After having recovered from the exertions of the all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza that was “Good News for Everyone – A Christmas Musical”, the question came, how do you follow that? The answer came in an idle thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Santa met Jesus?” – the idea was born and before I knew it I was walking into the centre of our packed out church on Christmas Eve in a full Jesus fancy dress costume complete with enormous beard, in dialogue with an equally impressively adorned Santa. The things you do to communicate the good news!
What follows is the script for the whole service, which incorporates the nativity play, “God’s Great Gift for All”. The carols are only suggestions, as is the prayer activity. Feel free to swap them for whatever works in your own context.
Introduction
Introduce service and welcome everyone. If appropriate, light Advent candles. Mention that for a bit of fun, Christmas pop song titles will be interspersed throughout the service. Can you count them?
So here it is Merry Christmas everybody’s having fun! And I bet we’re excited too as there’s just One more sleep to go until the Saviour’s Day. Well, those of you who were with us Last Christmas might remember that we had the premiere of our Christmas musical, Good news for everyone. This year we are thinking about Christmas being God’s great gift to all. We’re so grateful you have all come to be with us – it would have been Lonely this Christmas without you, but we hope to all have a very Merry Christmas together as we celebrate the birth of Mary’s boy child, Jesus.
At the heart of our service will be a nativity. We want as many people to take part as possible. Later on, we will be forming a nativity tableau as we sing “Away in a manger” and “Silent night”. We would love for as many children who wish to form this tableau together and to dress up in costumes. If you want to do with, then please come up in the first carol to get on your costumes.
Without much further ado, let’s Step into Christmas and sing our first carol
CAROL – Come and join the celebration
QUIZ – Guess the gift
Five gifts wrapped disguised to look like something different. The short point is that gifts don’t always appear the way we would expect.
Santa Interlude – Part 1
Service Leader:
Thanks so much, that was great! Well, now we’re going to have our nativity. Could our performers of our first scene come up please?
Narrator:
I want to tell you the story
Of how God left heaven’s glory
He came to earth, –
Santa [from back of church/hall]:
Ho, ho, oh – what do we have here? [Looks around the hall at everyone] Hello everyone! I’m just on my way to deliver all the presents but we had a bit of turbulence and it threw the reindeer’s sense of direction off completely … So, we’ve got a bit lost, and then we were so glad to see the lights on the lovely tree outside and the Christmas Lights on here to see if we could get a little bit of help… This isn’t Australia, is it? It feels too cold for that … where are we?
Service Leader
// Parish // [Santa looks blank] // City // [Santa still blank] – England?
Santa:
England? Oh dear, I’m not meant to be here for another 12 hours. Santa Claus is coming to town, but not yet! Oh dear, oh dear. What a pickle. Well, it’s lovely to see you all here.. … What are you doing here?
Service Leader:
Well, as it’s Christmas Eve we’re having a special service to celebrate.
Santa:
Celebrate, celebrate what?
Service Leader:
Celebrate Christmas of course,
Santa:
Celebrate Christmas? Father Christmas? me? That’s very kind!
Service Leader:
No, sorry, I mean, I believe in Father Christmas, but actually we’re celebrating someone else – someone very important …
Santa:
Who?
Service Leader:
Shall we tell him, everyone – who are we here to celebrate today?
Congregation:
Jesus!
Santa:
Jesus?
Service Leader:
Yes, Jesus. He’s the reason why we celebrate Christmas – this time is named after him – his full name is Jesus Christ, so we celebrate Christ-mas – the name was invented 1000 years ago – Christ’s Mass, when Christians had special services to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Santa:
So, Christmas is about the birth of a baby? But aren’t babies born all the time? I mean, When a child is born, it’s great for their families of course, but What’s so special about this one?
Service Leader:
Well, funnily enough, we’re just about to tell that story, so why don’t you take a seat and you can find out …
Santa:
Ho, ho, ho, that would be great! as long as they’re quick about it – Do they know it’s Christmas?
Nativity – Scene 1
Narrator:
I want to tell you the story
Of how God left heaven’s glory
He came to earth, became a man –
It’s all part of his rescue plan
He came to save a world in pain
He came to bring us hope again
To show people both near and far
Just how completely loved we are
Want to know more? Then Come with me
To Nazareth in Galilee
Mary, though she doesn’t know it
Will receive a special visit
Here comes the Angel Gabriel
God’s messenger – why, can’t you tell?
He’s all in white with great big wings
Poor Mary jumps out of her skin!
Gabriel:
Mary, favoured one, God’s with you!
Do not be scared, I have some news!
You’re gonna have a baby boy
who’ll save the world and bring great joy!
You’ll call him Jesus – saving one,
He’ll be King of Kings, God’s own Son.
Narrator:
Mary gasped,
Mary:
Are you sure it’s me?
I’m just a girl, how can this be?
Gabriel:
It’ll happen through the Holy Spirit
For God’s power knows no limit.
Narrator:
Mary replied,
Mary:
Oh wow, ok!
I am God’s servant, I’ll obey.
Narrator:
Off Gabriel went, job well done –
he’d found the mother for God’s son.
Mary, meanwhile, she had to go
off to see her fiancé Joe.
What would he say, what would he do
When she told him her shocking news?
Mary:
Something’s happened, Joseph sweetie
that will change our lives utterly
I’m having a child, God’s own son –
his precious gift for everyone,
Joseph:
I don’t believe it, how’s this true?
Mary, How can I trust in you?
What you’ve said is impossible
There’s no future for us at all.
Narrator:
So, Joseph left, very upset
But fear not, it’s not over yet.
An angel came to him that night
To help him get the story right.
Angel 1:
Joseph, Mary’s story is true
And more than ever she needs you.
So, take her home to be your wife
To love and cherish all your life.
The baby that she’s carrying
Means hope for all who are suff’ring
Give this child the name Jesus
He’s Immanuel, God with us.
It means you’ll never be alone
You’ll never face life on your own.
For God’s love will forever be
By your side for eternity.
Narrator:
Joseph nodded
Joseph:
God’s will be done
I’ll bring this boy up as my son.
With God’s strength I will play my part.
I’ll love this boy with all my heart.
Narrator:
With that the angel went away
while Joseph vowed that he would stay
no matter what by Mary’s side
and they soon became groom and bride.
And here we’ll leave the happy pair
for a moment so we can share
in a favourite Christmas song
and we’ll be back before too long.
CAROL – O little town of Bethlehem
Santa Interlude – Part 2
Santa
Ho, ho, ho, that’s incredible … this baby was going to be really special! The son of God and Saviour, that’s amazing! Jesus, what a wonderful child!
Service Leader
That’s right!
Santa
Mary and Joseph were incredible people, weren’t they? What a big job they had!
Service Leader
Yes, but they weren’t alone – they had each other, and God was with them.
Santa:
Oh, ho, ho, of course! I wonder, what happened next when the baby was born?
Service Leader
Well, we’re about to find out …
Nativity – Scene 2
Narrator:
Nine months on Emperor Augustus
Decides to take a big census
across the empire every man
must go to the town of his clan
He does it to raise some money
Joseph doesn’t find this funny
Joseph:
for we have to go far away
To Bethlehem, around four days
On foot or on a donkey’s back
by Roman road or narrow track
Mary:
And all the while the day draws near
Until our baby will appear.
Narrator:
Will mum and baby be ok?
And will they find somewhere to stay?
A place fit for this baby king
Whose birth will such happiness bring?
Let’s go now and go with them
to the little town of Bethlehem
Joseph:
The town was busy, inns were full
There seemed to be no room at all
But we searched ‘til we were able
To find lodgings in a stable.
Mary:
There he was born and wrapped in cloth
And placed in an animal trough.
Joseph:
Not ideal, but at least it’s warm
We’ll make sure he comes to no harm.
Narrator:
Mary and Joe looked on with love
At Jesus, the gift from above.
This child whose birth meant hope would dawn
For all in darkness, a new morn.
Stay with us now to find out who
Were first to hear of this great news.
Before that we will sing again
of peace on earth, goodwill to men.
CAROL – It was on a starry night
Santa Interlude – Part 3
Santa:
Oh ho ho, this gets even more incredible. God’s son wasn’t born in a palace?
Service Leader
Nope
Santa:
He had a manger for his bed?
Service Leader:
Yep, that’s right.
Santa:
What kind of king would do that?
Service Leader
Makes you think, doesn’t it? I think it’s the kind of King who came to be there for everyone, not just rich or important people.
Santa:
But surely important people came to visit him?
Service Leader:
Well, let’s wait and see
Santa:
Yes, let’s!
Nativity – Scene 3
Narrator:
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
Were soon to get an awful fright
Out of the darkness shone a light
Caused by an angel dazzling bright
The shepherds cried out,
Shepherds 1:
Whoa, what’s that?
Narrator:
Terrified, they threw themselves flat.
The angel said,
Angel 2:
Don’t be afraid
I bring good news for you today
news of great joy for all people
In Bethlehem a King’s been born
A Saviour who is Christ the Lord
In whom all hope can be restored
This baby has been born for you.
This is how you will know it’s true –
Go to Bethlehem where you’ll find
This child who in a manger lies
wrapped in cloths and humility
He’s there for you – go and you’ll see!
Narrator:
A choir of angels filled the sky
Singing
Angels:
Glory be to God on high.
Peace on earth goodwill to all men
Narrator:
The shepherds get up there and then
Shepherd 1:
Let’s go to Bethlehem right now
And see what we’ve been told about
Can what they’ve said be really true –
A king’s been born for me and you?
Narrator:
They leave their flock and off they go
To see Jesus, Mary and Joe
Shepherd:
It’s all as the angel has said –
Our King lies there in the straw bed.
We’re filled with such wonder and joy
God’s love lives in this baby boy.
Narrator:
Shepherds return shouting with glee
spread news of this nativity.
Meanwhile wise men come from afar
Wise men:
All this way we followed the star
that heralds the birth of a King
We’ve come to worship, gifts to bring
Gold, frankincense and precious myrrh –
Gifts fit for this, our rescuer.
Narrator:
Jesus’ first guests may seem quite odd
But everyone matters to God
Whether you’re rich or very poor
Whether you’re near or very far
Whether you’re big or very small.
Jesus is God’s great gift for all.
This story’s end is just the start
for this child can live in your heart.
Accept this gift at Christmas time|
he’ll stay with you for all your life.
So may you know wonder and joy
The great love of this baby boy.
And may you know deep in your heart
just how completely loved you are.
CAROLS – Away in a manger and Silent night
Invite children to form nativity tableau during these carols
Santa Interlude – Part 4
Santa
Ho, ho, ho, I’m quite overwhelmed! So, that’s what Christmas is all about? Celebrating the birth of Jesus? And we give gifts to each other …
Service Leader
Because God gave the most incredible gift to us.
Santa:
Jesus the baby who was born for everyone? Shepherds, wise men, all sorts of people?
Service Leader
Yes, although he didn’t stay as a baby …
Jesus [from the side]
No, I grew up.
Santa:
Wow – is it really ….
Jesus
Yes, it’s me – hi, I’m Jesus, nice to meet you.
Santa:
Ho, ho, ho, that’s incredible … I’m –
Jesus
Father Christmas, Santa Claus – St Nicholas – Little St Nick well, less of the little – I know, I know all about you – you bring people all over the world a lot of joy every year. I like that.
Santa:
Well, thank you.
Jesus [to the congregation]
And all of you here, you do too – I love the fact you come together to celebrate my birthday.
Santa:
So, you grew up …
Jesus
I did.
Santa
And what happened?
Jesus
Well, God had given me a mission – to show people how deeply loved they are. You see, there is so much hurt in the world that I came to do something about it. When I was on this planet, I brought healing and hope to people – people who were blind could see, those who were deaf could hear and people who’d been lame walked again. I taught people too, about God’s love, about his care for each and everybody – everybody here today. God loves and cares for you.
You see, God loved the world so much that he sent me, his only Son, so that whoever believes in me – wherever they’re from, whatever they’ve done, however old or young they are – might not be lost, but have eternal life. I didn’t come to make people feel bad about themselves and to judge them, but to save them. I came to fight the darkness of this world. I had to die to do that …
Santa
You died?
Jesus
But I rose again – you need to ask your friend the Easter Bunny about that, because that’s for a different time.
Santa
Wow, this is amazing…
Jesus
But when I rose from the dead, it means that people don’t have to be afraid anymore – not of death, not of anything! If they come to know me and have faith in me, they will live forever.
Santa
No wonder Christmas is such a big deal! [PAUSE] Come to think of it… this all does ring some Jingle Bells somewhere with me… I am sorry, we may even met before…
Jesus
I should think we have… St. Nicholas!
Santa
Oh, sorry… I do get a little forgetful! I am nearly 1700 years old, so I suppose I’m not doing too badly… been doing this thing for a while… Oh, gosh, speaking of… I need to get back on that sleigh, there are children in Australia who need me, we have a very quick Sleigh Ride to do, otherwise they’ll have a Blue Christmas and we can’t have that! But before I go, I do have just one question.
Jesus
What’s that?
Santa
What would you like for Christmas?
Jesus
You know what is My only wish? All I want for Christmas is you. I’d love for the people here in the midst of all the craziness of this time, to take a moment to stop and say, Thank God it’s Christmas. And I have a gift to give everyone too – I don’t have any presents for you, but I can give you my presence. You may be thinking, I wish it could be Christmas everyday, but it can be. One of the names given to me before I was born was “Immanuel”, which means God with us. I promise I will always be with you – whatever you are going through, you are never alone. Never.
Santa
Well, that is some gift! Anyway, I must dash.
Jesus
I’ll come out with you. [As they walk out] and I’ve always wanted to ask something – Santa, tell me – you deliver presents to every child in the world in just one night … how do you manage that?
Santa
I’ll tell you, if you tell me how you manage to hear and answer everyone’s prayers all at once … now that’s cool!
PRAYERS – Gifts from God
People to write down on gift shaped cards
– what they are thankful to God for
– a gift that they want to ask God for
– a gift that they would like to give God.
Prayers are placed in gift wrapped box.
FINAL CAROL – O come, al ye faithful
Service Leader:
We want to say thank you so much for being with us this afternoon – we would love to wish you a Wonderful Christmas Time and if you’re travelling tomorrow, a safe journey to those who are Driving Home for Christmas, good luck to all those who still have your Christmas Wrapping to do!
Those of you who were counting, there were 20 Christmas song titles mentioned throughout the service this evening.
Halwill Publishing 