Imagine that it's Christmas Eve and you're on your way to the store before the annual candlelight service. Suddenly you find yourself transported back in time to the night of the birth of the Messiah! The places you're used to seeing are all gone; the usual trappings of modern society don't work. And, to top it off, you're placed in a situation where you have to help a young couple deal with having a baby -- with no hospital! Yikes! This imaginative chancel drama for Advent or Christmas will make the members of your congregation think about the night of Jesus' birth in a new way. A variety of ages can be used in the production from young children to older adults. The dialogue can be easily modified with local references. Suggested readings and music are included for use between scenes for additional congregational involvement. Frank Ramirez is the pastor of Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez is the author of numerous books, articles, and short stories. Frank has been a long-time writer for CSS' online subscription "StoryShare." His CSS titles include "Gabriel's Horn, The Christmas Star," "The Bee Attitudes," "Partners in Healing," " He Took a Towel," "Coming Home," "Lectionary Worship Aids "series, " "and "A Call to Worship."

In today's "hurry-up" world, it seems we rarely take the time to think of other people and "walk a mile in the other man's shoes." If we did, what would we see? They Worshiped Him revisits the nativity story from the perspective of the people who were actually there. In this dramatic retelling, we glimpse the innermost thoughts and feelings of some of the very common people whose lives were forever changed by a most extraordinary event. What did the shepherds feel? What did others think of them? Were they perceived as "eccentric"? And what about the wise men who followed the star? Did they have an entire entourage, or did people treat them like three dottering old men? And what about Mary and Joseph; how did this unusual pregnancy affect them? They Worshiped Him answers many of these questions while reminding us of the biblical characters' humanity. The singing of favorite seasonal carols is woven into the drama, encouraging audience participation. And it's an adaptable work that can be staged as elaborately or simply as you wish. While there are speaking parts for 12 angels, 5 animals, 6 shepherds, 3 magi, the innkeeper, Mary, Joseph, and a narrator, roles can easily be combined for use with any size congregation. Staging instructions are included. Far too many plays being marketed to churches today are not well written, place unreasonable requirements on the space and talent available in the average local church, and contain biblically inaccurate statements and characterizations. Gail Keffer's play They Worshiped Him doesn't present any of those problems. It is written in a flexible manner that makes it easy to adapt to a worship service, dinner theater, or a feature-length play for an annual Christmas production. It also does a magnificent job of presenting a biblically accurate version of the nativity story that can be heard, understood, and remembered by all of God's children.... We used this play two years ago, and people are still talking about it. One comment I heard was that the play "made Mary seem like a real person and not a stained-glass Madonna who's out of touch with the realities people like us face." Kari Turner McClellan Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church Levittown, Pennsylvania Gail K. Keffer is a graduate of Slippery Rock University (B.S. and M.Ed.). An active member of Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Keffer is a former schoolteacher who has run a needlework design business and is currently the proprietor of The Amish Peddler, a business specializing in the sale of fine Amish-made furniture.

Four youth, rehearsing a church Christmas play, are perplexed about why everyone appears so busy at Christmas. Through a series of events, the youth learn, to their surprise, that the real meaning of Christmas is God's gift of Jesus. Highlights of this drama: - Easy-to-rehearse - Simple, yet powerful message - Parts for four youths, up to ten young children and two adults - Five original songs for young singers - Complete order of worship provided - Performance time from 35 to 45 minutes Phyllis Futer is a free-lance writer and member of the Leola United Methodist Church, Leola, Pennsylvania. Her special interest is youth and children's ministry. With the assistance of church musician, Lorraine Gernert, she worked with a children's choir in creating this resource.

The scene for this Christmas play and worship service is a familiar one: a nativity display in a town square. As different individuals or families approach the manger scene, they hear the voice of God speaking his words of truth, encouragement, and hope to their own unique needs and circumstances. When the members of your congregation hear God's message to these individuals, they will hear God speaking to them as well. The service includes the congregational singing of familiar Christmas carols. Diane L. Gibson is a graduate of Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois. In addition to her teaching position in a Lutheran elementary school, she has been a Sunday school superintendent and the director of both children's and adult choirs. She is the author of three other published Christmas plays.

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