Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: https://read.jwpepper.com/i/72013
168 NARRATOR 3: In the old days, the menfolk would be responsible for cleaning everything outside of the house and the women everything else inside of it. Every cottage would receive a fresh coat of whitewash, and linens, furniture, and every pot in the house would be scrubbed until they were spotless. In this way, the house would be symbolically purified for the coming Savior. NARRATOR 2: It was up to the children to scout the countryside for appropriate decorations to be cut and brought home for Christmas Eve. Holly was the biggest prize… NARRATOR 4: …especially holly with big bunches of berries! NARRATOR 1: Holly grows wild in Ireland and is used to decorate the entire house. The bright red berries symbolize the sacrifice of Christ, and the brilliant green the eternal life brought about by Jesus' resurrection. Holly wreaths used as door decorations can be traced to Irish immigrants who came to the United States during the Great Potato Famine. NARRATOR 1: Every Irish door that has a holly wreath may be left unlatched. This is a sign of hospitality extended to the Holy Family as they make their long journey toward Bethlehem. It is also a sign to any traveler on the road: You are welcome here; in this home, you will find Christmas. Once upon a Christmas NARRATOR 4: Christmas Eve was always spent in church. The big book was opened and the story was read out loud. Everyone knew how it ended...but they wanted to hear it again anyway. NARRATOR 3: It was not uncommon to see the whole town sitting in the pews, saying the words right along with the minister – that's what happens when God writes His word upon your heart. NARRATOR 2: (reading out of a Bible) And so it was written: "The days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And [Mary] brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger…" (Luke 2: 6,7 KJV) NARRATOR 1: Irish children always remember seeing the big manger display in church on Christmas Eve. But it was a very lonely scene – there were only animals and a crèche filled with straw. Then, wondrously, when everyone returned on Christmas morning, the baby Jesus was in his crib, with Mary and Joseph on either side and the shepherds looking on in adoration. The waiting was over. Christmas had arrived. The Wexford Carol with I Wonder As I Wander NARRATOR 1: The birth of Christ is always celebrated in song: the angels filled NARRATOR 2: Caroling has a special place in the Irish Christmas celebration. Carols were sung each December Sunday, starting with the first Sunday of Advent. It was the way every family knew Christmas had begun. NARRATOR 4: Children would go caroling in their neighborhoods, hoping for a sweet cake or a three-penny bit. The longer the song – the more treats they'd receive. NARRATOR 3: In earlier times, town leaders would hire groups of poor people to sing from door to door, thus giving them the heavens the night Jesus was born, and we have followed their example ever since. Preview Copy