WORSHIP THE KING

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews?”

As Adapted from Matthew 2 and 3

Created by Craig Ledbetter, Pastor of Bible Baptist Church, Blarney, Ireland

CAST (Total needed is ___ besides the congregation):

PROPS and COSTUMES

A Palace labeled "King Herod's Palace"

A star that can shine dimly, all the way to brightly - would be nice to have many star lights in the backdrop.     

        The Angel of the Lord needs a pure white robe

        A drawing of Harod's Palace

        A drawing of the mountain tomb

        A bed for Joseph to lie down on

        A sign with the words, “Bethlehem, this way…”

The Narrator comes out on stage and faces the crowd. The three Readers line up behind him.

NARRATOR: Welcome to our 1999 Christmas Play, called, "Worship the King." One thousand, Nine hundred, and ninety nine years ago, something wonderful happened. Something that just couldn't be over-looked. Something that forever changed the world - and still changes hearts. It is the story of Jesus, at His birth. As we relive the events of that time so long ago, let's join with the host of heaven, the shepherds, and those wise men from the east, and just like back then, let's worship the King!

SONG:   Tell Me the Story of Jesus

READER #1: (Reading from an open Bible - Numbers 24:17) I shall see him, ... I shall behold him, ... there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel...

READER #2: (reading from an open Bible - Daniel 2: 44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

READER #3: (Reading from an open Bible - Isaiah 9:6,7) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful. Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

READER #1: (Reading from an open Bible - Isaiah 7: 14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

SONG: O Come O Come, Emmanuel

READER #2: (Luke 1.32,33) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever. and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

READER #3: (John 1.1, 2, 14) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Mary is by herself. Angel appears and faces Mary who is shocked.

NARRATOR:            Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary. The angel came to her and said unto her:

ANGEL: Fear not Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And , behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

NARRATOR:            Mary then went to Joseph and told him that an angel had appeared to her and said that she was to have a baby who would be called the Son of God.

Mary goes to Joseph in carpentry workshop -talks to Joseph -Joseph acts stunned and drops his hammer with shock at the news. Mary then walks away from Joseph as he turns to think about what she has just told him.

NARRATOR:            Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Joseph walks away to a side, and plops down heavy hearted. The lights dim, and Joseph lies down, and drifts off to sleep mumbling.

NARRATOR:            But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying,

An angel appears to him at his side.

ANGEL: Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

NARRATOR:            Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

NARRATOR:            Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Joseph sits up, and tries to shake out the cob-webs in his thoughts, and then rejoices at what the Lord was doing in his life. He goes to Mary's house and knocks at her door.

MARY:          Joseph! What are YOU doing here?

JOSEPH: Mary! I just had to see you - I believe you. The angel appeared to me as well, and now I believe the Lord. I understand what is happening, and I am so excited!

MARY: You mean it? You believe me?

JOSEPH: Yes I do, and I love you! And I want to marry you!

MARY:  You do? I mean, you still do?

JOSEPH: Yes I do! I know that God has great things ahead for both of us!

Joseph takes Mary to his home to the brief accompaniment of the BRIDAL MARCH.

Mary and Joseph are around a manger in a barn with baby Jesus, and Joseph gently caressing the baby,

NARRATOR:            And Joseph went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, 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. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth a firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

SONG:  What Child is this?

The shepherds come in around the baby Jesus looking surprised, and happy, and amazed at the baby.

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

Shepherds only to come forward and sing AWAY IN A MANGER

Wise men, come in from the front main door singing WE THREE KINGS, and are walking, talking excitedly about the new King that is born in Israel. They point to a faint star ahead of them that is slowly dimming as they arrive at the palace of king Herod. As they are singing, everyone in the congregation can join in.

SONG: We Three Kings

NARRATOR:            Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem

Wise men ask the scribes the following:

WISE MAN #1: Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

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

SCRIBE #1: Follow us and we'll take you to the king.

Wise men to ignore Herod and look around for another King - this makes Herod furious as he watches on!

WISE MAN #1: This is not the one! Not the King we seek.

WISE MAN #2: There is another one.

WISE MAN #3: Yes. Another King - the KING of kings.

Wise men introduced to the king.

HEROD: Who are these men and what do they seek?

SCRIBE #1: They are looking for a young child that is born King of the Jews, Sire. They say that they have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him !

HEROD: Oh really? Hmmmmm.

NARRATOR:            When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

HEROD: Where does the Bible say that your "King" will be born?

The scribes come forward with a scroll and show him Micah 6.,7.

NARRATOR: And they said unto him,

SCRIBE  #1: In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet Micah,

SCRIBE #2: (looking at his Scroll) And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

He looks at it over and over again in disbelief. Herod paces back and forth - trying to put on a good face - deep down he knows that a King is prophesied, and that THA T king is to be the greatest King ever

Herod then calls for the wise men to gather around him in seclusion, away from everyone else, and talks quietly to them.

HEROD: Gentlemen. if I could speak privately with you.

Herod takes the men aside and talks with them alone.

HEROD: What time did you say this "star" of yours appeared?

WISE MAN #1: About a month ago. It reminded us about the prophecy in the Bible about a Star arising in Israel when God would send His Messiah to be King and Saviour of the world.

Herod now looks devious in his intentions.

HEROD: Well, 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:            When they had heard the king, they departed.

The wise men bid the king farewell, and begin to take their journey towards Bethlehem, with excitement, and chat quietly.

A star begins again to shine brightly ahead of them!

NARRATOR:            and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

The wise men travel in the direction of the star talking excitedly amongst each other.

SONG: O Little Town Of Bethlehem

NARRATOR:            And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:

WISE MAN #1: It's Him! It's the KING! Emmanuel!

WISE MAN #2: Yes, It's the KING!

WISE MAN #3: The Lamb of God! Oh the Son of God!

The wise men bow before the baby, and pass by Mary and Joseph, and fall on their faces before Jesus, and open their gifts, presenting them to Him - Mary and Joseph watch and look on with amazement!

WISE MAN #1: Behold Lord, our humble gifts… Gold…

WISE MAN #2: Frankincense…

WISE MAN #3 And Myrrh

Everyone in the play surrounds the baby, and begins to sing JOY TO THE WORLD, and the congregation is invited to sing along.

SONG: Joy to the World.

The lights dim, and only the three Readers are prominent on stage - maybe have the wise men scene still remaining in the background, but the light mainly on the Readers now.

READER #1: (Philp 2:5-11) So, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

READER #2: (Rev 19:16) He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

READER #3: (Rev 4 11) Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

ALL 3 READERS TOGETHER: (Rev 5.13; 7.12) Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Everyone leaves off stage, and sits down.

PASTOR to preach.

CLOSING SONG: O Worship the King.