Procession Of The
Manger
(To "Little Drummer Boy")
Liturgical Use: Christmas
Eve
Text: Thomas Fischer
Tune: "Little Drummer Boy"
Suggested Usage: Immediately Prior To Candlelight
Ceremony
Note: Prior to the
service select individuals to bring each of the items up to the crèche.
The crèche should be prominently displayed, perhaps under the
altar. Lights should be dimmed as each of the manger characters
are brought forward.
"Little Drummer Boy" was originally
composed by Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone
in 1958. The verses marked with an asterisk ("*") were
added and written by Thomas F. Fischer so that there would be a
verse for each person in the "Procession to the
Manger."
THE PROCESSION TO THE MANGER
(The
Congregation Is Seated. The Lights Are Dimmed As The Song,
“Little Drummer Boy” Plays In Background.)
Reader:
The manger, the mother, the Child. Tonight we celebrate those
who came to the manger on this, the holiest of nights. When
Christ came into this world, He overcame the darkness. By His
coming, sin no longer has hold over us. In His birth, we have
His grace, His presence and His light. Come now. Let us come to
the manger. Come, let us experience His light.
All:
(Sung) Come
they told me, Pa rum pum pum pum.
A newborn King to see, Pa rum pum pum pum.
Our finest gifts we bring, Pa rum pum pum pum.
To lay before the King, Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum, Rum pum pum pum.
So
to honor Him, Pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.
+
The Angel
+
Reader:
The angels were the first to announce the birth of Jesus. Who can
forget their message to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I
bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will
find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
The Angel Is Brought To The Manger As The Singing Begins.)
*
All:
(Sung) Hark,
the Angels said, Pa rum pum pum pum
”Behold, His lowly bed.” Pa rum pum pum pum
”Go see Him lying there” Pa rum pum pum pum
”In clothes so rude and bare,” Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Hear
the angels sing Pa rum pum pum pum
Glad tidings.
+
Mary
+
Reader:
Told
by the angels that she would be the mother of God, Mary pondered
all these things in her heart. As she did, she nodded with
wonder in amazement at the birth of this, her firstborn, the
Holy Child.
(Mary Is Brought To The Manger As The Singing Begins.)
All:
(Sung) Mary
coddled
Him, Pa rum pum pum pum.
The Baby in her arms, Pa rum pum pum pum.
Her eyes beheld His face, Pa rum pum pum pum.
And in His eyes she saw the King of all Kings,
Lord of all Lords, Savior of all.
Holy Child, Pa rum pum pum pum, Come in my heart.
+ Joseph
+
Reader:
At the birth of the
Child, Joseph, the once reluctant father, finally recognized the
joy that was now his. This Child—his child—was the
Messiah promised from ancient times. Spoken of by the prophets,
foretold by men of God, Joseph’s little Boy was nothing less
than the Savior,
Christ, the Lord.
(Joseph Is Brought To The
Manger As The Singing Begins.)
*
All:
(Sung) Joseph
smiled at me, Pa rum pum pum pum.
He knelt on bended knee, Pa rum pum pum pum.
He bowed before the Child, Pa rum pum pum pum,
The Baby was so mild, Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum, Rum pum pum pum.
I will pray to You, Pa rum pum pum pum,
When You come.
+
The Shepherds
+
Reader:
The amazing vision
of angels moved the Shepherds to come to the manger. As they ran
to “see this thing which had come to pass which the Lord had
made known to them,” they shared in the joyous chorus of the
angels, “Glory to God in the Highest and peace to His people
on earth!”
(The
Shepherds Are Brought To The Manger As The Singing Begins.)
* All:
(Sung) Then the Shepherds came, Pa
rum pum pum pum.
They asked the Baby’s name, Pa rum pum pum pum.
They heard the angels sing, Pa rum pum pum pum.
They came to see the King, Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum, Rum pum pum pum.
Jesus, Lamb of God, Pa rum pum pum pum,
In my heart, come.
+
The Wise Men
+
Reader: When the Star in the East
appeared, it was God’s sign that this Baby was to be worshiped
and proclaimed throughout the world. The Magi, from afar,
recognized the birth of this special King. Following the
star, they found the Holy Child and worshipped Him with
offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(The
Wise Men Are Brought To The Manger As The Singing Begins.
*
All:
(Sung)
Then
the Wise Men came, Pa rum pum pum pum.
To glorify His Name, Pa rum pum pum pum.
On that dark night so cold, Pa rum pum pum pum.
They gave Him gifts and gold, Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum, Rum pum pum pum.
You I kneel before, Pa rum pum pum pum, King of all Kings.
+
Jesus
+
(The
Congregation Shall Rise)
Reader:
And
there, in the manger, was the Baby Jesus. King of Kings and Lord
of Lords, He is the one whom Isaiah called, “Wonderful
Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of
Peace.” The Light is now come into the world. God is with us!
(Jesus Is Brought To The
Manger As The Singing
Begins.)
* All:
(Sung) Baby
Jesus,
Pa rum pum pum pum,
We come to worship You, Pa rum pum pum pum.
Let Your Light shine tonight, Pa rum pum pum pum,
On this most holy night, Pa rum pum pum pum,
Rum pum pum pum, Rum pum pum pum.
Let
Your Light shine bright, Pa rum pum pum pum,
On this night.
CHRISTMAS
PRAYER:
All:
Baby Jesus, we come before You, humble and unable to surpass the
gift You have given to us. On this most holy of nights, accept
our hearts, accept our lives and our
souls as the only fitting
gift for You. Receive us, Holy Child, as Your children forever.
Amen.
THE
PROCLAMATION OF LIGHT
P:
Behold, the Light has come! Behold, a virgin has conceived, and
borne a Son,
C:
And has called His name, “Emmanuel.”
P:
Unto us a Child is born!
C:
Unto us a Son is given.
P:
And the government shall be upon His shoulders.
C:
And His name shall be called “Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty
God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
P:
Behold, the Light of the world.
C:
Light of Christ, shine on us!
(A
Candlelight Ceremony May Begin Here)
+
+ +
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