Firewire_Xmas

Band ends Xmas Song by Dave Matthews --- lights fade on band --- then lights up on Sonya on floor

Sonya: This is a story, that when we hear it, sounds like it should begin with the words, "Once upon a time." And if you and I aren't careful if we don't slow down long enough in this month of finals, Christmas shopping and visits to-and-from family this story could feel like so many other tales you and I have heard all our lives stories of supernatural happenings and mystical events, that begin with the words, "Once upon a time."

But tonight I invite you take in this story of truth of life of love really listen to this true story that splits the timeline of all of mankind's history in two and uses a young woman and a young man to do it This is a story that doesn't begin with, "Once upon a time" but instead this true account begins with "In the beginning." We'll join this most amazing account of history, as God shows up in the love relationship of a couple our age.

Tyler: When you think of Mary and Josephthe parents of the Christ Childit's hard to imagine them being teenagers. We expect a couple a little more grown upat least college age. But no.

Joseph was my age and engaged to get married to the girl he loved, Mary. We can imagine the excitement they must have felt. Lots of things have changed in a few thousand years but I can't imagine that the human emotion of teenagers in love could be any different now, than back then. So here's two normal teenagers nothing too special about them normal, like you and mea guy and a girlin love and engaged to be married

But then something ugly happens. Mary becomes unexpectedly pregnant. Pregnant like no teenager since or ever again. Pregnant, not by a young man but pregnant by God's miraculous power.

It doesn't tell us exactly how Joseph finds out his fiancée is pregnantbut let's just imagine you or me in that situation

Imagine the girl you're dating tells you she's pregnantand before you can get a word out of your mouth, you realize there's no way that's possible --- because you don't have that kind of relationship

And since it's not possible that the child is yours, there can be only one other possibility she must have slept with someone elseshe must have lied to youshe must have done something totally immoraland she's your fiancée.

Imagine that while all this is racing through your mind before you can explode all over her, with all the attitude that she has coming to her

Tyler: (in disgusted disbelief) Yeah right! The girl you "love" is pregnantthat's not bad enough? (deadpan sarcasm) but now she's telling you it's not by a PERSON, but by the Almighty God.

Imagine being so totally in love with the girl you're going to marryand now your pregnant fiancée tells you that.

They were saving themselves for each otherHow could she throw everything away by sleeping with someone and on top of that, make up such an unbelievable story? Don't you think it would make you question if the two of you had ever even been in love?

Sonya: You might wonder how a girl could tell her fiancée --- the one she loved --- that she was pregnant by some way as unbelievable as by God's Holy Spirit. But the truth is, something very unbelievable did happen.

Angel (voice only): "Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, beautiful inside and out. God be with you."

Sonya: Mary was totally flustered --- totally as freaked out as you or I would be if an angel showed up in our roomdon't think that back then people were used to seeing angels. In fact it had been over 500 years with Daniel and the lion's den, since God had sent an angel But an angel was thereAnd the angel Gabriel continued talking to Mary:

Angel: "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David; He will rule Jacob's house forever --- no end, ever, to His kingdom."

Sonya: Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man." The angel answered:

Angel: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy Holy Son of God."

Sonya: And then Mary said, "I am the Lord's servantand I am willing to accept whatever He wants May everything you have said come true." And then the angel, Gabriel, left.

And later it's as if all of Mary's fears melted away. God new this plan was so importantHe knew that Mary would need a sign more clear than a thought in her mind or a feeling in her gutso for the first time in over 500 years, God sent an angel to talk to her.

As I'm sure any girl in this room can relate it would take something that incrediblea face-to-face encounter with an angel to convince her she was not crazy to encourage her with God's words for her to agree to carry a child. (pause)

For her to be able to look her fiancé in the face and say, "I'm pregnantand the baby is not yours" to endure the mocking and the disapproving looks of a teenage girl pregnant outside of marriage.

"I'm bursting with God-news! I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened ---- I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!

What God has done for me will never be forgottenthe God whose very name is holyset me apart from all others"

Tyler: Joseph still couldn't deal with what was happening to his life. In his mind all he knew was that his fiancé was pregnant by someone else. And at that time under Jewish tradition, Joseph probably thought he only had two optionshave her stoned to death or divorce her neither of which was going to be pretty.

He decided to divorce her as quietly as possible. Back then, it took a divorce to get out of an engagement. This was going to be an unbelievable disgrace to him and to Mary divorce wasn't the common occurrence it is now then, it was a horrible dishonor and then later to see an unwed Mary becoming pregnant would be the gut-wrenching icing on the cake.

As he fell asleep one night, thinking about this decision in a dream, God's angel spoke to Joseph

Angel: "Joseph, son of Daviddo not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a sonand youyou Joseph, are to name him Jesus, which means 'the Lord saves'for He will save people from their sins."

Tyler: "And when Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife and she remained a virgin until her son was born."

This couple these normal teenagers Mary and Joseph were now back together and married in love and God's love inside Mary's womb growing little by little every day growing larger stretching the teenage tummy of the virgin motherMary was carrying God's love for all mankind.

Sonya: Late in Mary's pregnancy, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire a census to make sure everyone paid their taxes. This meant Joseph and Mary would have to make a three day journey from Nazareth to the town of their roots the town that birthed their great ancestor, King Davidthe little town of Bethlehem.

Now, imagine Mary ready to deliver at any time making a 3 day tripon the back of a donkey no carno smooth ride no reclining seat no rest areas maybe a blanket or pillow at beston the back of a constantly-bumpy donkey.

And when they finally do get to Bethlehem they find there is no place to stay. The town is probably full full of people who had to return for the same reason they'd made the trip only Mary and Joseph didn't come just to pay Caesar what was due Caesar they had come to do their part, for a baby that would eventually pay the price for an entire world. (pause)

"There, in something resembling a stable she gave birth to a son, her firstborn And Joseph did name him Jesus as the angel had told him to Mary wrapped her babyJesus in cloth strips and laid him in a manger

When we think of a manger, we probably think of a sweet little part of a Nativity scene --- but let's not be fooled --- a manger is a food trough for animals --- it's a food trough, not a crib for the Son of God a food trough is no crib, for a King. (pause)

That night, some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Out of nowhere, an angel of the Lord showed up and in the darkness, the blinding light of God's glory surrounded them These normally fearless men who would take on anything to protect their flocks were now incredibly frightenedbut the angel reassured them:

Angel: "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior---yes, the Messiah --- the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem---the city of David! And this is how you will recognize himyou will find a baby lying in a feeding troughwrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

Sonya: And if that wasn't enough the one angel was joined by a vast host of others---the armies of heaven---angels praising God singing, "Glory to God in the highest heavenand peace on earth to all whom God favors."

Tyler (voice only from seat) "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Sonya: They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the babylying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

(soft & tender) "But Mary...quietly treasured in her heart, all these things that had happenedand thought about them often "

She must have reflected on the love Joseph had for God and the love Joseph had for herand now for their son. (pause)

She must have reflected on God's love for her choosing hernot the most spiritualnot the prettiestnot the most popular girl to bring His Son into the world

And she must have held that babythat Holy Infantin her teenage arms and cooed in His face and gave Him the kind of mommy hugsthat only come after the pain and suffering of child birth

And that Holy Baby full of God's love wrapped up by Mary's love three decades from then, would spill His love over you and me

Tyler: Our prayer is that we all leave here tonight with a fresh appreciation for the real reason for Christmasthat it's not about being good it's not about buying presents it's not about Santa Claus it's not about a talking snowman or flying reindeer.

Sonya: Our prayer is that we all walk out of here realizing that 2,000 years ago, in a small town, God chose a normal couple our age to bring His son into the world

Tyler: Our prayer is that we all realize this holiday is about the birth of Christthe child King who was laid in a feeding troughnot a velvet crib

Sonya: Our prayer is that we all realize the hope of our world is not in politics, money, power, or intelligence but hope is found only in the baby Joseph named "Jesus", which means "the Lord saves."

Tyler: When we sing Christmas carols, let's remember they are not songs about a story that began with the words, "Once upon a time."

Sonya: They are songs about our History songs about a true story of the virgin birththat began with the words, "In the beginning." And from "the beginning" to todayis a God who is motivated by His love...for you...and for me.

Tonight we celebrate the birth of the Baby ---Jesus brought into the world to save us because God loves us all...everyone. And though it all...God's love was...and is... all around.



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		The Christmas Story (Firewire Café version youth ministry Xmas service) -Morgan Young 12.16.01 (Contains text from The Message and New Living Translation of Matthew and Luke) "CHRISTMAS SONG" -Dave Matthews (only a couple words changed & some verses omitted) She was his girl; he was her boyfriend Soon be his wife; take him as her husband A surprise on the way, anyday, anyday One healthy little giggling dribbling baby boy The wise men came three made their way To shower him love While he lay in the hay Shower him with love love love Love love love Love, love is all around His heart was full of love love love Love love love Love love is all around When Jesus Christ was nailed to his tree, He said "Oh Daddy-o I can see how it all soon will be I came to shed a little light on this darkening scene Instead I fear I spill the love of my children all around." The love of our children all around The love of our children all around The love of our children all around So the story goes - so I'm told The people he knew were Less than golden hearted Gamblers and robbers Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers Searching for love love love chorus: Love love love Love love is all around Band ends Xmas Song by Dave Matthews --- lights fade on band --- then lights up on Sonya on floor (All parts played by teenagers) Sonya: This is a story, that when we hear it, sounds like it should begin with the words, "Once upon a time." And if you and I aren't careful if we don't slow down long enough in this month of finals, Christmas shopping and visits to-and-from family this story could feel like so many other tales you and I have heard all our lives stories of supernatural happenings and mystical events, that begin with the words, "Once upon a time." But tonight I invite you take in this story of truth of life of love really listen to this true story that splits the timeline of all of mankind's history in two and uses a young woman and a young man to do it This is a story that doesn't begin with, "Once upon a time" but instead this true account begins with "In the beginning." We'll join this most amazing account of history, as God shows up in the love relationship of a couple our age. Fade out lights on Sonya ------ fade UP on Micah stage Micah Interlude ("Love, love, love, is all around" chorus from Dave Matthews song) Fade down on Micah & UP on Tyler Tyler: When you think of Mary and Josephthe parents of the Christ Childit's hard to imagine them being teenagers. We expect a couple a little more grown upat least college age. But no. Joseph was my age and engaged to get married to the girl he loved, Mary. We can imagine the excitement they must have felt. Lots of things have changed in a few thousand years but I can't imagine that the human emotion of teenagers in love could be any different now, than back then. So here's two normal teenagers nothing too special about them normal, like you and mea guy and a girlin love and engaged to be married But then something ugly happens. Mary becomes unexpectedly pregnant. Pregnant like no teenager since or ever again. Pregnant, not by a young man but pregnant by God's miraculous power. It doesn't tell us exactly how Joseph finds out his fiancée is pregnantbut let's just imagine you or me in that situation Imagine the girl you're dating tells you she's pregnantand before you can get a word out of your mouth, you realize there's no way that's possible --- because you don't have that kind of relationship And since it's not possible that the child is yours, there can be only one other possibility she must have slept with someone elseshe must have lied to youshe must have done something totally immoraland she's your fiancée. Imagine that while all this is racing through your mind before you can explode all over her, with all the attitude that she has coming to her She says (from seat) Sonya: The baby is not yours!I'm pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God. Tyler: (in disgusted disbelief) Yeah right! The girl you "love" is pregnantthat's not bad enough? (deadpan sarcasm) but now she's telling you it's not by a PERSON, but by the Almighty God. Imagine being so totally in love with the girl you're going to marryand now your pregnant fiancée tells you that. They were saving themselves for each otherHow could she throw everything away by sleeping with someone and on top of that, make up such an unbelievable story? Don't you think it would make you question if the two of you had ever even been in love? Lights down on Tyler & UP on Micah Micah Interlude ("Love, love, love, is all around" chorus from Dave Matthews song) Lights down on Micah & UP on Sonya Sonya: You might wonder how a girl could tell her fiancée --- the one she loved --- that she was pregnant by some way as unbelievable as by God's Holy Spirit. But the truth is, something very unbelievable did happen. In the village of Nazareth, God sent the angel, Gabriel to Mary. The angel said to her, Angel (voice only): "Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, beautiful inside and out. God be with you." Sonya: Mary was totally flustered --- totally as freaked out as you or I would be if an angel showed up in our roomdon't think that back then people were used to seeing angels. In fact it had been over 500 years with Daniel and the lion's den, since God had sent an angel But an angel was thereAnd the angel Gabriel continued talking to Mary: Angel: "Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called 'Son of the Highest.' The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father, David; He will rule Jacob's house forever --- no end, ever, to His kingdom." Sonya: Mary said to the angel, "But how? I've never slept with a man." The angel answered: Angel: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy Holy Son of God." Sonya: And then Mary said, "I am the Lord's servantand I am willing to accept whatever He wants May everything you have said come true." And then the angel, Gabriel, left. And later it's as if all of Mary's fears melted away. God new this plan was so importantHe knew that Mary would need a sign more clear than a thought in her mind or a feeling in her gutso for the first time in over 500 years, God sent an angel to talk to her. As I'm sure any girl in this room can relate it would take something that incrediblea face-to-face encounter with an angel to convince her she was not crazy to encourage her with God's words for her to agree to carry a child. (pause) For her to be able to look her fiancé in the face and say, "I'm pregnantand the baby is not yours" to endure the mocking and the disapproving looks of a teenage girl pregnant outside of marriage. And the angel's visit worked. Because after the angel, Gabriel, left she said, "I'm bursting with God-news! I'm dancing the song of my Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened ---- I'm the most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgottenthe God whose very name is holyset me apart from all others" In those words we can see the love Mary felt from Godand the love she had for God. Lights down on Sonya & UP on Micah Micah Interlude ("Love, love, love, is all around" chorus from Dave Matthews song) Lights down on Micah & up on Tyler Tyler: Joseph still couldn't deal with what was happening to his life. In his mind all he knew was that his fiancé was pregnant by someone else. And at that time under Jewish tradition, Joseph probably thought he only had two optionshave her stoned to death or divorce her neither of which was going to be pretty. He decided to divorce her as quietly as possible. Back then, it took a divorce to get out of an engagement. This was going to be an unbelievable disgrace to him and to Mary divorce wasn't the common occurrence it is now then, it was a horrible dishonor and then later to see an unwed Mary becoming pregnant would be the gut-wrenching icing on the cake. As he fell asleep one night, thinking about this decision in a dream, God's angel spoke to Joseph Angel: "Joseph, son of Daviddo not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a sonand youyou Joseph, are to name him Jesus, which means 'the Lord saves'for He will save people from their sins." Tyler: "And when Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife and she remained a virgin until her son was born." This couple these normal teenagers Mary and Joseph were now back together and married in love and God's love inside Mary's womb growing little by little every day growing larger stretching the teenage tummy of the virgin motherMary was carrying God's love for all mankind. Lights down on Tyler & up on Micah Micah Interlude ("Love, love, love, is all around" chorus from Dave Matthews song) Lights down on Micah & up on Sonya Sonya: Late in Mary's pregnancy, Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire a census to make sure everyone paid their taxes. This meant Joseph and Mary would have to make a three day journey from Nazareth to the town of their roots the town that birthed their great ancestor, King Davidthe little town of Bethlehem. Now, imagine Mary ready to deliver at any time making a 3 day tripon the back of a donkey no carno smooth ride no reclining seat no rest areas maybe a blanket or pillow at beston the back of a constantly-bumpy donkey. And when they finally do get to Bethlehem they find there is no place to stay. The town is probably full full of people who had to return for the same reason they'd made the trip only Mary and Joseph didn't come just to pay Caesar what was due Caesar they had come to do their part, for a baby that would eventually pay the price for an entire world. (pause) The only place they could find to stay was a place where animals were housed. "There, in something resembling a stable she gave birth to a son, her firstborn And Joseph did name him Jesus as the angel had told him to Mary wrapped her babyJesus in cloth strips and laid him in a manger When we think of a manger, we probably think of a sweet little part of a Nativity scene --- but let's not be fooled --- a manger is a food trough for animals --- it's a food trough, not a crib for the Son of God a food trough is no crib, for a King. (pause) That night, some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Out of nowhere, an angel of the Lord showed up and in the darkness, the blinding light of God's glory surrounded them These normally fearless men who would take on anything to protect their flocks were now incredibly frightenedbut the angel reassured them: Angel: "Don't be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior---yes, the Messiah --- the Lord---has been born tonight in Bethlehem---the city of David! And this is how you will recognize himyou will find a baby lying in a feeding troughwrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" Sonya: And if that wasn't enough the one angel was joined by a vast host of others---the armies of heaven---angels praising God singing, "Glory to God in the highest heavenand peace on earth to all whom God favors." When the angels left them the shepherd said to each other, Tyler (voice only from seat) "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Sonya: They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the babylying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. And all who heard the shepherds' story were amazed (soft & tender) "But Mary...quietly treasured in her heart, all these things that had happenedand thought about them often " She must have reflected on the love Joseph had for God and the love Joseph had for herand now for their son. (pause) She must have reflected on God's love for her choosing hernot the most spiritualnot the prettiestnot the most popular girl to bring His Son into the world And she must have held that babythat Holy Infantin her teenage arms and cooed in His face and gave Him the kind of mommy hugsthat only come after the pain and suffering of child birth And that Holy Baby full of God's love wrapped up by Mary's love three decades from then, would spill His love over you and me Lights down on Sonya & up on Micah Micah Interlude ("Love, love, love, is all around" chorus from Dave Matthews song) ( Sonya & Travis together to end) ( Micah may play softly under? ) Lights down on Micah & up on Tyler & Sonya Tyler: Our prayer is that we all leave here tonight with a fresh appreciation for the real reason for Christmasthat it's not about being good it's not about buying presents it's not about Santa Claus it's not about a talking snowman or flying reindeer. Sonya: Our prayer is that we all walk out of here realizing that 2,000 years ago, in a small town, God chose a normal couple our age to bring His son into the world Tyler: Our prayer is that we all realize this holiday is about the birth of Christthe child King who was laid in a feeding troughnot a velvet crib Sonya: Our prayer is that we all realize the hope of our world is not in politics, money, power, or intelligence but hope is found only in the baby Joseph named "Jesus", which means "the Lord saves." Tyler: When we sing Christmas carols, let's remember they are not songs about a story that began with the words, "Once upon a time." Sonya: They are songs about our History songs about a true story of the virgin birththat began with the words, "In the beginning." And from "the beginning" to todayis a God who is motivated by His love...for you...and for me. Tonight we celebrate the birth of the Baby ---Jesus brought into the world to save us because God loves us all...everyone. And though it all...God's love was...and is... all around. Lights down on Sonya / Tyler & up on Micah Micah reprise The Christmas Song contemporary versions of Xmas carols followed ending with a candle lit "Silent Night" < back top o'page home page