Hello, Christmas planners!

If you could use a pageant that’s easy to mount last-minute, that includes lots of traditional carols, plus a newly-written theme song and a fresh Magnificat, look no further: A Place in the Manger is all those things. Here’s a bit of how it came about, which may give ideas for how it could be helpful in your setting.

Last year, 2023, our Youth and Family Ministry Director had a vision of an old-fashioned pageant, at night in the sanctuary, decorated for Advent, lit up with candles. We had no idea how important this pageant would be, to help people re-socialize post-Covid, to reinvigorate area youth programs, and to involve the community in something beautiful. Our youth had met monthly with other area youth, and we invited them to participate. We also put flyers in local businesses, letting folks know, if your kid would like to be part of a Christmas pageant, bring them at such-and-such a time. If they have an animal costume they’d like to wear, bring it! We’ll have plenty angel wings and shepherd costumes for everyone else.

The stable was a mic stand with a boom arm at the top of the chancel steps, boom arm stretched at a rising angle, brown sheets stretched across the boom and rails to the side of the steps. The manger was rough wood tied with rope, lined with cloth. There are more details in the overview file that comes with the script and song resources in the pageant package, but we hope this much gives a sense of how simple and inexpensive a significant event can be.

As you can see in the theme song and Magnificat videos, the front of our worship space was full of children, and pews were packed with parents, many of whom had never been to our church before.

Additionally,  the Magnificat served as a Hymn of Praise throughout Advent, and the theme song, “A Place in the Manger,” was a highlight of our Christmas Eve service.

I hope these resources will bless you and all in your care.

Grace and peace!

John Tirro