The Nativity Re-visited

The focus in this program will be telling the miraculous story of the birth of Jesus, starting with Gabriel's visit to Mary to reveal her purpose. I was looking for something to catch the attention of our community that would be contemporary in style, and still tell the traditional story of the birth of Christ. Many of the Christmas offerings that I found were either one or the other but not both. After a lot of searching and prayer, I strongly felt that it was important to make sure the miraculous story from beginning to end would be told in a clear and contemporary way. I decided to end the evening with an intro to the resurrection story and the ultimate gift of grace and include the audience in a short time of worship. We will be using a series of monologues, which I purchased, to tell the story from the characters point of view. The acts will be going on within the audience, around the auditorium, and on stage. The readers will represent Gabriel, Elisabeth, Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, and the Inn Keeper. Each reader will give an account of their experiences revealing the Christmas story. Gabriel speaks of his encounter with Mary when he brings her the news that God is blessing her to carry the Son of God. Mary then speaks from her home about the encounter with Gabriel and, after the initial shock, the joy that filled her heart over hearing the news that she was chosen to carry the Savior of the world. She also tells of her visit to her Aunt Elisabeth in Hebron, as well as her fears as she returned home to her betrothed Joseph. How would he respond to this news? Joseph then shares he thoughts of Mary and of that night when Mary returned to him and shared the news of her pregnancy. He speaks of his devastation when he hears of Mary's condition and then of the angels visit telling him of this wonderful news and confirming to him that his Mary was carrying the Messiah. This monologue is followed by the song "Everything Changed" telling of how all of life had changed for Mary that night, but also for us. Elisabeth tells of her life with Zechariah, the visit from Mary, and her miraculous pregnancy carrying the child who would become the forerunner of the Messiah. The shepherd's excitedly give their account of the night the angels appeared to them with news that the Messiah had been born in the town of Bethlehem. "Glory to God in the highest heaven" the angels sang, and "peace on earth for all those pleasing him." This monologue is followed by two traditional carols done in a very contemporary format bringing this evening to a crescendo of glorifying God and rejoicing with the angels and shepherds. The Inn Keeper then has a moving testimony about how he was so distracted by his circumstances that he missed the most important event in history. The children's choir will close this monologue with "Away in a Manger" with an original bridge added titled "There's Room". This will lead into the crucifixion story and presenting the incredible gift of grace, which will be facilitated by Pastor. The scenes will be set up around the auditorium with the nativity cave at stage left being the focal point. On the floor in front of the nativity will be the Innkeeper's Inn. Mary's home will be center stage and Joseph's shop will be stage center-right. There will also be several marketplace vignettes placed around the edges of the auditorium with marketeers, travelers, and patrons acting accordingly. There are clearly details to work on in regards to these activities during the monologues and music. Our church community has come together to represent the people of Bethlehem, shepherds, and soldiers, in order to give the community the experience of walking into the town of Bethlehem. The parking lot will have shepherds around the fire tending their livestock. The church entry is being transformed into the entrance of Bethlehem. The hallways and auditorium will be filled with townspeople in their market places, travelers coming to the inn, and soldiers standing by. I find it very difficult to effectively describe the vision that I have for the evening. Basically, I approach it like a worship set. The beginning starts like a ballad where the truth of this story is told and then crescendos into a time of glorious praise and worship and then ends with a time of intimate worship. The preliminary schedule is as follows: 6:00 pm - Background instrumental music, role-playing throughout auditorium and parking lot. 7:00 pm - The Christmas Story from Luke - Reader 1 (music in the background) Opening Song: "All Creation Sing (Joy to the World) Music by George Frederick Handel and Steve Fee; Words by Isaac Watts and Steve Fee. Narrator Begins with introduction; Gabriel Speaks of his interaction with Mary; Mary's Monologue from her home; Joseph's Monologue from his workshop; Song: "Everything Changed" by Eddie Kirkland, North Point Community Church Elisabeth's Monologue from the floor, interacting with the crowd. Song: "He Has Come for Us (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)" by Jason Ingram and Meredith Andrews Shepherd's Monologue - sitting on the edge of the stage with other shepherds acting from the audience interacting with the townspeople as they arrive in Bethlehem. Songs: "Angels We Have Heard on High" contemporary style "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" contemporary style inspired from the North Point Community Christmas Inn Keeper Monologue - from the front door of the Inn. Song: "Away in a Manager" (There's Room) by James Ramsey Murray, John Thomas McFarland, Martin Luther (Connie Egli) - The children will perform this song along with sign language. Narrator - Conclusion Song: "Glorious Day" by Michael Bleecker and Mark Hall - led by the Worship Band. Closing by Pastor As always, rehearsals bring change, so this is program will be re-visited after the season is over for any updates or hints to remember for the next time. Overall, I pray that this powerful message reaches our community and that the participants are impacted this Christmas season as we "re-visit the nativity" together.

1. The Monologues from "The Characters of Christmas" by Lois Sink
2. Background Music from Soundtrack of "The Nativity"