Congregational Hymn or Carol

To Be Chosen

Scene 1:(Advent 1: the story of Creation)

The lights are dimmed. Enter John the Evangelist, standing to one side near the Advent Wreath. The first giant Advent candle comes on, dimly illuminating the figure.

Saint John the Evangelist

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. The same was with God from the Beginning, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.[John 1:1-4]

Dim the lights. A long blue silk cloth is unrolled across the “stage” and shaken to create water-like ripples.

Holy Scripture

In the beginning, when God created the heaven and the Earth, the Earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved on the face of the Water. [Genesis 1:1-2]

Enter Spirit. The Spirit is dressed as a dove or an eagle. The spotlight follows her.

And God said

Spirit

Let there be Light! Stage lights come up to full brilliance

Holy Scripture

And there was Light![Genesis 1:3]

Saint John the Evangelist

And the light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness overcometh it not.[John 1:5]

Congregational Hymn or Carol

To Be Chosen

During the hymn, the animals come up out of the water and dance in the light on the dry land

Scene 2:(Advent 2: God's prophets foretell the Messiah)

Enter Isaiah. The second advent candle comes

Isaiah

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. [Isaiah 9.2]

Jeremiah

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.[Jeremiah 33:14-15]

Isaiah

Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.[Isaiah 7.14]

Micah

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.[Micah 5.2]

Isaiah

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.[Isaiah 9.6]

Malachi

"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.[Malachi 3.1]

Isaiah

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns."[Isaiah 52.7]

Congregational Hymn

Our God Reigns

Enter Saint John the Evangelist

Scene 2:(Advent 2: John the Baptist)

The third advent candle comes on.

Saint John the Evangelist

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.. Enter Saint John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist

Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!

There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Congregational Hymn or Carol

To Be Chosen

Scene 4:(Advent 4: the Annunciation)

The fourth advent candle comes on.

Holy Scripture

In the sixth month the ange Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the Virgin's name was Mary. [Luke 1:26-27]Enter Mary, right, taking her place before the altar and kneeling at prayer, facing stage left. Enter Gabriel, left.

Gabriel

Hail, thou that are highly favoured, the Lord is with thee.[Luke 1:28]

Mary

What manner of salutation is this?[Luke 1:29]

Gabriel

Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest;

And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David,

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;

And of his kingdom there shall be no end.[Luke 1:30-33]

Mary

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.[Luke 1:38]

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. [Luke 1:46-49]

Enter Joseph. He walks up to Mary and looks at her. She stares raptly at Gabriel.Joseph walks away and sits down, thinking hard.

Joseph

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.[Matthew 1:19] Gabriel comes over to Joseph

Gabriel

Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. [Matthew 1:20-21]

Joseph goes over to Mary and takes her hand, and they leave down the centre aisle of the church.

Congregational Hymn or Carol

To Be Chosen

Animals and bales of hay come and take their place before the altar creating a creche.

Scene 5:(Christmas: the Nativity)

Holy Scripture

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.[Luke 2:1-5]

Sunday School Hymn

Away in a Manger

Mary (now heavily pregnant) and Joseph walk back down the main aisle and enter the sanctuary, and take place before the altar in the creche.

Holy Scripture

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.[Luke 2:6-7]

Congregational Hymn

Silent Night