| Leader | Welcome !
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given ...
He will reign from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 9 : 6, 7
Please stand to sing the Carol :
O Come all ye faithful.
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1. O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels :
Chorus :
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
2. God of God,
Light of light -
Lo ! He abhors not the virgin's womb.
Very God,
Begotten not created :
Chorus
3. Sing, choirs of Angels,
Sing in exultation !
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above !
Glory to God
In the highest :
Chorus
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| | Leader | Please sit for the Reading.
| Reader 1 | Reading :
Luke 2 : 1-7
| | Leader | Please stand to sing the Carol :
Away in a manger.
| | ( During singing of carol, Shepherds go down organ side of church and sit on floor near overhead projector. Angel goes down other side of church and stands altar side of Christmas Tree, Narrator moves to lectern. )
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1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus ! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus : I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.
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| | Leader | Please sit for the play :The shepherds visit Jesus.
| Angel | ( moves across in front of manger and says to the shepherds and congregation : )
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born for you, He is Christ the Lord.
| | ( The angel 'flies' down central aisle to the back. )
| | Narrator | ( as the Shepherds stand up move to manger and look )
The shepherds said to one another,
| | Shepherds |
Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us.
| | Narrator | So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus lying in a manger.
When the shepherds saw Him, they told what the angel had said about the child.
| | ( Shepherds go back down central aisle whispering and talking together. )
| | | All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen.
| | Leader | Please stand to sing the Carol :
Angels From the Realms of Glory
| | ( During the hymn, actors who will be bringing forward symbols of gifts QUIETLY collect them from the table at the back and queue in the right order along the organ side of the church. )
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1. Angels, from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
You who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth :
Chorus :
Come and worship
Christ the new-born King,
Come and worship,
worship Christ the new-born King
2. Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light :
Chorus
3. Sages, leave your contemplation,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great desire of nations -
You have seen His natal star :
Chorus
4. Saints before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear :
Chorus
5. Though an infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father's throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down :
Chorus
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| | Leader | Please sit for the play :
We give our gifts to Jesus.
| | ( As people are mentioned during this play, the corresponding actors bring their gifts and place them on the table, then each stands to one side behind the table as more gifts are brought forward. The organist plays "In the bleak mid-winter" quietly all through this part. )
| | Narrator |
Some wise men who studied the stars came from the East seeking the Baby born to be King of the Jews. They followed a star which went ahead of them until it stopped over the house where the Child was. They went into the house and when they saw the Child with his mother Mary they knelt down and worshipped Him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and presented them to Him.
We are now going to demonstrate ways in which we can give our lives and abilities to God.
The angel represented the Heavenly Host - serving God in word and deed;
The shepherds represented Israel. Their gift of a lamb symbolises God's forgiveness and great love;
One of the Wise Men from the Far East represented wisdom and knowledge - given to God that it might benefit all people throughout the world;
Another, with his gift of gold, represented great wealth - reminding us that God in His kindness desires to open His storehouses and bestow His gifts upon us;
The third represented the traveller trading spices and perfumes from far and near. Her gift to God brings fragrance and cheer;
The Carpenter's gift reminds us of God's provision in our homes and lives.
Here is a Potter - this pot of her own making is given to God, as a token of our need for bowls and utensils.
The Farmer represents New Zealand. As a farmer he is offering his equipment that it might be used by God to provide food for all people.
Here is a Gardener; she brings to God flowers reminding us of the beauty of God's creation.
Here is a Painter. Her offering to God helps protect our homes and lives during adverse conditions.
Here is a European. Her Irish dancing demonstrates the joy of God expressed through His people.
Here is a Dancer. Her gift to God is a reminder of our need for self-control and precision in our work.
Here is a Pacific Islander. Her gift is a token of honour and friendship.
Here is a South American. Her gift of music will join with the heavenly hosts who sing praises to God.
Here is a Medical worker. God is able through her to bring healing and peace to many.
Here is an Invalid. Her offering opens the doors for those in need to come to God and be blessed.
Here is someone from the polar regions. Her gift reminds us to share warmth and gentleness to those around us.
Here is an Indian. Her gift of sewing teaches us patience and carefulness in all that we do.
Here is an American. As a missionary and teacher her gift to God opens doors for God's goodness to reach the uttermost parts of the earth.
Here is an African. His gift to God teaches us the importance of running the race of time faithfully to the end, to finish the course.
Here is a hiker. Her gift enables us to depend on God up hill and down - rough or smooth - one step at a time.
Here is someone who works behind the scenes. He demonstrates our need to have times of privacy both with ourselves and with God.
I represent Egypt. My gift of the written word gives us the opportunity to learn of God and follow his teachings.
| | ( Organist stops at a suitable point, pauses, then more loudly gives us an introductory bar - )
| | All the cast sing :
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What can I give Him,
Poor as I am ?
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb;
If I were a wise man
I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him ? -
I will give my heart.
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| | Narrator | We invite you to join us as we sing this verse once more as a prayer.
| All | Repeat song kneeling.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am ?
If I were a shepherd,
I would give a lamb;
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part;
Yet what can I give him ? -
I will give my heart.
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| | Leader | Please stand to sing the Carol :
Te Harinui.
| | ( Cast proceed to back during this song, regroup, and return down side aisle. )
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| | Leader | Please sit for the play :
The fruit God gives his people.
| ( As each fruit is read out someone brings the label 'love' etc. from the table at the back to the front using the organ aisle, and the tallest actor hangs it on the tree next to a fruit. They return to the back down 'Hospital' aisle. )
| | Narrator | Jesus invites all His people to - "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."
In response to our willingness to come to God and give Him our lives and abilities, God encourages us to tell everyone about His love for all people.
However He does not expect us to do this on our own. He gives us His strength and His abilities - far greater then we could ever imagine - and as we begin to rely on Him the fruit of God begins to develop in us and we begin to be a blessing to others.
The fruit of love :
God's love to us,
unconditional and everlasting;
| | ( Add label "love" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of joy :
God's joy,
which causes us to laugh and dance and sing;
| | ( Add label "joy" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of peace :
God's peace,
which creates an assurance deep within;
| | ( Add label "peace" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of patience :
God's patience -
patience which is willing to wait for us to learn about and accept Him;
| | ( Add label "patience" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of kindness :
God's kindness,
which returns good for evil;
| | ( Add label "kindness" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of goodness :
God's goodness,
which helps us see the best in one another;
| | ( Add label "goodness" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of faithfulness :
God's faithfulness,
which never lets us down;
| | ( Add label "faithfulness" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of gentleness :
God's gentleness,
which draws us ever closer to him;
| | ( Add label "gentleness" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | The fruit of self-control :
God's self-control,
which helps us to cope when things go wrong.
| | ( Add label "self-control" to a fruit on the tree. )
| | | So let us go forth in the strength of God, displaying His fruit and desiring to share the Good News of the birth, life, death and risen Glory of God's Son Jesus with all we meet.
| | Leader | Please sit or kneel for the prayers.
| | Pray-er | Prayers.
| | Leader | Please stand to sing the Carol :
Joy to the world
( during which a voluntary collection will be taken ).
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1. Joy to the world ! - the Lord is come !
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heav'n and nature sing,
And Heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing.
2. Joy to the world ! - the Saviour reigns !
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3. He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, and wonders of His love.
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| | Leader | Blessing
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