Christmas Day Mass

Gospel Reading

Starting Position

Narrators, angels and Augustus to the right

Mary to the aisle

Shepherds, crowds sitting on the floor in front of the first pew

Prop Preparations

Large star to be placed on the floor by the reading/acting area, to be picked up later

Baby to be placed in the stable area (maybe in the reading stand area)

3 Gifts for the baby, to be placed to the left for the Kings to pick up

Donkey to be placed with Mary

Gabriel         

Entrance Move to the centre

Speech     There was once a carpenter whose name was Joseph. He lived with his young wife Mary in Nazareth.  There was an emperor whose name was Augustus, he lived with his soldiers and his slaves in Rome.

One day Augustus said

Exit          Steps down to join Mary (Violin)

Agatha

Entrance Move to the centre, acting as the emporer

Speech     I want to know how many people I rule over.  Everyone must go back to the place where his family lived and be counted

Exit Steps down the steps to join the shepherds and crowds

Violin and Gabriel

Entrance   Slowly walk up the aisle as Daniel starts reading

Daniel

Entrance Move to the centre

Speech     Joseph and Mary had to go on a long journey to Bethlehem.  Mary was riding on a donkey.  They met many people on the way who were also going to be counted.  Joseph was very worried about Mary because she was going to have a baby.

Exit          Steps down to the left of the shepherds, to wait returning as a King

Violin and Gabriel

Entrance   Go up the steps on the right in the front of the altar, and slowly stops to look for a place to stay, while Evina reads, and settling in the end to the left at the stable area

Evina

Entrance   Move to the centre

Speech     When they reached Bethlehem there were crowds of people in the narrow streets, all pushing to get somewhere to sleep for the night.  The only place Mary and Joseph could find was a stable.  Joseph gathered some straw to make a soft bed for Mary.

Exit          Steps down to the left of the shepherds, to wait returning as a King

Violin and Gabriel

Entrance   Pick up a baby as Alice announces Jesus is born

Alice

Entrance   Move to the centre

Speech     In the silence of the night, Mary’s son was born.  She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

In the fields nearby there were some shepherds caring for their flocks – suddenly there was a great light shining all around them.  They heard a voice speak:

Exit         Steps down to the left of the shepherds, to wait returning as a King

Elizabeth

Entrance Move to the centre

Speech     Do not be afraid.  I bring you news that will make you and everybody on earth very happy.  Today in Bethlehem, the city of David, a Saviour was born.  He is Christ the Lord.  You will know him when you find a little baby all wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger

Exit          Moves to stand behind Mary and Joseph to guard over them, holding out arms if she can manage it

Caroline

Entrance   Move to the centre

Speech     Suddenly, the air was filled with the beautiful singing of angels: “Glory to God in the highest heaven! Peace to all people on earth”.

 The shepherds set off to find the baby – they were so happy when they found Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus lying in the manger.  When they left they went to tell everybody the good news. 

Exit          Stay standing at the spot, pick up the star from behind her and hold it up very high

Shepherds (if there are any)

Entrance Go up to the stable area, and sit there worshipfully

3 Kings (Daniel, Evina, Alice) and their train (camels, servants)

Entrance   Walk up to the star (Caroline)

Star (Caroline)

Entrance   Wait for the 3 Kings to come up the steps, then lead them to the stable

3 Kings (Daniel, Evina, Alice)

Entrance   Follow the star to the stable, and then give their gifts to Mary and Joseph for baby Jesus

Leo

Entrance   Move to the centre, and read slowly, maybe pace it with the 3 Kings arriving, the star leading them to the stable, and them giving the gifts.

Speech     Meanwhile, there were three wise men who lived in the East, and they were waiting to see a special star in the sky which would lead them to the place where Jesus was born.  As soon as the star appeared in the West, they set off to look for Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

They journeyed many miles, following the star, which led them to the stable.  They brought with them their special gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.  The kings were very happy now that they had found the Prince of Peace.

The End