I started this blog with the intent of it being a resource for my ward choir. I don't think very many of them look at it, but I'm happy to say that it has been a useful resource for other ward choir directors. I've had a lot of people try to access the pdf files of my Christmas Programs, and they worked for awhile, but then one day they just disappeared, and I have no idea where they went.
So, since my pdf links didn't work out, I'm just putting my first two Christmas programs right in this blog post, so now all four Christmas programs that I've done with ward choirs are here on the blog (2006, 2007, 2011, and 2012).
I apologize in advance that the formatting isn't consistent, but I just don't have time to fix them. Feel free to copy and paste into your own document and edit to your heart's content. Add new songs or use different arrangements, or use your own narration. Whatever you want. It's just nice to have ideas to work with. Also, if you want my digital files, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll send them to you. (Maybe those would be easier to edit?)
I'm reusing my 2006 program for this year, so I won't have a new program to share this year. But if I'm still pluggin' away at this next year, I'll probably do a new one, just to keep things interesting.
PROGRAM #1
Written for Cherry Hills Ward Choir Christmas Program 2006
NARRATOR: (Luke 2: 1, 3-5)
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus that all his empire should be taxed. . . And all went to be
taxed, every one into his own city. And
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
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.”
- Primary Children—When Joseph Went
to Bethlehem 2.5 min
NARRATOR: (Luke 2: 6-7)
“And so it was, that, while they
were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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 inns.”
- Away in a Manger, From Hymplicity,
3 min
- Baby, What You Goin’ To Be? By
Natalie Sleeth, 4 min
NARRATOR: (Luke 2: 8-12)
“And there were in the same
country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by
night. 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. And the angel of the Lord
said unto them, 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.”
- While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,
Arr. Sally DeFord with flute 4-5 min
NARRATOR: (Luke 2: 13-14)
“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.”
- Congregation—Far Far Away, Hymn book 4 min
NARRATOR: (Luke 2:15-20)
“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. And they came with haste, and found
Mary, and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known
abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those
things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told
unto them.”
- All is Well, by Michael W. Smith,
4 min.
NARRATOR:
President Hinckley has said, “There
would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but
another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the
triumphant fact of the Resurrection.
“I believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of the Eternal, Living God.
None so great has ever walked the earth.
None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable
blessing. He is the Savior and the
Redeemer of the world. I believe in
Him. I declare His divinity without
equivocation or compromise. I love
Him. I speak His name in reverence and
wonder. . .
“Our joy at this season is because
He came into the world. The peace that
comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an
overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a
cost to Himself—these are the of the true essence of Christmas.” (Liahona 2000)
- Did You Sing at the Birth of the
Savior? By Janice Kapp Perry, a cappella 2 min
NARRATOR:
We read the following in a declaration
entitled “The Living Christ” written by the apostles:
“We
bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ,
the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the
right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world.
His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in
the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”
- Christmas Medley- arr. Larry
Beebe, includes Joy to the World, Angels We have Heard on High, Silent
Night (piano & organ accompaniment, with the congregation joining on the last verse) 5-6 min
Total estimated music time:
31 min
Total estimated Narration time: 10 min
Estimated length of program:
41 min
