It’s a tradition. Every year, we put up Christmas trees, exchange gifts, and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Its a tradition. Every year the children of our Preschool (Our Father’s House) gathers for the annual Christmas pageant (entitled “The True Story of Christmas”). Kids dress in costumes, stand on their designated “Xs” marked by tape on the carpet, and parents raise their cell phones to take pictures. It’s a celebration of kids and Christmas…..
The tradition continued this year. On the morning of December 8 (and again during the Sunday worship service on December 11), 41 pre-K kids took their places on the Chancel and performed the “True Story of Christmas.”
The True Story of Christmas:
A play told by the children of Our Father’s House…
The program is a series of songs: played on the piano and brought to life by singing, motions, props, and costumes. The kids take their places on the chancel and the “stage” is filled with young actors portraying characters such as Mary and Joseph, shepherds, Wise men, “friendly beasts”, angels, and even a pajama-clad youngster ready to wake up on Christmas morning. Preschool Director Eileen Salmon reads a narration introducing each song, and the children tell each part of the Christmas story through their costumes, music, and actions.
The Story of Christmas takes us to Bethlehem and brings us to the worship and celebration of our Savior / Messiah. Follow the journey by opening each “drop down” box…
Prepare for Jesus…
O Come Little Children
O come, little children, O come, one and all. O come to the manger in Bethlehem’s stall; And see baby Jesus asleep in the hay.
Knock Knock Knock
Long ago in the city of Nazareth, an angel appeared before a young woman named Mary. The angel told Mary: “God has chosen you to be the mother of His Son, Jesus.” Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, a young carpenter. After the angel appeared to Joseph and told him about the baby too, Mary and Joseph were married. Not long after, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. When Mary and Joseph came to Bethlehem, it was late at night and they were very tired.
Knock, knock, knock went Joseph At an Inn in Bethlehem. Can you shelter a family And be a big help to them? “No Room! No Room!” said the man in Bethlehem.
Note: This video is from the 2019 pageant. The pianist then was “Mr. Mike” Murphy, who passed away in 2021…
Friendly Beasts
Jesus our brother, kind and good, Was humbly born in a stable. And the friendly beasts around Him stood. Jesus our brother, kind and good.
Mary Had a Baby
Mary had a baby (Yes Lord). Mary had a baby (Yes My Lord). Mary had a baby (Yes Lord). Jesus in a manger at Bethlehem!
Worship Jesus…
Angels Sang a Song
Angels sang a song (Yes Lord). Angels sang a song (Yes My Lord). Angels sang a song (Yes Lord). Jesus in a manger at Bethlehem!
Shepherds Came to See Him
Shepherds came to see Him (Yes Lord)
Shepherds came to see Him (Yes My Lord)
Shepherds came to see Him (Yes Lord)
Jesus in a manger at Bethlehem!
Go Tell it on a Mountain
Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!
Wise Men Brought Him Gifts
Wise men brought Him gifts (Yes Lord)
Wise men brought Him gifts (Yes My Lord)
Wise men brought Him gifts (Yes Lord)
Jesus in a manger at Bethlehem!
Celebrate Jesus…..
Joy to the World
Joy to the World, the Lord has 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.
Note: The following video is from the 2019 pageant….
The Little Drummer Boy
Come they told me, Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, Pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, Rum, pum pum pum
Shall I play for Him, Pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum? Rum pum pum pum
Away in the 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.
Happy Birthday to Jesus
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday to you!
Proclaim Jesus!
Come Ring the Bells
Come on ring those bells, Light the Christmas tree,
Jesus is the King, Born for you and me.
Come on, ring those bells. Every body say,
Jesus, we remember, It’s Your Birthday.
Come on ring those bells, Light the Christmas tree,
Jesus is the King, Born for you and me. Come on, ring those bells.
Every body say, Jesus, we remember, It’s Your Birthday.
This Little Light of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
Let There be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God, our Father, children all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me;
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Each child was introduced, and then they all processed out of the sanctuary (towards the Fellowship Hall where a big lunch awaited them).
In the same way, we’re reminded that we must leave our own “sanctuary” and enter the world to tell people about the “True Story of Christmas.”
The True Story of Christmas:
A life continually acted out day by day…
The Christmas Pageant is a once in a lifetime event re-enacted each year. But the True Story of Christmas is something that must live in us throughout the year.
Each year, the costumes, props, and songs are exactly the same. But the kids change. The story is told by different children each year. Here are some pictures of this year’s class (on the left) along with the students from the pageant in 2019 (on the right):
2022 2019
Another change needs to be noted. This is the first pageant we have presented without pianist “Mr. Mike” (Michael Murphy) who passed away in September 2021. Throughout this school year, and during this year’s pageant, we were blessed by the talents of PUMC’s music director, Sue Crispin…
Regardless of who is on the stage or at the piano, the true story of Christmas is told by all of God’s children. It’s not only about a day that we celebrate on December 25, it’s about a God who loves us enough to want to enrich every moment of our lives. Christmas might begin with a Christmas tree, but the True Story begins with the cross, with a change in heart, and with a moment by moment dedication to our loving God.
God loves us enough to send His Son to earth to become one of us. Keep sharing the True Story of Christmas with everyone you meet.
Merry Christmas!!!
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