Come Sing and Celebrate!

Here are two delightful Christmas plays for a special celebration with your parish's children, youth, and adults. "The Night Love Was Born" by Mary Jane Mulder is a contemporary reenactment, in word and song, of the first Christmas story, set within the world of imagination -- where even a cynical toy soldier can learn the true meaning of Christmas. Originally written for participation by up to fifty children, this flexible pageant can be tailored to suit the needs and resources of large or small congregations. Staging can be either simple or elaborate, and the entire performance can be presented in forty minutes. "Angels We Have Heard on High Street" by J. Richard Coyle is a modern version of the gospel's account of Christ's birth, using contemporary characters who present their message in music and mime. Parts are involved for participants of all ages, and congregational involvement is required. Staging and production are flexible and can accommodate abundant or limited resources. Performance time is also flexible. Mary Jane Mulder lives in Willmar, Minnesota, where she is an active member of the Christian Reformed Church. The mother of two daughters, Kelly and Lanae, she teaches second-graders in a local elementary school. Dick Coyle is associate pastor at Saint John's United Church of Christ, Dover, Ohio. He is especially interested in capturing the theological depths of the good news in contemporary settings through worship, drama, and preaching.