Often, I am asked to write a Christmas program to commemorate the birth of our Savior. Here is the program I wrote for our church’s Christmas celebration. Perhaps you can use it in your family or congregation to bring the spirit of Christmas into your lives more abundantly.

Narrator 1: The world once more adorns herself in the trappings of Christmas. Lights glitter on rooftops and fences. Christmas trees, stacked high with presents, dance in the windows with silver garland and glass ornaments.

The air rings with carols heralding the age-old message that should sing in every heart.

Choir
Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Narrator 2: Families snuggle around glowing fires or kneel in candle light to read once again the story of that first Christmas 2000 years ago. With shining eyes, children live anew the glorious events of that time long ago.

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Narrator 1: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Narrator 2: And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Narrator 1: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Narrator 2: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

Narrator 1: And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Children’s Medley
Joseph went to Bethlehem
Away in a Manger
Silent Night

Congregational Hymn
The First Noel

Narrator 2: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Narrator 1: And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Narrator 2: And the angel said unto them,

Narrator 3 (Angel): Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Narrator 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Choir
Angels We Have Heard On High

Narrator 2: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Narrator 1: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Narrator 2: And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Narrator 1: And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Narrator 2: But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 Solo
Mary’s Lullaby

Narrator 1: And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Choir
It Came upon a Midnight Clear

Narrator 2: What a glorious event! Music rang in the heavens and in the silent hearts of those who witnessed the event. The wise men from across the known world read the angels’ symphony in the stars and knew that they must follow it to kneel at the Savior’s feet.

Solo
Do You Hear What I Hear?

Narrator 2: With wondering awe the wise men saw the star in heaven springing and with delight in peaceful night they heard the angels singing.

Congregation
With Wondering Awe

Male Trio
We Three Kings

Narrator 3: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying

Narrator 1: Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

Narrator 2: For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Narrator 3: When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Narrator 1: And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Narrator 2: And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Narrator 3: And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Narrator 1: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Narrator 2: Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Narrator 3: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Narrator 1: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Narrator 2: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Solo
Oh Holy Night

Narrator 2: Centuries have come and gone since that first Christmas night. We bring gifts to those we love to commemorate the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh the wise men brought to the Christ Child. Our evergreen Christmas trees covered with lights should remind us of God’s eternal light that shines in the darkness to show us the way.

The candy cane is reminiscent of the shepherd’s staff that stood tall as they knelt before the newborn king, and the bells ring in the glory of Christmas to remind us of the angels’ songs that fill the sky with heavenly music announcing the good news to the world. That rings, even through the sorrow and darkness of this world, in majesty of His message even today.

Congregational Hymn
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Often, I am asked to write a Christmas program to commemorate the birth of our Savior. Here is the program I wrote for our church’s Christmas celebration. May we all lift our voices in joyful praise to our Savior and Redeemer on this Holy Christmas Day.

Choir and Congregation
Joy to the World  end mark

Yevet Crandell Tenney is a Christian columnist who loves American values and traditions. She writes about faith, family and freedom.