An adaptable reader’s theatre, made for a zoom presentation, with at least 12 characters. Suitable for either children, or an intergenerational cast.
There’s a lot of voices speaking
all at once, at high volume
as we listen for God’s voice
this Christmas.
Marketers trumpeting,
drawing our attention
to all that we lack,
claiming only they can save us.
It was just too intense, we had to get away.
So much crying, so much sadness.
Mary Magdalene wailing,
Peter groaning out loud every five minutes
and pounding his fists against his knees.
But worst of all was Jesus’ mother Mary
just sitting motionless,
holding her sides, staring into space,
almost as if she was waiting for something.
A pageant designed for Zoom, that can be recorded ahead of time, and played at an in-person service (no stress on Christmas Eve!), or shared on-line. For an intergenerational cast of 15-18 participants. You can look on YouTube for examples of how this has been staged.
1. In the name of Christ, First Born of all Creation,
2. in the name of Jesus, the Second Adam, born of Mary,
3. in the name of Immanuel, the Nazarene, who lived among us,
1. in the name of Christ, the Baptized One, first in obedience,
2. in the name of Jesus, Wilderness Dweller, tried and tested,
3. in the name of Immanuel, Word of Love for all people,
1. in the name of Christ, Healer of our Every Ill,
2. in the name of Jesus, Welcomer of Children,
3. in the name of Immanuel, Beloved Teacher,
1. in the name of Christ, Transfigured Son of God,
2. in the name of Jesus, Bread of Life for the whole word,
Jesus on that last Thursday
weeping in the garden alone,
asks for a different path.
In the depths of fear, asking turns to pleading.
He is in all points tempted as we are
as he seeks the will of God.
A man of sorrows,
acquainted with grief.
And then it is Jesus in chains,
taken where he does not want to go.
During that long restless night in captivity,
The preparations are made in the city of Jerusalem,
in an upper room, for a meal,
the Passover meal.
The feet coming up the stairs are dusty,
they’ve travelled far for this meal,
the Passover meal.
The friends recline together weary and hungry
as the teacher begins the meal,
the Passover meal.
He looks them in the eye and tells them
that he has eagerly desired this meal,
the Passover meal.
A manger scene,
our manger scene,
a tiny little manger scene.
Everywhere we go, we see them.
Mary kneeling, Joseph standing
shepherds with their trailing sheep watching,
wise men with their robes and gifts adoring.
Everyone’s eyes pointing to the baby Jesus,
lying on a bed of hay in a manger.
The wooden beams of the stable sheltering,
the golden angel heralding
and a star shining…..
This poem takes approx. 7.5 minutes to present…it was presented in a worship service preceded by the gospel hymn “God is Love”. Reader One should be a mother.]
One: It was a love story from the beginning.
Two: Come let us all unite to sing, God is love!
Three: Love of Creator for day-by-day creation,
One: love of Adam for Eve,
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.
I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com
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