I’m a bit behind posting this due to my unexpected hiatus, but here you go: an example of a super simple Lutheran Christmas program for a small group of kids. I put it together for our own little group, and you’ll see it’s more “put together” than written by me. 🙂 So, come on, folks! Let’s get the Word of God into the mouths of children! And, if you don’t have something, choose goodies for Christmas children’s programs from all the good stuff already graciously given to us! (I like to use the ESV version.)
A Children’s Christmas Pageant of Scripture and Carols
This is designed for a very small group of children. If you have more than we do, which I hope you do, then simply assign the children’s readings as pairs or triplets, highlighting which verses are assigned for each child. We currently have two readers and two pre-readers.
Introduction, if necessary, by the pastor
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (Optional solo)
Pastor: A reading from the Gospel of Matthew, the first chapter:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ[e] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed[f] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Children sing Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Child A: The Birth of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of Luke, the second chapter:
2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a]Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.[c]
Children sing Away in a Manger
Child B:
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[d]
Congregation sings a selection such as Angels from the Realms of Glory, Angels We Have Heard on High, or Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Child C:
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
Child D:
16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
Children sing In a Little Stable
Or
Congregation sings From Heaven Above to Earth I Come, stanzas 1-6 or 7
Child A:
18 And all who heard [the Good News of Jesus] wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Congregation sings Gentle Mary
Pastor: The final reading is from the Gospel of John, the first chapter.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[e] 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Congregation sings From Heaven Above to Earth I Come, stanzas 8-15 or other selected stanzas
PS. This may or may not be exactly the Christmas Program I’ve uploaded on various Facebook groups for Lutheran face bookers. lol I’ve tweaked it a number of times, and I’m away temporarily away from home so I can’t double-check.
