speaker 17 : When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David s house. The virgin s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, The Angel: Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you! Speaker 18 : She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, The Angel: Don t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. Page 16

17 Mary: How will this happen? The Angel: The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God s Son. Mary : [bowing] I am the Lord s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said. Speaker 19: After hearing the angel s message Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the child leaped inside of her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out: Elizabeth: [to Mary] God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her. Candle of Joy: Did you hear that? The baby jumped for joy when he felt Jesus near! He would bring joy and so would Jesus! Joy! Unending Joy! Let s light that candle!! [Acolyte lights 3rd candle] [organ rumbles with the sound of Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee] SING: Joyful,Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, verse 1 Page 17

18 Scene Five: Candle of Love (5 minutes) Sunday School Class: 3rd-5th grade, Middle School Materials/ Props Needed: Shepherd's Staff Manger Babydoll Cloth, for manger Star cut- out Costume: Candle of Love: Black pants, pink shirt, flame cut out for face. Sheep: Black t-shirt, khakis pants, sheet costumes Angels: White robes Dan the Shepherd: Shepherd s staff, Brown robe Reading Character Rolls : Girl Boy Candle of Love Dan The Angel Non-reading Roles: Acolyte Sheep Angels Dancers Page 18

19 SONG: People look East, Small Ensemble, verse 1 [Dan, Boy, Girl, and Candle of Love enter during singing, Dan sits on the steps looking down] Dan : [dramatically] I don t have a love *sigh* Boy: [to the Girl] what s wrong with him? Girl: Yeah...he looks kinda...down Candle of Love: [to the children] This is Dan. Boy: Who are you? Candle of Love: I m the Candle of Love! Dan doesn t have a love and I m here to help him. Dan is sad. [to Dan] How s it going Dan? Dan : Not so great. I don t have a love *sigh* Candle of Love : Why do you want a love so bad, Dan? Dan : Well, can anybody find me. SOMEBODY TO LOVE???? No! They cannot. Love is fleeting. People are fickle. I must attend my sheep...and be lonely and be with my sheep. Page 19

20 Candle of Love: Ok Dan. Good luck, man. [Dan walks to sheep] Dan: I don t have a love!!! *Sigh* Sheep: [Crying with Dan] baaaaa SONG: People look East: Small Ensemble,Verse 5 [All angels appear] The Angel: Dan! We found you a love. Love, the Lord is on the way. Follow the star and you will find them. [Dan follows the the Candle of Love who is holding the star to the manger] SONG: People Look East, Small Ensemble, Verse 4. Dan: [peaks into the manger and exclaims] I found a love!! Hahah! [dancers enter, dancer will light 4th candle] SONG: LOOK TO THE LIGHT (Dance movement) Page 20

21 Scene Six: The Conclusion Sunday School Class: Materials/ Props Needed: Powerpoint Slide with An Echo Carol of Praise 2 blankets 2 pillows Costume: Speakers-no costume, Sunday best Mother and Father- no costume, Sunday best Boy and Girl: Pajamas Reading Character Rolls: Mother Father Boy Girl 4 Speakers (non-memorized) [Children back in bedroom asleep, begin to wake up] Mom and Dad: [enter] Merry Christmas! Girl: Mom! Dad! We just went on an ADVENT ure! Mom: [confused] What s an ADVENTure? Boy: We learned about the Light of Christ that Jesus brings us. Girl: It s the reason we celebrate! Page 21

22 Boy: Wait, aren t there five candles? We never met the last one! Speaker 20 : The last candle represents the one to come! It s the Christ Candle. Speaker 21 : We will light this candle on Christmas Eve in honor of Christ s birth. Speaker 22 : The true source of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Speaker 23 : With this message in our hearts and minds, let us sing! Our friends on stage will sing the call, you can respond with singing and follow along with the BOLD print on the screen. SONG: An Echo Carol of Praise Page 22

23 Teach several songs Hand out for parents of more information- costuming, recordings, next rehearsal updates, casting considerations, volunteers, participation Teach: Set: Fun song or game Musical portions Song of Advent O, Come only a few verses Look to the Light (Children Look East) Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee V. 1 Echo Carol of Praise Snack Break Speaking portions; Read through of script Switch parts throughout Assign a few parts at the end Page 23

24 Page 24

Lighting the Advent Wreath 2017

Lighting the Advent Wreath 2017 Advent comes from the Latin word 'adventus' meaning 'Coming.' Advent begins the church year starting four Sundays before Christmas. The season of Advent has been set aside