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| Standard |
Cast:
Reader, Narrator, Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, Celestial Messenger, Roman Soldier, Inn Keeper, Women Fellow Travelers, Shepherds, Sheep, Angels, Three Wise Men
The narrator and reader do all the talking. There are no lines to memorize. Cast members wear costumes, go through the motions, and pose in tableau. An aisle will be needed for processions. Also, provide a simple stable set and a few props.
Casting suggestion: One actor, with minimal costume changes, can play the parts of Gabriel and Celestial Messenger. Another actor can play the parts of Roman Soldier and Inn Keeper.
Carol lyrics:
Provide the audience with a handout of Christmas carol lyrics.
Passages:
Most passages are from The Urantia Book. Two passages from the King James Bible are also featured. Depending on the situation, long passages may need to be shortened or paraphrased.
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Prologue:
Reader:
Read paragraphs 1-7 of Paper 119:7 "The Seventh and Final Bestowal"
Scene 1—Announcement to Mary
Mary kneels by a low table, stirring a bowl.
Narrator:
Mary and Joseph were married during the month of March, 8 B.C. They made their home in a village called Nazareth of Galilee. The following November, Gabriel appeared to Mary.
Gabriel enters and stands in appropriate pose.
Reader:
One evening about sundown, before Joseph had returned home, Gabriel appeared to Mary by the side of a low stone table and, after she had recovered her composure, said: “I come at the bidding of one who is my Master and whom you shall love and nurture. To you, Mary, I bring glad tidings when I announce that the conception within you is ordained by heaven, and that in due time you will become the mother of a son; you shall call him Joshua, and he shall inaugurate the kingdom of heaven on earth and among men. Speak not of this matter save to Joseph and to Elizabeth, your kinswoman, to whom I have also appeared, and who shall presently also bear a son, whose name shall be John, and who will prepare the way for the message of deliverance which your son shall proclaim to men with great power and deep conviction. And doubt not my word, Mary, for this home has been chosen as the mortal habitat of the child of destiny. My benediction rests upon you, the power of the Most Highs will strengthen you, and the Lord of all the earth shall overshadow you.” (122:3.1)
Gabriel exits.
Scene 2—Joseph's Dream
Scene 2—Joseph's Dream
Joseph enters and helps Mary to her feet.
Narrator:
Mary waited some weeks before telling Joseph about the visit of Gabriel. Joseph wanted to believe Mary, but the news of Gabriel's announcement greatly troubled him.
Mary exits. Joseph lays down to sleep, and Celestial Messenger enters.
Reader:
Joseph did not become reconciled to the idea that Mary was to become the mother of an extraordinary child until after he had experienced a very impressive dream. In this dream a brilliant celestial messenger appeared to him and, among other things, said: “Joseph, I appear by command of Him who now reigns on high, and I am directed to instruct you concerning the son whom Mary shall bear, and who shall become a great light in the world. In him will be life, and his life shall become the light of mankind. He shall first come to his own people, but they will hardly receive him; but to as many as shall receive him to them will he reveal that they are the children of God.” After this experience Joseph never again wholly doubted Mary’s story of Gabriel’s visit and of the promise that the unborn child was to become a divine messenger to the world. (122:4.1)
Scene 3—Journey to Bethlehem
Narrator:
Caesar Augustus decreed that all inhabitants of the Roman Empire should be numbered. For this census, Joseph was required to register in Bethlehem.
Roman Soldier exits. Mary enters with provisions in hand. Joseph and Mary look at the proclamation during the reading.
Reader:
It was not necessary that Mary should go to Bethlehem for enrollment — Joseph was authorized to register for his family — but Mary, being an adventurous and aggressive person, insisted on accompanying him. She feared being left alone lest the child be born while Joseph was away, and again, Bethlehem being not far from the City of Judah, Mary foresaw a possible pleasurable visit with her kinswoman Elizabeth.
Joseph virtually forbade Mary to accompany him, but it was of no avail; when the food was packed for the trip of three or four days, she prepared double rations and made ready for the journey. But before they actually set forth, Joseph was reconciled to Mary’s going along, and they cheerfully departed from Nazareth at the break of day.
Joseph and Mary were poor, and since they had only one beast of burden, Mary, being large with child, rode on the animal with the provisions while Joseph walked, leading the beast. (122:7.2-4)
Caesar Augustus decreed that all inhabitants of the Roman Empire should be numbered. For this census, Joseph was required to register in Bethlehem.
Roman Soldier exits. Mary enters with provisions in hand. Joseph and Mary look at the proclamation during the reading.
Reader:
It was not necessary that Mary should go to Bethlehem for enrollment — Joseph was authorized to register for his family — but Mary, being an adventurous and aggressive person, insisted on accompanying him. She feared being left alone lest the child be born while Joseph was away, and again, Bethlehem being not far from the City of Judah, Mary foresaw a possible pleasurable visit with her kinswoman Elizabeth.
Joseph virtually forbade Mary to accompany him, but it was of no avail; when the food was packed for the trip of three or four days, she prepared double rations and made ready for the journey. But before they actually set forth, Joseph was reconciled to Mary’s going along, and they cheerfully departed from Nazareth at the break of day.
Joseph and Mary were poor, and since they had only one beast of burden, Mary, being large with child, rode on the animal with the provisions while Joseph walked, leading the beast. (122:7.2-4)
Mary and Joseph process down the aisle and back again during the song.
"The Friendly Beasts"
Jesus our brother kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother kind and good
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I carried his mother uphill and down
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I, said the sheep, with the curly horn
I gave him my wool for his blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I, said the sheep, with the curly horn
Jesus our brother kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother, kind and good
Scene 4—No Room at the Inn
Inn Keeper enters and greets Mary and Joseph when they arrive back onstage.
Narrator:
Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem by mid-afternoon. But the inn keeper said there was no more room in his establishment.
Reader:
The inn was overcrowded, and Joseph accordingly sought lodgings with distant relatives, but every room in Bethlehem was filled to overflowing. On returning to the courtyard of the inn, he was informed that the caravan stables, hewn out of the side of the rock and situated just below the inn, had been cleared of animals and cleaned up for the reception of lodgers. Leaving the donkey in the courtyard, Joseph shouldered their bags of clothing and provisions and with Mary descended the stone steps to their lodgings below. They found themselves located in what had been a grain storage room to the front of the stalls and mangers. Tent curtains had been hung, and they counted themselves fortunate to have such comfortable quarters. (122:7.7)
Inn Keeper leads Joseph and Mary to the stable, and then exits. Mary sits down and Joseph stands.
Scene 5—Born in a Stable
Narrator:
Joseph and Mary settled into their overnight lodging in the stable. Their child was about to be born.
Reader:
Joseph had thought to go out at once and enroll, but Mary was weary; she was considerably distressed and besought him to remain by her side, which he did.
"The Friendly Beasts"
Jesus our brother kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother kind and good
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I carried his mother uphill and down
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town
I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown
I, said the sheep, with the curly horn
I gave him my wool for his blanket warm,
He wore my coat on Christmas morn;
I, said the sheep, with the curly horn
Jesus our brother kind and good
Was humbly born in a stable rude
And the friendly beasts around Him stood
Jesus our brother, kind and good
Inn Keeper enters and greets Mary and Joseph when they arrive back onstage.
Narrator:
Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem by mid-afternoon. But the inn keeper said there was no more room in his establishment.
Reader:
The inn was overcrowded, and Joseph accordingly sought lodgings with distant relatives, but every room in Bethlehem was filled to overflowing. On returning to the courtyard of the inn, he was informed that the caravan stables, hewn out of the side of the rock and situated just below the inn, had been cleared of animals and cleaned up for the reception of lodgers. Leaving the donkey in the courtyard, Joseph shouldered their bags of clothing and provisions and with Mary descended the stone steps to their lodgings below. They found themselves located in what had been a grain storage room to the front of the stalls and mangers. Tent curtains had been hung, and they counted themselves fortunate to have such comfortable quarters. (122:7.7)
Inn Keeper leads Joseph and Mary to the stable, and then exits. Mary sits down and Joseph stands.
Scene 5—Born in a Stable
Narrator:
Joseph and Mary settled into their overnight lodging in the stable. Their child was about to be born.
Reader:
Joseph had thought to go out at once and enroll, but Mary was weary; she was considerably distressed and besought him to remain by her side, which he did.
All that night Mary was restless so that neither of them slept much. By the break of day the pangs of childbirth were well in evidence, and at noon, August 21, 7 B.C., with the help and kind ministrations of women fellow travelers, Mary was delivered of a male child.
Women Fellow Travelers enter and place the baby Jesus in Mary's arms.
Reader:
Jesus of Nazareth was born into the world, was wrapped in the clothes which Mary had brought along for such a possible contingency, and laid in a near-by manger.
Women Fellow Travelers enter and place the baby Jesus in Mary's arms.
Reader:
Jesus of Nazareth was born into the world, was wrapped in the clothes which Mary had brought along for such a possible contingency, and laid in a near-by manger.
In just the same manner as all babies before that day and since have come into the world, the promised child was born; (122:7.8–122:8.2)
"Away in a Manger"
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
Women Fellow Travelers remain on stage.
Scene 6—Story of the Shepherds in the Field
"Away in a Manger"
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes;
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
Women Fellow Travelers remain on stage.
Scene 6—Story of the Shepherds in the Field
Narrator:
When Jesus was born, angels sang "anthems of glory over the Bethlehem manger". Traditionally, the Christmas story includes the story of shepherds tending their flocks in the field. No Christmas pageant would be complete without shepherds, sheep, and the angelic tidings of great joy. Here is the story from the second chapter of Luke in the King James Bible:
Reader:
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, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:8-14)
During the song, angels lead a procession of shepherds, sheep, and other cast members (except the three wise men) down the aisle and then all pose by the stable.
"Angels from the Realms of Glory"
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Chorus:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Chorus
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen his natal star:
Chorus
Scene 7—Three Wise Men
Narrator:
The traditional Christmas story tells that three wise men followed a brilliant star to find the newborn king of the Jews. Let's hear a few things that Paper 122 says about this visit:
Reader:
These priests from Mesopotamia had been told sometime before by a strange religious teacher of their country that he had had a dream in which he was informed that “the light of life” was about to appear on earth as a babe and among the Jews. And thither went these three teachers looking for this “light of life.” After many weeks of futile search in Jerusalem, they were about to return to Ur when Zacharias met them and disclosed his belief that Jesus was the object of their quest and sent them on to Bethlehem, where they found the babe and left their gifts with Mary, his earth mother. The babe was almost three weeks old at the time of their visit. (122:8.5-6)
… The beautiful legend of the star of Bethlehem originated in this way: Jesus was born August 21 at noon, 7 B.C. On May 29, 7 B.C., there occurred an extraordinary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces. And it is a remarkable astronomic fact that similar conjunctions occurred on September 29 and December 5 of the same year. (122:8.7)
Narrator:
Let us also hear a portion of the story as recorded in the second chapter of Matthew in the King James Bible:
Reader:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. … 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. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11)
During the song, the Three Wise Men process down the aisle, one by one, with their gifts, and then pose by the stable with the rest of the cast.
"O Come All Ye Faithful"
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Chorus
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
Chorus
Narrator:
Thank you all for coming! And we wish you all a Merry Christmas! (Cast may take a bow) We'll sing a final carol as the cast processes out.
Mary and Joseph lead the procession.
"Joy to the World"
Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world! the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, and wonders of His love
###
P.S.
Here is the text for Paper 119:7.1-7 that was used for the Prologue.
When Jesus was born, angels sang "anthems of glory over the Bethlehem manger". Traditionally, the Christmas story includes the story of shepherds tending their flocks in the field. No Christmas pageant would be complete without shepherds, sheep, and the angelic tidings of great joy. Here is the story from the second chapter of Luke in the King James Bible:
Reader:
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, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:8-14)
During the song, angels lead a procession of shepherds, sheep, and other cast members (except the three wise men) down the aisle and then all pose by the stable.
"Angels from the Realms of Glory"
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Chorus:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Chorus
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations,
Ye have seen his natal star:
Chorus
Scene 7—Three Wise Men
Narrator:
The traditional Christmas story tells that three wise men followed a brilliant star to find the newborn king of the Jews. Let's hear a few things that Paper 122 says about this visit:
Reader:
These priests from Mesopotamia had been told sometime before by a strange religious teacher of their country that he had had a dream in which he was informed that “the light of life” was about to appear on earth as a babe and among the Jews. And thither went these three teachers looking for this “light of life.” After many weeks of futile search in Jerusalem, they were about to return to Ur when Zacharias met them and disclosed his belief that Jesus was the object of their quest and sent them on to Bethlehem, where they found the babe and left their gifts with Mary, his earth mother. The babe was almost three weeks old at the time of their visit. (122:8.5-6)
… The beautiful legend of the star of Bethlehem originated in this way: Jesus was born August 21 at noon, 7 B.C. On May 29, 7 B.C., there occurred an extraordinary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces. And it is a remarkable astronomic fact that similar conjunctions occurred on September 29 and December 5 of the same year. (122:8.7)
Narrator:
Let us also hear a portion of the story as recorded in the second chapter of Matthew in the King James Bible:
Reader:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. … 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. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11)
"O Come All Ye Faithful"
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Chorus:
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Chorus
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
Chorus
Narrator:
Thank you all for coming! And we wish you all a Merry Christmas! (Cast may take a bow) We'll sing a final carol as the cast processes out.
Mary and Joseph lead the procession.
"Joy to the World"
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, and wonders of His love
###
P.S.
Here is the text for Paper 119:7.1-7 that was used for the Prologue.
7. The Seventh and Final Bestowal
For tens of thousands of years we all looked forward to the seventh and final bestowal of Michael. Gabriel had taught us that this terminal bestowal would be made in the likeness of mortal flesh, but we were wholly ignorant of the time, place, and manner of this culminating adventure.
The public announcement that Michael had selected Urantia as the theater for his final bestowal was made shortly after we learned about the default of Adam and Eve. And thus, for more than thirty-five thousand years, your world occupied a very conspicuous place in the councils of the entire universe. There was no secrecy (aside from the incarnation mystery) connected with any step in the Urantia bestowal. From first to last, up to the final and triumphant return of Michael to Salvington as supreme Universe Sovereign, there was the fullest universe publicity of all that transpired on your small but highly honored world.
While we believed that this would be the method, we never knew, until the time of the event itself, that Michael would appear on earth as a helpless infant of the realm. Theretofore had he always appeared as a fully developed individual of the personality group of the bestowal selection, and it was a thrilling announcement which was broadcast from Salvington telling that the babe of Bethlehem had been born on Urantia.
We then not only realized that our Creator and friend was taking the most precarious step in all his career, apparently risking his position and authority on this bestowal as a helpless infant, but we also understood that his experience in this final and mortal bestowal would eternally enthrone him as the undisputed and supreme sovereign of the universe of Nebadon. For a third of a century of earth time all eyes in all parts of this local universe were focused on Urantia. All intelligences realized that the last bestowal was in progress, and as we had long known of the Lucifer rebellion in Satania and of the Caligastia disaffection on Urantia, we well understood the intensity of the struggle which would ensue when our ruler condescended to incarnate on Urantia in the humble form and likeness of mortal flesh.
Joshua ben Joseph, the Jewish baby, was conceived and was born into the world just as all other babies before and since except that this particular baby was the incarnation of Michael of Nebadon, a divine Son of Paradise and the creator of all this local universe of things and beings. And this mystery of the incarnation of Deity within the human form of Jesus, otherwise of natural origin on the world, will forever remain unsolved. Even in eternity you will never know the technique and method of the incarnation of the Creator in the form and likeness of his creatures. That is the secret of Sonarington, and such mysteries are the exclusive possession of those divine Sons who have passed through the bestowal experience.
Certain wise men of earth knew of Michael’s impending arrival. Through the contacts of one world with another, these wise men of spiritual insight learned of the forthcoming bestowal of Michael on Urantia. And the seraphim did, through the midway creatures, make announcement to a group of Chaldean priests whose leader was Ardnon. These men of God visited the newborn child in the manger. The only supernatural event associated with the birth of Jesus was this announcement to Ardnon and his associates by the seraphim of former attachment to Adam and Eve in the first garden.
Jesus’ human parents were average people of their day and generation, and this incarnated Son of God was thus born of woman and was reared in the ordinary manner of the children of that race and age.
(End of excerpt 119:7.1-7)
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(End of excerpt 119:7.1-7)
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