God’s Promise Came True Notes to the Elementary Service Director
Several weeks before your first whole-group practice takes place, you can begin working with individuals and classes or groups. The whole-group practices will go much easier when most of the kids have some idea of what you expect of them.
Here are some additional ideas to help jump-start your planning:
Invite and advertise! Be sure to use the free, downloadable helps CTA provides. You can customize several of them, adding your own information to create a unified look and feel for the entire enterprise, from invitation to closing blessing.
Visit www.CTAinc.com and click on the “Resource & Idea Center” tab and then on “Seasonal & Events.” Then scroll down to “Christmas” to find the downloadables for God’s Promise Came True. They include a coloring page, the full-color artwork for the theme God’s Promise Came True, a PowerPoint presentation to match God’s Promise Came True, and more!
Assign speaking parts. If you are working with a small group of children, each speaker may have multiple parts. If yours is a large group, you may want to break some of the speaking parts into shorter sections or have several children speak each part in unison.
Before you print out copies of the service below for each participant, replace Leader and Speaker with the names of the specific children or adults who will present those parts. If you have a smaller group of children, you may want to use teens or adults for some speaking parts.
Send speaking parts home in writing, so children can practice them with their families. It is best if children memorize their speaking parts, but if you print their parts on cards, they may also read them. If you do this, encourage the speakers to face the audience and speak slowly and clearly as they read into the microphone.
Note: Be sure to have an extra set of cards available on the day of your presentation, just in case a child loses his or her card in the excitement of your big event.
Plan a helpful sequence. Because it is difficult for very young children to sit still longer than about 15 minutes, you may want to assign parts and songs in such a way that the youngest children participate first. Then you can ask them to go sit with their parents in the audience for the rest of the service.
Set the stage. Place a manger at center stage, allowing enough space for Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and other characters to stand or kneel near it. Plan to position the tallest children in back rows and smallest children in front—perhaps on low risers or steps. Children
1 may sit down in place whenever they are not involved in singing or presenting. This will eliminate the confusion of moving from chairs to the stage and then back again several times.
Teams of younger children may want to add some art. Invite specific classes or groups to illustrate portions of the Christmas story. Import their drawings onto PowerPoint slides and plan to project them at the appropriate points in the service or before and after the service.
Invite older children to use their talents by reading, singing, playing an instrument, introducing songs, and participating in other helpful ways at various points in the service.
Select children to act out the story. You will need these characters: Mary, Joseph, the Baby in the manger (doll), angels, and shepherds. Pinterest.com is a great source for costume patterns and ideas. Here are a few additional designs to get you started:
To make an easy “robe,” use a bath towel, a portion of an old sheet, or a length of lightweight, inexpensive fabric. Fold it in half. Use scissors to cut an X about midway along the fold. Adjust the X until it slips easily over the child’s head, tie a belt around the child’s waist, check that the bottom edge is at least 12 inches off the floor to minimize the danger of tripping, and you’re done!
Fashion “sheep ears” or “cow horns” by hot-gluing felt ear or horn shapes to headbands purchased from a discount store. Or sew felt “ears” to a length of black elastic, sized and stitched to fit snugly around the child’s head. (Elastic may be purchased by the yard at your local fabric store.) Students playing animal parts may wear sweatshirts and pants in solid colors. Plain-colored mittens or gloves can serve as hooves. Use face paint to add “noses” for the “animals”—but only if the children are comfortable with it and parents give you permission.
Spray paint a silver or gold star. Fasten one end of a string to the star. Attach the other end of the string to a wooden dowel approximately three feet in length. Or permanently affix the star on the stage set above the manger.
Make angel “halos” from silver, gold, or white Christmas garland. Place a short length of garland on each angel’s head. Cut it to size and staple the ends securely. (Keep the stapler close by for last-minute fixes.)
Adapt this service as appropriate for your group’s size, setting, and preferences.
The Bible quotations printed in this program come from the English Standard Version (ESV). You’re welcome to substitute a translation of your choice, but if you do this, you will need to change the credit line. Visit www.biblegateway.com to learn more about Bible credit lines.
You can hear most of the songs we’ve suggested by conducting a quick search on YouTube. Feel free to substitute different hymns and songs, but be sure to respect copyright laws and include credit lines.
2 If you need a shorter service or if your group is smaller, consider judiciously omitting some hymn stanzas and speaking parts.
Print a program for those who attend. CTA provides a free program cover with theme art you can download and customize. Again, visit www.CTAinc.com and click on the “Resource & Idea Center” tab and then on “Seasonal & Events.” Then scroll down to “Christmas” to find the downloadables for God’s Promise Came True. If you choose to have the congregation participate in the service where the script below invites it, add those sections to the bulletin or project them on a screen at the appropriate points.
Also consider projecting the subtitles of each section of the program on the screen as you get to those points.
As the service ends, give each child a copy of the book God’s Promise Came True (item GPT17SCTS) or a God’s Promise Came True Activity Book (item GPT17AB) to keep as a memento of Christmas this year. You may also want to have children standing at each exit, distributing invitations to your church’s Christmas services. Use the invitations with theme art CTA provides. This will create a unified look and feel to your Christmas events.
Photography can disrupt worship, and movement in the audience may distract the children. So offer an alternative for parents and grandparents. Tell them that all adults will have an opportunity to take pictures of their children near the classroom Christmas tree or at the manger after the service. Then ask that they refrain from taking photos during the program itself.
3 God’s Promise Came True A Christmas Service for Elementary School Children
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace. Luke 2:14
[The pastor, Sunday school superintendent, choir director, or other designated leader welcomes everyone and offers a brief opening prayer.
Then the director invites the children forward. The piano or organ plays a familiar, joyful Christmas carol as the children move. When everyone is settled and the first group of speakers is ready, they begin.]
When Jesus Was Born, Mary . . .
Speaker 1: When Jesus was born, the night was dark.
Speaker 2: Stars twinkled in the sky.
All children: When Jesus was born, God’s promise came true!
Speaker 3: God’s promise to send our Savior came true!
Speaker 4 (reading): The angel of the Lord said to Joseph, “[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
All children: When Jesus was born, God’s promise came true!
Speaker 3: God’s promise to send our Savior . . .
Speaker 2: . . . to send our Savior and our King—
Speaker 3: God’s promise came true—for me and for you! (Point to the audience, then to yourself.)
Speaker 4 (reading slowly): “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this” (Isaiah 9:6–7).
Speaker 1: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . .
4 Speaker 2: Mary wrapped him up tight to keep him warm.
Speaker 3 (reading): “She . . . wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
Speaker 1: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . .
Speaker 2: Mary thought about everything that was happening. She thought about it again and again. She never forgot that night. Not ever!
Speaker 3 (reading): “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
All children: When Jesus was born, God’s promise came true!
Speaker 4: God’s promise to send our Savior came true! It came true for me and for you! (Again, point to yourself and to the audience.)
[As the carol “Away in a Manger” is sung, Mary and Joseph begin to move slowly to center stage from the back of the auditorium. Depending on the size of the auditorium, they may pause from time to time so they arrive at the crèche as indicated below.]
Song: Away in a Manger (children)
1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. I love you, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle 'til morning is nigh.
3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask you to stay Close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And take us to heaven to live with you there.
When Jesus Was Born, Joseph . . .
Speaker 5: When Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem.
5 Speaker 6: The emperor Caesar Augustus had ordered everyone to return to their hometown to be registered.
Speaker 7: Joseph’s ancestors and Mary’s ancestors were from Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of Israel’s greatest king, King David.
Speaker 5: So Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to be registered because of the emperor. But they also went there so that God’s promise would come true—his promise that our Savior, King Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem, the royal town of King David.
[Mary and Joseph approach the manger. As they arrive, Mary inconspicuously takes Baby Jesus from hiding behind the manger. She and Joseph have their backs to the audience. They admire the baby as Mary holds him, smiling and adoring him as they gradually turn so the audience can see the baby. They should ignore the audience, focusing only on “Jesus.” Then Mary should sit, cradling the infant, Joseph standing close by.]
All children: When Jesus was born, God’s promise came true!
Speaker 7: God’s promise to send our Savior came true!
Speaker 8 (reading): The Lord’s prophet had written, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).
Speaker 5: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem . . .
Speaker 6: Joseph stood guard. He protected Mary and the Baby Jesus. He kept them safe.
Speaker 7: When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God’s promise to send our Savior . . .
Speaker 6: . . . to send our Savior and our King—
Speaker 7: That promise came true! It came true for me and for you! (Point to yourself and to the audience.)
[Shepherds enter and position themselves a bit removed from center stage. They are sleepy.]
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem (Children sing stanza 1; congregation joins in singing 2–4.)
1. Oh, little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all 6 The years are met in thee tonight.
2. How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls Will receive him, still The dear Christ enters in.
3. O holy child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Immanuel!
When Jesus Was Born, Angels . . .
Speaker 9: When Jesus was born, the sky was dark.
Speaker 10: But not for long!
All children: When Jesus was born, God’s promise came true!
Speaker 11 (Hold fists up near your head, closed. Then POP open your fingers suddenly at the words “lit up”): The sky lit up, bright as day, as an angel announced the good news—the best news ever!
[Angels appear near the shepherds. The shepherds are terrified.]
Speaker 12 (reading): “In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:8–12).
Speaker 10: Suddenly the sky was FILLED with angels! The praises of heaven erupted on earth! 7 All children: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14).
Speaker 11: God’s promise to send our Savior came true!
[Angels depart.]
Speaker 10: When the sky grew dark once again, the shepherds could not stay there with their sheep! They just had to go see for themselves!
[Shepherds move to kneel at the manger.]
Speaker 12 (reading): “They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child” (Luke 2:16–17).
Speaker 2: And Mary remembered. She thought about everything again and again, and she never forgot that night. Not ever!
Speaker 4 (reading): Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19).
[During “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” the shepherds, angels, and Wise Men move to stand around Mary and Joseph, making sure Baby Jesus remains the focal point. All should be in place as the carol ends.]
Song: Angels from the Realms of Glory (Children sing stanza 1; congregation joins in on the refrain and remaining stanzas.)
1. Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth; You who sang creation's story Now proclaim Messiah's birth.
Refrain: Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King.
2. Shepherds in the field abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing, Yonder shines the infant Light.
Refrain
3. Though an infant now we view him, He shall fill his Father's throne. Gather all the nations to him; 8 Every knee shall then bow down.
Refrain
Because Jesus Was Born, We . . .
All children: When Jesus was born, God’s promise came true!
Speaker 13: God’s promise to send our Savior came true! It came true for me and for you! (Point to self, then to members of the congregation.)
Speaker 14: God kept his promises. And he still keeps his promises!
Speaker 13: Each and every one!
Speaker 14: But so what? What now? What does all this mean this Christmas?!
Speaker 15: The Bible answers that! First, our hearts are filled with praise and thanks!
Speaker 16 (reading): “All the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus]. That is why it is through [Jesus] that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
All children: We praise you, God, for sending Jesus, our Savior! Amen!
Speaker 15: And our hearts are filled with love for God and for each other. The Bible says . . .
Speaker 16 (reading slowly): “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the [payment] for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:7–11).
Speaker 2: Mary remembered that night. She thought about everything again and again, and she never forgot that night. Not ever!
Speaker 4: We won’t forget, either. We will treasure up all these things, pondering them in our hearts!
Song: God’s Promise Came True (children)
God’s Promise Came True
Picture a town long, long ago. Picture a Bethlehem moon. 9 Mary and Joseph came to the inn only to hear, “There’s no room!” This was the time, this was the day, but for his arrival there was no space. So there in the place where the animals lay, Heaven entered our world.
Chorus: God’s promise came true! God’s promise came true! God’s promise to love us and save us, oh, God’s promise came true!
Tell all the world! Let the bells ring! Jesus has come to redeem! Let all the earth rise up in praise! Come, let us worship this King! Open our hearts to take in your grace; open our arms to feel your embrace; Open our eyes to see your face; open our lips to sing! (Chorus)
Two tiny hands, wrinkled and curled, Christ Child so tender and small, These little hands are mighty to save; these hands will stretch out for all!
Final chorus: God’s promise came true! God’s promise came true! God’s promise to love us and save us, oh, God’s promise came God’s promise came true!
Descant for final chorus: God came through! God came through! God came to love us and save us, oh, God’s promise came God’s promise came true!
All children (loudly and with a smile): Merry Christmas, everybody!
Closing Song: Sing Out with Joy and Gladness (Congregation sings as children exit.) Tune: In Dulci Jubilo (“Good Christian Men, Rejoice”)
1. Sing out with joy and gladness, Discard all fear and sadness. Children, shout! (And grown-ups, too!) Jesus Christ was born for you! Good News has from heaven come. Play the cymbals, beat the drum! God has sent his Son! God has sent his Son!
2. He’s wrapped in swaddling clothes, With baby hands and toes! God himself in manger bed Lying in a cattle shed! Those who know and trust God’s Word See him fulfilling all they’ve heard. Jesus comes in love! Jesus comes in love!
10 3. “Forgiveness!” he proclaims. How comforting his names: Christ, the Savior, Lord, and King, Sweet the new life that he brings! Glory! Praise! To God on high! Come, join the anthems of the sky! Christ was born for us! Christ was born for us!
#GPT17DSE
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All rights reserved. Permission to adapt and to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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