Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: https://read.jwpepper.com/i/1487692
86 Narrations 1. God So Loved (narration begins after music starts) God so loved…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world, through him, might be saved. 2. Hosanna, God Save Us! (music begins after narration) God sent his Son to the world at a time and place that was immersed in chaos. Palestine was a land full of political turmoil. The Roman Empire controlled the area, but the people there resented the Romans and rebelled against their occupiers. Many struggled to survive and feared what the future would bring. They prayed for God to come and rescue them from the suffering and oppression. When Jesus came, he performed many miracles. He preached with power and au- thority. Many began to believe that Jesus was their promised Messiah who would rescue them from their plight and establish a new kingdom of hope and peace. When Jesus entered the holy city of Jerusalem, a great crowd welcomed him and shouted "Hosanna!" We think of "hosanna" as an exclamation of joy and praise, but the word literally means, "God save us!" So as the people welcomed him into the city, their hosannas were a call for Jesus to come and rescue them from their suffer- ing and despair. Today we join them in this call. Through all our challenges and fears, we too may call out, "Hosanna, God save us. God save us now." (music begins) 3. By the Way You Love (music begins after narration) After his triumphal entry into the city, Jesus took his disciples to share the Passover feast in an upper room. During this final meal, he prepared them for his impending death and taught them one last time who they were called to be. The disciples had argued over who would have the highest position in his new king- dom. Jesus used this moment to teach them to live a life of humility and servant- hood. Instead of ruling over others, he taught them to serve others through a life of love. As Jesus said to his disciples, so now he says to us, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. And by this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (music begins)