Key :directions
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Other information :There are some notes on our production of the service. A rough plan of the church is available. A note on copyright. |
Leader | Welcome.
Please sit or kneel for the opening prayer. ( Offer a prayer appropriate to the circumstances. ) Please stand for the Carol. | ||
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Reader 1 | Please sit for the reading : Luke 2 : 1, 3-6; 7b. | ||
Poem Part 1Throughout all parts of the poem, as each couplet is read a child carries the card with the appropriate letter down the centre aisle and places it in position and stands behind it. At the end of part 3 the word CHRISTMAS should be displayed round the manger. | |||
Poem reciter | C is for Census, which the Romans did bring; | ||
( Child dressed as Roman messenger carries the "C" card to the front. ) | |||
T is for Travelling, a long journey ahead; | |||
( Child dressed as Joseph carries the "T" card to the front. ) | |||
M is for Mary, who had reason to sing, and | |||
( Child dressed as Mary carries the "M" card to the front. ) | |||
I is for Innkeeper with no spare bed. | |||
( Child dressed as innkeeper carries the "I" card to the front. ) | |||
Leader | Please stand for the Carol. | ||
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Leader | Please sit for the reading | ||
Reader 2 | Luke 2 : 6-20. | ||
Poem Part 2 | |||
Poem reciter | H is for Hooray ! - the baby Jesus was born; | ||
( Child dressed as Holy child carries the "H" card to the front. ) | |||
S is for Shepherds, who sat on the lawn; | |||
( Child dressed as Shepherd carries the "S" card to the front. ) | |||
A is for Angels, who sang before dawn. | |||
( Child dressed as Angel carries the "A" card to the front. ) | |||
Leader | Please stand for the carol. | ||
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Leader | Please sit for the reading. | ||
Reader 3 | Matthew 2 : 1-11 | ||
Poem Part 3 | |||
Poem reciter | S is for Star the Wise Men did see, and | ||
( Child dressed as Wise Man carries the "S" card to the front. ) | |||
R is for Redeemer, a Gift for you and me. | |||
( Child dressed as Risen Lord carries the "R" card to the front. ) | |||
Leader | Please stand for the carol
"At Christmas there are presents Underneath the tree". | ||
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During the song, the children move from behind the chairs and proceed round the church leaving a child in front of each 'present' letter. At a signal from the leader ( during the LAST chorus ) they simultaneously pull the cloths off. | |||
Leader | Please sit. | ||
Stage hand places two chairs in front of the manger for Lady and Lady's friend to sit on.Play : "The Gift" | |||
Giver, carrying gift, and Friend walk up to front of church on organ side as Lady and Lady's friend come down Hospital side and then move towards the centre. Friend 2 comes down Hospital aisle and stands looking at tree.
As they walk : | |||
Giver | I do hope she likes what I got her. It was so hard to pick something, for she has everything one person could ask for. | ||
Friend ( agreeing silently with many small nods of the head ) | Hhmmmmmmmmm. | ||
Giver | I've chosen something that changed my life. I do hope it does the same for her. | ||
Lady and Lady's friend come down Hospital side and meet Giver and friend in middle at altar steps. | |||
Giver hands gift to Lady, gives her a smile of greeting; meanwhile Friend walks over to Friend 2 who is looking at the tree thoughtfully and starts a silent conversation.
Lady mouths the words "thank you" to Giver with a small unfriendly smile. Giver joins Friend and Friend 2 at tree; all three sit down become silent and still. Lady places gift on floor next to her. | |||
Lady's Friend ( points to gift ) | Are you not going to open it ? | ||
Lady takes a quick look at the gift and then turns to Lady's Friend - | |||
Lady | Oh, she never gives me anything I like, and I have everything in the world that I want. | ||
Lady's Friend ( smiles at Lady warmly ) | Go on.... Open it... You never can tell with these people. | ||
Lady ( reaches for the gift and picks it up placing it on her lap ) | Well....... if you insist. | ||
Lady opens gift and children come running down aisle to look at gift.
Three Friends join them. Lady takes each card from gift box and hands it to a child. Children move into line at front of church along the altar rail and hold a card until they are read. Lady walks around to front of cards saying - | |||
Lady | What could it be ? I've never seen anything like this before. | ||
Lady reads out cards walking slowly down the line;
Children walk off around the church. | |||
Friend 2 | For those who would like to respond to the invitation that the risen Jesus has given us, please follow this prayer, written on your programme, silently in your own mind, as I pray it aloud.
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for any wrong things I have done that might hurt You.
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Leader | Please stand for the carol, during which a collection will be taken. | ||
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Leader | Blessing. |