Go Tell It on the Mountain: Three Christmas Pageants for Church Schools
128
Go Tell It on the Mountain: Three Christmas Pageants for Church Schools
128eBook
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780898697322 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Church Publishing |
| Publication date: | 08/01/2012 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 128 |
| File size: | 7 MB |
Read an Excerpt
Go, Tell It on the Mountain
Three Christmas Pageants for Church Schools
By Gretchen Wolff Pritchard
Church Publishing Incorporated
Copyright © 2001 Gretchen Wolff PritchardAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-89869-732-2
CHAPTER 1
Good News of Great Joy
Notes to Pageant One
This pageant would be a good choice for a first venture into drama with your Sunday school, and it would work well either as part of the Sunday morning service or as a separate afternoon or evening event, including Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. (Bear in mind that if you schedule your pageant right before Christmas, you will be burdened with last-minute planning and crises right up to the holiday; and if you schedule it right after Christmas, you need to be the sort of person who is willing to spend Christmas with the pageant still hanging over you.) This script is straightforward and literal in concept and entirely within the understanding even of first-graders. It tells the Nativity narratives in order, and adds the prophecies from Isaiah to place them in context.
Children need the most help from their director with 1) memorization of their parts; and 2) dramatic timing. There are a relatively large number of speaking parts in this play, because we found that the possession of a speaking part was an important status symbol. But speaking parts mean work at home, and careful drill at rehearsal—on speaking slowly enough, and loud enough to be heard; on expression; and most of all on pace and cues. It is not obvious to children, as they read from a script, that lines should pick up from each other like natural dialogue. They wait for the previous speaker to finish, and then they come in. To make the dialogue sound natural, the director needs to spend the early rehearsals behaving like a choral conductor, training the children to watch for gestures that will "bring them in" at a pace that will at first seem excessively fast to them—while continuing to make sure that the actual words of their dialogue are spoken unnaturally slowly. Then, by the full rehearsals, the director needs to have determined exactly what cue governs each speech, action, entrance, etc. Many of the stage directions simply specify "during singing;" the director needs to tell the children exactly which line of the song is their cue to their specified action. (See Appendix I for a sample "cue sheet.")
Many of the performers in this pageant spend much of their time waiting to go on. They should, of course, be seated in assigned spaces, based on their order of entrance; these seating arrangements should be worked out in advance of the first full rehearsal. It is wise to mix some adults with the children, with the dual role of keeping order and making sure that all the angels, sheep, etc. leave their seats and get ready to go on at the proper time.
Staging
The script presupposes the following conditions. The stage, or chancel, can be approached from either side, and also by means of a center aisle through the audience (congregation). On at least one side of the stage area there is a way to exit into the "wings," more or less hidden from the congregation, and a relatively inconspicuous route from the wings back to the rear of the congregation so as to re-enter by the center aisle. Children who are not on stage are seated in some place from which they can be heard as they sing the carols, and from which they can conveniently come on stage either by the side access or by coming up the center aisle. The first rows of pews will work well, but transept pews or (if there is a rood screen to hide them from clear view) choir stalls might also work. A balcony could be used very creatively if you are lucky enough to have one. The Narrator is in a pulpit or lectern. Two "inns," from which Innkeepers can emerge, are suggested at two points on the stage, either by purpose-built scenery or by some more stylized means such as a screen.
Costumes
If you have done a Christmas pageant before, you probably already have costumes for Mary, Joseph, Angels, Shepherds, Kings, and perhaps the Ox, Donkey, and Sheep. The only other costumes required by this script are those for the Narrator, the Innkeepers, and the Star, plus Page(s) and Sheepdog, if you include them. Innkeepers can wear the same sort of robes as Mary and Joseph, and the Star can wear an angel costume (without wings) or something very similar. Acolyte robes are very appropriate for the Narrator. For details on all costumes, see Appendix I.
Props
The following items are essential to the action:
• A box of some kind, filled with straw or excelsior, for the manger. (A wooden or slatted crate looks fine, or a cardboard box may be painted.)
• A baby doll, preferably not too small, not too stiff, and not too "cute," for the Christ Child. (We have a parish tradition of allowing the girl who plays Mary to supply the baby doll, which has led to some interesting situations; we have even occasionally used a live baby, and it works out surprisingly well and also, of course, brings down the house!)
• A length of white cloth, wrapped securely around the baby doll.
• A star on a pole, for the child playing the Star to carry. The star can be an ornament intended for the top of a Christmas tree, or a homemade cardboard (spray-painted gold) or foil star, mounted on a pole and carried like a processional cross; it can be made of metallic fabric, stuffed, and dangled from the end of a pole; or a lighted taper may be used.
• Gifts for the Three Kings:
Gold: a jewelry box, the bigger and gaudier the better; or a gold crown.
Frankincense: ideally, a lighted thurible with ample smoke curling out of it; failing that, another jewelry box or a crimson or purple velvet pouch.
Myrrh: a perfume bottle, as large and exotic in appearance as you can manage.
Suggested additional props, for atmosphere (use your imagination here):
• Staffs for Joseph and some of the Shepherds.
• Jug and dishtowel for the INNKEEPER to hold.
• Leather satchels, toy lambs (if not too small), baskets, other "country" accessories for the Shepherds. (Let the children assemble their own accessories, and encourage them to be imaginative.)
• Lighted candles for all the Angels (but only, of course, if the children playing them are old enough to manage lighted candles safely).
• Tambourines, bells, maracas, etc. for the Shepherds.
• Banners for attendants on the Three Kings to carry.
Music
It's a nice idea to distinguish the carols within the pageant from normal hymns, by having them accompanied by some other instruments) than the organ. We have been lucky enough to have a number of adults who play the recorder, and we've always had a recorder consort to accompany the carols. Then, at the end, when the organ strikes up "Go, Tell It on the Mountain," it makes a rousing conclusion. Whoever accompanies the pageant carols has to be at the dress rehearsal, because many of the cues will be provided by lines in the carols; in addition, if the children are going to sing them at all, they need to practice the lead-ins for them.
If at all possible, the carols "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "Unto Us a Boy is Born!" and "We Three Kings"—which contribute to the dramatic action rather than being mere interludes—should be sung by the Angels, Shepherds, and Kings, as assigned, rather than the congregation.
If you have children who can play the recorder, harmonica, autoharp, or other appropriate instrument, the "pause" provided on page 12 (Scene IV) would be a good time for one or more of your Shepherds to lull their sleeping companions with a tune.
Inclusive Language
• In Narrator's speech on page 8, "the weaned child shall put its hand" replaces the Revised Standard Version language, "the weaned child shall put his hand."
• In stanza 7 of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," The Hymnal 1982, #56, "humankind" replaces "all mankind."
• In stanza 3 of "Unto Us a Boy is Born!" The Hymnal 1982, #98, "all flesh" replaces "all men."
• In stanza 2 of "Go, Tell It On the Mountain," the word "watcher" replaces "watchman."
Good News of Great Joy
Cast of Characters
SPEAKING PARTS
Narrator (lines may be divided among several children)
Mary
Gabriel
Innkeeper 1
Innkeeper 2
Wife of Innkeeper 2
Shepherd 1
Shepherd 2
Shepherd 3
Shepherd 4
Angel of the Lord
(may be the same as Gabriel)
King 1
King 2
King 3
CHORUSES
Additional shepherds
Angels
WALKS-ON
Sheep
Ox
Donkey
Sheepdog
Star (may be played by one
of the Angels)
Page (one or more) attending the
Three Kings
Scenes
I. The Prophecy of Isaiah
II. The Annunciation
III. The Arrival in Bethlehem
IV. The Shepherds
V. The Adoration of the Shepherds
VI. The Magi
Scene I The Prophecy of Isaiah
Enter Narrator and stand in pulpit.
Narrator In this holy season we celebrate good news of great joy: God has sent his Son to live among us and fulfill his purpose. Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah, foretelling the birth of the Messiah and the coming of his kingdom.
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Carol: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
(sung by congregation, stanzas 1, 4, and 7)
—The Hymnal 1982, #56
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, thou Branch of Jesse s tree,
free them from Satan s tyranny
that trust thy mighty power to save,
and give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of humankind;
bid thou our sad divisions cease,
and be thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel!
During singing, enter Mary and kneel at center of stage.
Scene II The Annunciation
Narrator The birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
Enter Gabriel.
Gabriel Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.
Mary recoils in surprise.
Gabriel Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Mary How shall this be, since I have no husband?
Gabriel The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born of you will be called holy, the Son of God. For with God nothing will be impossible.
Mary Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
Exit Gabriel.
Narrator And the angel departed from her.
Carol: "Of the Father's Love Begotten"
(sung by congregation, stanzas 1 and 2)
—The Hymnal 1982, #82
Of the Father s love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
O that birth for ever blessed,
when the Virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bore the Savior of our race;
and the Babe, the world s Redeemer,
first revealed his sacred face,
evermore and evermore!
During singing: enter Joseph. Mary rises and turns to him. Joseph and Mary go off stage by side route and make their way to rear of congregation.
Innkeepers and Wife of Innkeeper 2 take places in the "inns."
Scene III The Arrival in Bethlehem
Narrator In those days a decree went out from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee ...
(Enter Joseph and Mary, slowly, up center aisle, Mary leaning on Joseph.)
... from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David; to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
Mary and Joseph halt partway up the aisle.
Joseph (pointing ahead) Look, Mary! I see the lights of David's city.
Mary Thanks be to God. I can scarcely go another step.
They go slowly on, till they reach the first "inn."
Joseph Take heart, Mary. Here is an inn. We will ask for lodging.
Joseph knocks at inn. Innkeeper 1 puts out head.
Innkeeper 1 Who's there?
Joseph Two travelers, seeking lodging.
Innkeeper 1 What can you pay?
Joseph We are poor people, sir; we ...
Innkeeper 1 (interrupting) I have no room for such as you!
Mary Is there another inn, please?
Innkeeper 1 Try over the way!
(Gestures in direction of second inn.)
Perhaps they may take you!
Goes back into inn.
Joseph Come, Mary.
(They proceed across stage to second inn.)
This must be the place.
Joseph knocks. Innkeeper 2 and Wife emerge.
Innkeeper 2 The inn's full up! No lodging to be had!
Joseph I beseech you, sir ... my wife's time is upon her ...
Wife Mercy on us! What shall we do for this poor woman? I know! Come, we'll put you in the stable. It isn't much, but it's warm and dry—will that do?
Mary You are very kind ...
Wife takes Mary by the arm; she and Joseph lead Mary off stage by side route. Innkeeper 2 retires.
Narrator And she gave birth to her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Go, Tell It on the Mountain by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard. Copyright © 2001 Gretchen Wolff Pritchard. Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
Contents
Preface.................... ix
Introduction.................... xi
Pageant One: Good News of Great Joy....................
Notes to Pageant One.................... 3
Script for Pageant One.................... 7
Music for Pageant One.................... 18
Pageant Two: A Child of Might....................
Notes to Pageant Two.................... 27
Script for Pageant Two.................... 33
Music for Pageant Two.................... 44
Pageant Three: People, Look East....................
Notes to Pageant Three.................... 51
Pageant Three Liturgy.................... 65
Music for Pageant Three.................... 87
Appendices....................
Appendix I: Costumes and Cue Sheets.................... 103
Appendix II: Worksheet for Writing the Great Thanksgiving.................. 110