Narrator Think of that first Christmas
And from your heart will stem
A picture pathway leading
Back to Bethlehem.
Song It Came upon the Midnight Clear
"It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold.
Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all gracious King.
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing."
Narrator 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.
(Enter Joseph and Mary)
And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, to
be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife,
being great with child.
Song Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie,
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
Narrator As Joseph and Mary entered the city of
Bethlehem, they looked for a
place to rest. Mary knew her time to
deliver was very soon. As they
came upon an inn, Joseph inquired
about a room.
Joseph We are looking for a place to stay.
Do you have room for us at your inn?
1st Inn No, all of our rooms are full.
Narrator They traveled to another inn, and this
is what they found.
Joseph Please kind sir, do you have room for
us at your inn?
2nd Inn I’m sorry, no. We have no more room here.
Narrator Mary was growing weary. They continued
their search for a place to stay.
Joseph We have traveled far and my wife is
very tired. Would you please have a
room in your inn for us?
3rd Inn We have nothing left at all. Each room
is filled.
Joseph But we have come such a long way,
and my wife Mary is great with child.
Surely you have some place where she
can rest.
3rd Inn Well, there is an unused stable. If you
want to use it, you may.
Joseph Thank you for your kindness, but Mary
needs a comfortable room to rest in.
Mary Joseph, let us take the stable.
I cannot go any father.
Narrator And so it was, that while they were
there, the days were accomplished that
she should be delivered. And she
brought forth her first born son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes,
and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn.
Song Away in a Manger
Away in a manger,
no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus
laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the heavens
looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus,
asleep on the hay.
Narrator And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord
came upon them and the glory
of the Lord shone round about them,
and they were sore afraid. And the angel
said unto them:
Angel Fear not, for behold, I bring you
tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is born
this day in the city of David, a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord.
Song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald angels sing.
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise;
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim.
Chris is born in Bethlehem.
Narrator And it came to pass, as the angels
were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another:
Shepherds Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord made known unto us.
Song The First Noel
The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay.
In fields where they
lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night
that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.
Narrator Now when Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days
of Herod the king, behold,
there later came Wise Men from
the east to Jerusalem. And lo, the star,
which they saw in the east, went
before them, till it came and stood
over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced
with exceeding great joy.
Song Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Oh, come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant.
Oh, come ye, oh come ye
to Bethlehem.
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels;
Oh, come, let us adore him;
Oh, come, let us adore him;
Oh, come, let us adore him,
Christ, the Lord.
Narrator And when they were come into
the house, they saw the young child
with Mary his mother, and fell down,
and worshipped him.
When they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto him
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Song Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King.
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And Saints and angels sing,
And Saints and angels sing,
And Saints, and Saints and angels sing.
Narrator These earthly treasures were
gifts fit for a king. Yet Jesus’ own
gift was the greatest gift of all.
He brought eternal life. Let your
thoughts be upon Him at this time
of year so that you may learn
of Him and follow in His footsteps.
Song Silent Night
Silent night. Holy night.
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace;
Sleep in heavenly peace.
From a former Friend Magazine
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