This beautiful Christmas program was submitted by N. Johnson from Noblesville, Indiana
Ward Christmas Party Program 2019
Personnel needed: Narrator, 6 Prophets in period dress, the Angel Gabriel dressed in white, Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Musicians
*Scene: Curtain opens and a lone stable and manger surrounded by a few trees can be seen slightly to one side (so there is room for the shepherds later). The narrator is off the stage to the side with a microphone. There is a separate standing mic on stage. After the narrator speaks, each prophet comes on stage to speak his prophecy in turn
Narrator:
The prophet Abinadi declared:
“Did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even ALL the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?
“Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth?” (Mosiah 13:33–34).
It is true. The coming of Jesus Christ has been prophesied about since the world began. His birth, ministry, atonement, and resurrection are the most pivotal events in the history of the world. You have the privilege tonight to meet some of those prophets. Listen to their words as they prophesy. Open your heart and let the Spirit testify to you of the significance of your Savior’s birth.
Isaiah
I am Isaiah. I lived about 700 years before the birth of Christ. I announced the coming birth of the Messiah when I said, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel… For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6
Song - Oh Come Oh Come Immanuel – for SATB quartet or choir with cello/piano accompaniment by Marshall McDonald
Micah
I am Micah. I also lived about 700 years before Christ. I foretold where Christ would be born: “But thou, Beth-lehem…though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting…..And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God” - Micah chapter 5, verses 2 and 4
Nephi
I am Nephi. About 600 years before Christ was born, I saw a vision in which an angel said unto me: “Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.
And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” – 1 Nephi 11, verses 18-21
Song – O Holy Night (Arranged by Stephen DeCesare) – Instrumental – Trumpet, Horn, Tuba, and Piano
King Benjamin
I am King Benjamin. I prophesied 124 years before the coming of my Lord:
“For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.
And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.” – Mosiah 3, verses 5 and 8
Alma
I am Alma. About 83 years before his birth, I began to prepare my people for the coming of Christ:
“for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth…And behold, he shall be born of Mary…she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.” – Alma 7, verses 9 and 10
Narrator: Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus.” As you hear the prophecies foretold of Christ, do you wonder at the impact his birth has had on your life? Have you made room for him in your heart?
Song - Do You Have Room? – Women’s duet or trio (or we can double up on parts if more want to sing) with piano accompaniment
Video link (this is the solo version but it will give you an idea of the piece): https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-itm-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=itm&p=do+you+have+room#id=1&vid=f724eb0ca5a617b67f8de890f4bb79d8&action=click
Music link: https://shawnaedwardsmusic.com/collections/do-you-have-room/products/do-you-have-room-for-trio-ssa-piano
Samuel the Lamanite
My name is Samuel. I am a Lamanite, and five years before the birth of His son, my God sent me to the Nephites to warn them that their time to prepare was quickly coming to an end:
“Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming…in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness…there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night…
And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld…And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.
And behold, thus hath the Lord commanded me… that I should…cry unto this people, repent and prepare the way of the Lord…
And ye shall hear my words, for, for this intent have I come up upon the walls of this city…that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name.” - Helaman 14: verses 2-6, 9, 11 and 12
The Angel Gabriel and Mary (Luke 1:26-33, 38)
*Scene: Mary enters and sits on a chair holding a basket. The Angel Gabriel approaches (with a cordless mic)
Narrator: the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph…and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Gabriel: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Narrator: And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her,
Gabriel: Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest…he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end
Mary: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (Gabriel holds mic for Mary as she speaks then hands it to her after she puts her basket down and stands)
*Gabriel leaves the stage and Mary stands with a look of wonder on her face as she sings:
Song - “Look on Me this Day” from Savior of the World – solo sung by Mary w/recorded accompaniment
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/music/savior-of-the-world/download-material?lang=eng
(Accompaniment recording is saved on our computer in Itunes)
Narrator: As Mary and Joseph prepared for the Savior’s birth, those in the Americas experienced a trial of their faith as they watched “steadfastly for athat day and that night and that day which should be as one day…that they might know that their faith had not been vain.
Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.… when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God…all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:
Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets. (3 Ne. 1: 8-13)
Song - Silent night - duet played by violin and cello starts right after the previous narration ends and continues as the Nativity is acted out (entire duet is 2:10 minutes long, which is too long, but they can skip one verse and it will be perfect – after measure 26, jump to measure 51 and play to the end)
Silent Night Violin Cello Duet Two Tonalities Included by Franz Xaver Gruber https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/silent-night-violin-cello-duet-two-tonalities-included-digital-sheet-music/20816639
Nativity
*While the narrator reads the nativity story, silent actors act it out on stage.
Narrator: (Luke 2: 1-10) – start after the song’s introduction and the first “silent night”
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
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 the angel said unto them,
*Start “Glory to God in the Highest” recording at 0:54 seconds. (The Angel speaks with music in the background and it ends with a glorious song) This is from the Savior of the World production https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/music/savior-of-the-world/download-material?lang=eng
(Recording is saved on our computer in Itunes)
*The shepherds look heavenward as the angel speaks.
During the first musical interlude, Isaiah and Micah enter the stage from one side
During the 2nd interlude, Nephi, King Benjamin, and Alma enter from the other side
As the 3rd interlude starts Samuel, and Gabriel enter
The choir has been singing in the background and they enter the stage (as the hosts of heaven) at measure 15 of Glory to God in the Highest
All of the performers sing the final part of the song with the recording. Then lights out.
Bishop comes out and shares his testimony
A closing prayer is given
Bishop invites anyone who has a giving tree gift to come place them in the manger
