CHRISTMAS

MUSIC & WORSHIP RESOURCES

Sunday, December 22, or Wednesday December 25, 2013

Daryl J. Walker, Lectionary Team Liturgist

Worship Planning Notes

The Christmas Story is a critical chapter in the greatest story ever told. Jesus is the central character. As supporting players, Mary and Joseph are key to Jesus' appearance on the scene. The angels serve the role of chorus and narrators who tell the story. The shepherds were out in the dark in the field, but they move to center stage when they visit with Jesus in the manger. The shepherds get so excited about what's going on that they can't remain quiet on the sidelines; they jump right into the action and all of a sudden, The Christmas Story becomes an audience-participation play.

In many ways the shepherds represent us—people on the periphery who have heard about this Jesus and what his arrival on the earthly scene means for us. Like the shepherds, each of us has a chance to become an integral part of Jesus' story by simply checking out what we hear, receiving what it promises, and then spreading the word to others who haven't left the role of "audience bystander" yet.

The foundational Scripture for this unit approaches The Christmas Story from the perspective of the shepherds who go from being bystanders to costars. Since we are like the shepherds, approach the program as an audience-participation occasion. Remind the congregation that "Christmas" is a compound word: Christ + mas. Christmas is a mass for Christ, and a mass is a celebration. Although Christmas is a celebration for and of Christ, it is a celebration by us. Therefore, approach the service as a celebration by those people out in the dark whom Jesus came to save.

Like the shepherds, we have heard about this great event involving a newborn babe. And like the shepherds who talked among themselves (Luke 2:15), this service can follow the African tradition of call and response where the singers, the congregation, the preacher, etc. converse about and respond to Jesus. They do it in the form of a mass, a celebration woven together with music and dance.

Ecumenical Focus

Jesus truly came for all people, and he instructed his followers to share the good news of his coming and purpose with all people (Matthew 28:19). The message needs to be conveyed in a way that reaches different people, so consider doing this program:

(a) with other churches, especially from different denominations;

(b) with different age groups—separately and together; and

(c) with a mixture of styles.

Setting the Stage with a Theme or Title

One of the best ways to help the congregation get the most out of a service is to set their expectations with an appropriate theme or title they can relate to. Consider something like:"The Christmas Story: From the Audience to Center Stage." Put it in the bulletin, on your website, and in spoken or printed announcements at least a week before this service.

Perhaps invite members of the congregation to share how they moved from being out in the dark, like the shepherds in the field and an audience at a play, to center stage, like the shepherds with Jesus in the manger and a saved person with Jesus in his or her life. Post their responses in the bulletin, on a bulletin board, on a blog, or any other appropriate place.

Foundational Scripture: Luke 2:15-20 (NRSV)

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

To put the scene in context and help the congregation understand it better, you might want to start in the 8th verse with the introduction of that which had been made known to the shepherds:

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" (Luke 2:8-14)

Bulletin Notes and PowerPoint or Prezi Projection

Present all of the foundational passage (Luke 2:8-20) in the printed bulletin or program if you have one. If your church uses a projection system, display the entire passage while the congregation is entering and being seated. Verses 8-14 will not be read during the service, but rather will be covered in the Call to Worship activities. It is not that these verses are a less important part of the story; it is simply that they focus on the actions of the angels, and the primary focus for this program is the actions of the shepherds.

As each Scripture is spoken within the program, project it to help the congregation follow how the music and dance embody that aspect of the story.

Scripture Reader(s) or Narrator(s)

Have each song or dance introduced by a speaker simply quoting or reading that portion of the foundational Scripture to which the song or dance applies. Ideally, these Scriptures should be read by someone other than the person who gives the thematic explanation presented below.

Suggested Sequence

1. Call to Worship: This portion represents the conversation between the angels and the shepherds.

a. Scripture #1 (Projected only; not spoken):

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel; which being interpreted is, God with us. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23b)

Note: Project this Scripture while the soloist sings Song #1. It is recommended to use the King James Version printed above because that version is the translation with the song's lyrics.

b. Song #1: Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive (soprano solo)

c. Song #2: For God So Loved the World (chorus only)

Note: Instead of singing this second song, you might elect to have either an elder or a child read the Scripture from which it was taken, John 3:16 (KJV):

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

If using the song, the King James version should be projected because that version is the translation with the song's lyrics.

d. Song #3: And Suddenly/Glory to God

2. Explanation of the Theme

A minister or chosen narrator should explain the theme of this service, including the following:

• This service is a mass for the Christ, so the focus will be kept on celebrating Christ.
  
  
• Remind people that "Christ" is not Jesus' last name, but rather is his description. The word "Christ" means anointed or chosen. So the critical question is: "For what was Jesus chosen?" The answer is given in John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
  
  
• Draw on information in the paragraphs above to explain how the shepherds went from being bystanders out in the dark to being active participants with Jesus . . . and how that applies to us.
  
  
• End with a statement indicating, "We rejoin this story at the point of angels finishing their conversation with shepherds."

Song: Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow

3. Scripture: When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." (v. 15)

Some Recommended Songs:

(a) Angels We Have Heard on High
(b) Come, and Let Us Worship
(c) O Little Town of Bethlehem

4. Scripture: So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. (v. 16)

Some Recommended Songs:

(a) Away in a Manger
(b) What 'Cha Gonna Call the Pretty Little Baby
(c) Late One Night Mary Had a Baby
(d) What Child Is This?

5. Scripture: When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child. (v. 17)

Some Recommended Songs:

(a) Well, The Savior Is Born
(b) Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
(c) He Came Down
(d) Born to Set Me Free
(e) Now Behold the Lamb

6. Scripture: And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. (v. 18)

Some Recommended Songs:

(a) Do You Hear What I Hear?
(b) His Love Is All I See
(c) Sweet Little Jesus Boy
(d) The Little Drummer Boy

7. Scripture: But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. (v. 19)

Some Recommended Songs:

(a) Mary Had a Baby
(b) Mary Did You Know? (Combine this selection with liturgical dance.)
(c) Who Would Imagine a King

8. Scripture: The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.(v. 20)

Some Recommended Songs:

(a) Happy Birthday Jesus
(b) Joy to the World
(c) Children, Go Where I Send Thee

The Power of Celebration

Narrator: The power of Christmas is that it is a celebration of Jesus by us. Celebrations touch people. Jesus himself laid out the plan for getting people from the audience to center stage in the book of John.

Scripture: John 12:32: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Song #1: Go Tell It On the Mountain

Note: As the choir sings this song, they should disperse into the four corners of the church. Ideally, each of the four groups should contain at least four people: one soprano, one alto, one tenor, and one bass. This grouping is important for the closing music.

Song #2: Hallelujah Chorus

Group 1 will sing alone up to a certain point; Group 2 will start form there and go to a certain point; Group 3 will start form there and go to a certain point; and Group 4 will start form there and go to a certain point. Then everyone will join together to finish off the song in whatever version your church selects.

(a) Group 1: Hallelujah Chorus (by George F. Handel, edited by T. Tertius Noble)
(b) Group 2: Hallelujah Chorus (from Soulful Celebration)
(c) Group 3: Hallelujah Chorus (from the McClurkin Project)
(d) Group 4: Hallelujah Chorus (from Too Hot to Handel)

Note: If your church does not have the people to do this four-part approach, consider:
(a) Partnering with other congregations or groups to make the four parts. Maybe use four quartets.

(b) Doing the Hallelujah Chorus with Caribbean drumming and liturgical dancers as portrayed in The Lydians (Trinidad and Tobago) Hallelujah Chorus.

1. Call to Worship and Litany
(a) Behold a Virgin Shall Conceive. By George Frideric Handel. Arr. by Bob Christianson

(b) For God So Loved the World. Text and Tune by Lanny Wolfe

(c) A Christmas Litany
by Rev. Joe Ann Watson

2. Hymns and Congregational Songs
(a) Angels We Have Heard on High. Tune, (ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH), by Earl Marlatt. Arr. by Edward Shippen Barnes

(b) O Little Town of Bethlehem. By Phillip Brooks and Lewis Redner

(c) What Child Is This? By William C. Dix. Tune, (GREENSLEEVES), by John Stainer

(d) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. Traditional

3. Spirituals or Traditional Songs
(a) Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow. Spiritual

(b) What 'Cha Gonna Call the Pretty Little Baby. Traditional. Arr. by Ronald L. Stevens, Sr. For SATB

(c) He Came Down. Cameroon Traditional

(d) Sweet Little Jesus Boy. Spiritual

4. Gospel Songs for Choirs, Ensembles, or Praise Teams
(a) Come, and Let Us Worship. By Richard Smallwood

(b) What Child Is This? By William C. Dix. Tune, (GREENSLEEVES), by John Stainer

(c) Jesus, What a Wonderful Child. Traditional

5. Liturgical Dance or Mime Ministry Music
(a) For God So Loved the World. Text and Tune by Lanny Wolfe

(b) Away in a Manger. By John McFarland. Tune, (MUELLER), by James R. Murray

(c) The Hallelujah Chorus. By George Frideric Handel

(d) Mary Did You Know? By Buddy Green and Mark Lowry

6. Anthems
(a) And Suddenly/Glory to God. By George Frideric Handel. Arr. by Bob Christianson

(b) Late One Night Mary Had a Baby. By Charles Garner. For SATB and bass solo

(c) Well, the Savior Is Born. By Glenn Burleigh

7. Modern Songs
(a) Born to Set Me Free. By Patrick Lundy

(b) Happy Birthday Jesus. By Carol Cymbala, Mildred Hill, and Patty S. Hill. This selection is a favorite for children's choirs!

(c) Everybody Ought to Know Who Jesus Is. By Frank F. Lane

8. Offertory Song or Instrumental
(a) Joy to the World. By Isaac Watts. Tune, (ANTIOCH, CM). Arr. from George F. Handel in T. Hawkes' Collection of Tunes

(b) Mary Had a Baby. Spiritual

(c) Jesus Is the Reason for the Season. By Frank F. Lane

9. Song or Instrumental for the Period of Prayer
(a) O Come, O Come Emmanuel. By Jason Mason Neale. Tune, (VENI EMMANUEL), by Thomas Helmore. Arr. by Richard Smallwood

(b) Emmanuel, Emmanuel. Text and Tune, (McGEE), by Bob McGee

(c) Jesus. Arr. by Valeria A. Foster

10. Sermonic Selection
(a) Mary Did You Know? By Melvin Williams

(b) Mary Did You Know? By Buddy Green and Mark Lowry

(c) Who Would Imagine a King. By Hallerin Hill. Arr. by Mervyn E. Warren

(d) Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child. By Margaret Allison

11. Invitational Song or Instrumental
(a) Now Behold the Lamb. By Kirk Franklin

(b) Make Room for Jesus. By Raymond Wise

(c) Jesus, What a Wonderful Child. Traditional

12. Benediction Song or Instrumental
(a) Hallelujah Chorus. By George Frideric Handel. Edited by T. Tertius Noble and Max Spicker

(b) Hallelujah Chorus. By George Frideric Handel, from the oratorio Messiah

(c) Hallelujah Chorus. By George Frideric Handel

(d) Hallelujah Chorus. By George Frideric Handel. Arr. by Bob Christianson

13. Audio Visual Aids
(a) Children, Go Where I Send Thee. African American Traditional. Arr. by Evelyn Simpson-Curenton
See the video model for children's choir to render this selection:

(b) Go Tell It on the Mountain. Spiritual
For churches that may not have singers available but do have projection technology, consider letting Odetta render this spiritual via video.

(c) Mary Did You Know? By Buddy Green and Mark Lowry. Combine this selection with liturgical dance.

14. Other Recommendations
(a) For churches without the resources to do the four-version Hallelujah chorus suggested in the Worship Planning Notes, consider concluding the service with a Caribbean version that includes drummers and dancers: The Lydians (Trinidad and Tobago) Hallelujah Chorus—Handel's Messiah.

(b) Consider doing this program with other congregations or community groups to reflect that Jesus truly came for all people.

Cites and Additional Information for Music and Material Listed

Worship Planning Notes prepared by Marilyn J. Richardson Lewis, Principal of Higher Level, LLC. www.higherlevelllc.com

Musical resources contributed by:

• Bryan T. Johnson, Executive Director of Sacred Music at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago;
• Ron Anderson, Associate Director of Sacred Music at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago;
• MacBeth Harris, Associate Director of Sacred Music at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago;
• Dr. Dennis Slaughter, Director of Music, Parkway UMC, Milton, MA; and
• Dr. Raymond Wise. Raise Publishing Company, www.raiseonline.com.