Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Buddhist
A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Last updated on: November 1, 2011 at 3:03 pm by James Ford

A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT 2011-11-01T15:03:23-07:00 James Ford

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Living Nativity Service

First Unitarian Church

Of Providence

in Rhode Island

19 December 2010

This service is based upon an original produced by the First Parish, Unitarian Universalist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has undergone serious revision over the ensuing years. The principal authors of the revisions are Noreen Kimball and James Ishmael Ford, but diverse hands have had their input…

(Holy family, star, wise people all gather early to the “front” of the church. One stage manager should go down to the platform, others to the “front” of the church. Pick up players will be instructed to go the area near the front doors for costuming and will process up all three isles as instructed. stage manager note: Head angel & associate Head angels will need to discretely go into the pulpit area from front pews during offertory…)

Prelude Holiday Medley

Welcome and Announcements Martha Rice Sanders

Hymn #235 “Deck the Hall”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihwLr4iyRPE?fs=1

Lighting the Chalice & Call to Worship

(Introit or Rise Up Oh Flame)

Prayer & Silent Meditation

Offertory

The Pageant

READER James

This is the Solstice, or so, so close. This is that pause between the darkest day of winter and the slow, but sure march toward spring. We respond to solstice just as people have been responding to it since the beginning of humankind. The signal fires that leapt through the night from hill to answering hill as the sun gradually, finally returned have today become flickering lights on the menorah, the pristine white lights on Christmas trees, gaudy-colored lights in city parks and suburban neighborhoods. The ancients knew these lights dispel the gloom, and remind us all that spring will return. To notice and to acknowledge this not only honors our ancestors all the way back, but very much speaks of our own hearts, our own longing in our darkest moments for the breaking dawn.

So, of course, as naturally as an apple ripens, we reach to the simple, sacred stories that make this a season of the heart. Despite all the distractions, despite the craziness of this many or that many days until gifts are given, despite the crassness of commerce at its most avarice, we are each year given a deep gift. Each year this season stops us long enough to pay attention to each other and to our own hearts, and from that to try to do what we can to make this a sign of hope, to once again try to be what we should be—not so much more faithful, nor devout, but more human, more gentle, more careful of love.

We celebrate to prepare ourselves for the long, cold season that is waiting outside this Meeting House. And it works. That old holiday Christmas is such a beguiler; it wins us over every time. During this waiting, the months of December and January and bitter February and sometimes even more bitter March, we will keep the memory of the midwinter lights and the midwinter celebrations.

And so this morning is a revel—a gathering of song, a retelling of stories so old, they have been used as themes in religions from before memory right down to this day, to today. This story of hope birthing in the midst of night; of hope held within a child, an ordinary child, will be told again today in our own way.

(Announce hymn)

HYMN During the pageant please remain seated for all hymns and carols. # 244 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaMNk_Hc8mQ?fs=1

READER Cathy

Those who study the stories from the Bible suspect the story of Jesus’ birth almost certainly is a story that takes place in the spring. But over the course of time, certainly by the early middle ages – more than fifteen hundred years ago, and maybe a bit more – Christians were celebrating this event in the mid-winter, actually a really good spot for a story of hope birthing in the night.

And, of course, that is the heart of the matter. The Christmas story is not only the wonderful story of the birth of the baby Jesus, but very much the story of hope arising at the darkest part of the year. It is a story about our lives, and how in the worst times, if we look deeply within our hearts, we can find the seed of new life. And that is the story that calls to so many of us here.

And so today, rather than just hear a story, we’re going to demonstrate how it is a living thing, or can be, by doing it ourselves. As the story unfolds we hope many of you will take parts in our do-it-yourself Christmas pageant.

READER James

Now we’re Unitarian Universalists, so we are going to read the story slightly re-written from Luke’s account. But, don’t worry; we will all recognize the familiar characters and the familiar plot.

And, for all of us, but particularly those who take on the various parts: don’t worry about mistakes. There are no mistakes; certainly not in sacred time, in a time like this where we are inviting ourselves to be present to hope and to joy.

This story is a beautiful and meaningful one and all we’re called to do, is notice it, to allow it to enter our hearts. The rest is details.

So, let’s begin.

READER Cathy

Imagine a humble carpenter and his wife, and the baby born to them in a stable; shepherds in a starlit field who leave their sheep to go and see the new-born child; and, gentle animals who gather ‘round in the stable where the baby lies in a manger. Imagine that in this story, everyone is longing for peace on earth and good will to all people, everywhere.

READER James

Imagine that you are hearing a story that questions the power of large armies and great wealth.

READER Cathy

Imagine a story in which three powerful, wise souls and humble shepherds celebrate one tiny, newborn child.

READER James

Imagine that you hear a story that talks about the transforming power of love.

READER Cathy

In those days, long, long ago, two thousand years ago and more, a decree – an announcement – went out from the Emperor, Caesar Augustus, who as it turns out looks remarkably like our local state senator saying,

(blaring horns)

READER (as Caesar) Sen. Rhoda Perry

Dramatic entrance. Hand-held mic.

All the world should be registered so they can pay taxes to me!

READER James

We need some First, Second & Third Grade stars now – as many as possible. Please go back to the front doors where the stage managers are now waving. Also, please note, we don’t card anyone for any of these parts. If your heart is second or third grade, please feel free to join in.

We also need some animals—as many as possible. It would be nice if most to come from the Fourth and Fifth Grades. And remember, that includes those fourth and fifth grade hearts. Please, go to the back of the Meeting House where your horns, fur and feathers are waiting.

Stars go over to the back and they are each given a star. Animals go too and get costumed. Fred will provide “traveling” music here…

READER Cathy

All the people were required to go to the town where they had been born to register and for some people that meant a long journey.

(Stars, led by YMODE line the aisle on both sides. Joseph & Mary & family and their donkey then slowly, that is we mean, slowly, begin making their way up the aisle toward the front.)

READER James

Joseph, a carpenter, had to go all the way from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David that was called Bethlehem, the same village of Bethlehem that is there still today. Joseph went together with Mary to be registered. Joseph and Mary had to travel a long way, and they knew it would not be easy because Mary was expecting a child very soon and she would be very uncomfortable both walking and riding on their donkey. But there was nothing that could be done about it; they had to go. So, they started on their journey, traveling by day and sometimes through the dark nights lit only by bright stars.

(Holy family pause, if necessary, at first pews.)

MUSIC

(During music stars proceed to front pews, take seats. Holy family takes seats on platform.)

READER Cathy

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have her baby, but there was no room in the Inn, the only place with comfortable beds. Joseph looked everywhere but the only place he could find for Mary to give birth to the baby was a stable behind the Inn where there were a donkey, two mice, a horse, two bunnies, a cow, a couple of cats, a dog, two pigs, two ducks and maybe a camel. And many other animals – parrots, lions, wild boars, unicorns, reindeer, elephants, a zebra, a Gila monster, maybe even a manatee.

While we are singing the next carol, the animals will all go down to the manger, where they will mill about, trying not to cause trouble. And that means you, Mr Elephant.

HYMN #233 “Bring a Torch: English verses 1 & 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtDbBd8yh9U?fs=1

(Animals to Manger area. Mill around. Try not to cause trouble.)

READER James

Now we have our manger, and our scene is beginning to be set. Next, of course, we need some Shepherds…and their sheep. First, I’d like to invite any Sixth and Seventh graders to the back. And, of course, sixth and junior high of the heart folk.

READER Cathy

The animals welcomed Mary and Joseph into the stable, and the animals were even kind enough to give up their hay-filled manger so the baby could have a bed. And meanwhile, there were shepherds out in the countryside watching their flocks.

(Animals move to surround them. And the shepherds move up the aisle and stop at the end of the pews, facing the manger. Stage manager will help)

Shepherds and Sheep up aisles to Platform.

READER James

Now we need about ten angels drawn from Pre-school and Kindergarteners to join our YMODE angels. And others called to be angels, naturally. Head to the back, please.

READER Cathy

Thus, Mary gave birth to her firstborn child in a stable, surrounded by animals, and wrapped him up in bands of cloth and placed him in the manger.

(Announce Hymn)

HYMN #243 “Jesus Our Brother” vs 1 – 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC3CXy0Kzmk?fs=1

K1 angels stay in place until their music cue “then there was with the angel a multitude…”when they walk down and stand on the seats in the round pews…

READER (over the quiet music) James

It was late at night. The Shepherds were drowsy.

READER Cathy

Then an angel stood before them.

MUSIC “And Suddenly” from “The Messiah”, sung by our soloist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_cKSSpGqwU?fs=1

Head angel pops up from hidden spot during solo.

READER James

And this angel was truly magnificent and the glory of God shone around the shepherds, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them…

Head Angel

Do not be afraid, for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people. To you is born this day in the city of David a child of hope. Let this be a sign to you. You will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.

Note: Large print text placed on pulpit.

READER Cathy

And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of angels, saying…

Associate Head angels leap up and stand, saying…

Associate Head Angels

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and goodwill to all!

(shepherds & sheep begin to walk down aisles)

READER James

With joy and delight the shepherds went with their flocks to Bethlehem to see the baby.

Shepherds into position.

As the story goes, the wise people from the East were following a star to Bethlehem. They were bringing gifts to the child of hope.

Wise People (Three presidents) being to process, following “the Star.” Large cut out star held aloft on long pole carried.

MUSIC

Note: during the song, stage manager will “artfully” arrange the shepherds, sheep, animals and angels into a tableau, allowing for a space for the Wise People.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayB7gAUdrG4?fs=1

READER Cathy

The wise souls followed the star until it stopped over the stable where the newborn child was lying.

The star has been carried to around Up Stage of the Manger, and is held up high directly over the manger and the baby

When the wise souls saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy and entered the stable.

Now the wise persons go to the manger and kneel down and take out gifts.

There they saw the child with its mother and offered their gifts that they had brought with them.

The whole cast now holds the scene.

READER James

Now that we have gathered our whole cast of characters, let us pause for a moment. Behold. (pause)

Contemplating all this, what took us to this moment, the pain and suffering and joy yet to follow, all encompassed within the fullness of our human lives, let us join together in reading # 616.

READER Cathy

As our cast returns to their seats in the pews, let us join together in hymn #237, “The First Nowell.”

Hymn #237, “The First Nowell.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neWPmsn2E4w?fs=1

Extinguish Chalice

Postlude

Benediction Cathy

Shalom

THE ASSIGNED PARTS AND GRADES

Jesus/Mary/Joseph changes yearly

Stars 2nd & 3rd

Animals 4th & 5th

Shepherds and Sheep 6th, 7th & 8th

Lead Angels Youth

Angels Ks, 1s & Youth

Star

Caesar

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 18, 2010

Santa Claus, God & Critical Thinking: A Meditation in Honor of Christmas

Next Post

December 21, 2010 Wishing Everyone a Blessed Solstice

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Christmas Carol Abolitionist African-American Ahmadiyya Alan Watts Aldous Huxley Allen Ginsberg Amedkar Jayanti American politics American Zen Anaheim Zen Sangha Anglican Annie Besant April Fool Armageddon Art and Religion artificial intellegence Atheist Awakening B R Ambedkar Barlaam & Josaphat Beatnik Between Bhagavad Gita Bible biography birthday bodhisattva Bodhisattva Precepts Book burning Book of Common Prayer Book of Mormon Brahmo Samaj Buddha Buddhism Buddhist Buddhist Lord's Prayer Butterflies Calendars cartoons cat ChatGPT Chicken Tortilla Soup choices Christian atheism Christian mysticism Christian origins Christian Science Christian Zen Christianity Christianity and Buddhism christmas Christmas Truce Christopher Isherwood Church of Later Day Saints Cinco de Mayo circus covenant critical thinking culture D. T. Suzuki Dalit Buddhism Daniel Defoe Desert Fathers and Mothers dharma talk Dogen Donald Trump Dongshan's Five Ranks Dorothy Day dream Duty Easter ecology Edwin Arnold emptiness Empty Moon Zen Network Episcopal Church Eternal Now Ethics evolution existentialism Faith fantasy Fathers Day film film review fire Five Ranks Folk music food Form and emptiness Four Seals Francis of Assisi Francis Xavier Free thinker friendship George MacDonald Gerald Heard Glenn Taylor Webb God Good Friday Gospel of Gospel of Mark Gospel of Thomas grace Graduate Theological Unioin Graduate Theological Union Guanyin H R Blyth Hakuin Ekaku Hanamatsuri Hanukkah Harada Yasutani Zen Heart Sutra Henry David Thoreau Hermann Hesse Hinduism History and Religion history of religion Holy Spirit home Hospitality Icon Ides of March Isaac Newton Islam Islamic mysticism Jack Kerouac James Luther Adams Jiddu Krishnamurti Joan of Arc Johannes Gutenberg John Donne joke Judaism justice karma kensho King James Bible koan Koun Yamada Kyoto School Lewis Carrol Liberal Christianity Liberal Religion Life Plan Community Liminal literature Literature and Religion Liturgy Lord's Prayer Love Mahatma Gandhi Mahayana Martin Luther King Jr Mary Baker Eddy Mary Magdelene Mary Oliver Mayflower Compact Meditation memories memory metaphor money money and religioin Mormons Mother's Day movie review mysticism mythic Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church New Thought Nichiren Buddhism Nonduality not knowing Omar Khayyam Pacific School of Religion pagan Palm Sunday Passover peace Pentecost perennialism Phantastes Philip Kapleau philosophy Pilgrimage poetry Poetry and Religion politics Prayer Precepts Printing Press prophecy prophetic spirituality psychology Pure Land Queer religion queering religion Quietism Ram Mohan Roy rebirth recipe Relationships and religion religion religion and history Religious syncretism Resistance Retirement Retreat review Rissho Kosei Kai Ritual Robert Aitken Roshi Robert Ingersoll Rohatsu Romani religion Rosie the Riveter saints samadhi SanboZen Sangha Satyagraha science science and reigion science and religion science fiction seminary sermon Sesshin Sex and Religion Shinran Sikh Sikh tradition silence Social Justice Socially Engaged Buddhism Society and religion Soto Zen soul spiritual community spiritual practice Spirituality Sufism Suicide superstition Taoism Television Teresa of Avila Thanksgiving theological schools Theosophy Thomas Merton Time Transcendentalism Transcendentalist Trinitarian Trinity Uncategorized unitarian Unitarian Christianity Unitarian Universalist Universalism Vajrayana Vedanta Walking war Willa Cather William Ellery Channing wisdom women and religion women in religion World Teacher Writing zazen Zen Zen Center Zen inspired retriement zen meditation Zen Precepts Zen women

Select a Month September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was known for interpreting dreams in Babylon?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Daniel Joseph David