Child of Bethlehem
I THE VIDEO PRESENTATION
CHILD OF BETHLEHEM CHRISTMAS MUSIC CANTATA - NOVEMBER 30, 2014, OTTERBEIN UMC OF SPRY, YORK, PENNSYLVANIA (The church is now called Spry Church, a United Methodist Congregation.)
November 30, 2014 from Otterbein UMC of Spry on Vimeo.
II THE INTRODUCTION
Getting people involved in the concert is always fun! I like to ask members of the congregation to participate in the service by reading scripture passages and by providing music. And the best thing is we don't have to rehearse together to make it work!
The idea is to have people from the church read the scripture passages and then have the church present the vocal version of the Christmas carol. It would be up to each church how they would present the traditional carols. Churches have used soloists, praise teams, choirs and congregational singing to present the vocal versions of the carols.
It is best to sing only one verse of each carol to keep the concert within one hour. However, at the end of the concert I'll lead the singing of four verses of Silent Night.
III THE SYNOPSIS
ACT 1: Introduction. Keith will recite the scripture from Isaiah 9:6 and will Keith play Joy To the World instrumentally, will sing Joyous Christmas Songs and then the congregation would present the vocal version of Joy To The World.
ACTS 2 - 8: The congregation provides the reader of the Bible verse, Keith plays the instrumental carol, sings the original song for each Act and then the congregation would present the vocal version for each carol.
ACT 9 - Keith sings And I Wonder.
ACT 10 Keith plays O Holy Night instrumentally, followed by the congregation presenting the vocal version of O Holy Night.
ACT 11 Keith leads the singing for 3 verses of Silent Night via unplugged guitar and vocals and then the congregation would sing the first verse A Cappella as Keith walks off the stage to end the concert.
IV THE CONCERT OUTLINE (All scripture passages are quoted from the King James Bible)
ACT 1:
Isaiah 9:6 King James Version (KJV)
“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.
Joy To The World (Instrumental by Keith)
Joyous Christmas Songs - (Vocal by Keith) - composer Keith Andrew Grim copyright 2011
Joy To the World - (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 2:
John 1:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
“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.” (reader provided by the congregation)
What Child Is This (Instrumental by Keith)
The Word Became Flesh (Vocal by Keith) - Composer Keith Andrew Grim
What Child Is This - (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 3:
Luke 1:26-27 King James Version (KJV)
“And 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.” (Reader provided by the congregation)
God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen (Instrumental by Keith)
Rejoice Highly Favored One (Vocal by Keith)- composer Keith Andrew Grim
God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen - (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 4:
Matthew 1:18 King James Version (KJV)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Reader provided by the congregation)
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Instrumental by Keith)
Joseph’s Dream (Vocal by Keith)- composer Keith Andrew Grim
O Come O Come Emmanuel - (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 5:
Luke 2:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) (Reader provided by the congregation)
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - (Instrumental by Keith)
Child Of Bethlehem (Vocal by Keith) - composer Keith Andrew Grim
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 6:
Luke 2:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (Reader provided by the congregation)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard On High (Instrumentals by Keith)
Tidings Of Great Joy (Vocal by Keith) - composer Keith Andrew Grim
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 7:
Luke 2:15-16 King James Version (KJV)
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (Reader provided by the congregation)
The First Noel (Instrumental by Keith)
The Shepherd Song (Vocal by Keith) - composer Keith Andrew Grim
The First Noel (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 8:
Matthew 2:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
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, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship him.
(Reader provided by the congregation)
We Three Kings! (Instrumental by Keith)
The Ballad Of The Wise Men (Vocal by Keith)- - composer Keith Andrew Grim
We Three Kings (Traditional, vocal musical arrangement provided by the congregation)
ACT 9
Keith sings And I Wonder. (Composer Keith Andrew Grim)
ACT 10:
Keith plays an instrumental version of O Holy Night followed by a soloist, choir, or praise team from the church singing O Holy Night.
ACT 11:
Silent Night - Vocal Traditional -
Keith leads the congregation in singing Silent Night via unplugged vocal and guitar, singing 3 verses followed by repeating the first verse a cappella as Keith walks off the stage.
V The Lyric Outline
ACT 1: JOYOUS CHRISTMAS SONGS
Isaiah 9:6 King James Version (KJV)
“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.
Instrumental: Joy to the World.
Vocal: Joyous Christmas Songs.
Vocal: Joy to the World.
Joyous Christmas Songs– Composer: Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright December 17, 2010
1. Singing Christmas songs by the lights of the Christmas tree,
The fire’s warm glow chased the chill of the night away.
Prepare our hearts for the Child who sets us free,
Prepare our hearts for the warmth of love today,
By singing joyous Christmas songs, joyous Christmas songs!
2. God’s redeeming love came through His only Son,
Celebrate this Christmas time and be of good cheer.
Prepare our hearts for Christ the Lord has come,
Prepare our hearts this season every year,
By singing joyous Christmas songs, joyous Christmas songs!
CHORUS: Prepare our hearts for the Child who sets us free, for eternity!
Prepare our hearts for the warmth of love today, chase the chill away!
Prepare our hearts for Christ the Lord has come, God’s redeeming Son!
Prepare our hearts this season every year, and be of good cheer!
By singing joyous Christmas songs, joyous Christmas songs!
REPEAT CHORUS.
ACT 2: THE WORD BECAME FLESH
John 1:1-2King James Version (KJV)
“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.”
Instrumental: What Child is This.
Vocal: The Word Became Flesh.
Vocal: What Child is This.
The Word Became Flesh – Composer: Keith Andrew Grim Copyright 1984, 2010
1. You were with God, in the beginning,
You have become His anointed One!
The Word was with God and became flesh, the time of salvation has now begun!
You are the Light that shines in the darkness,
The Light that gives life came to the world!
Those who choose to follow Your glory, are born of God and now we are free!
CHORUS:
We are not born naturally, but sown as a righteous seed!
Jesus came to live with us, perfect in power and deed,
If we believe, we will receive, His mercy!
2. You have come made the Father known,
Through Your love the truth has now been shown.
Lift our voice with the angels sing, Alleluia to the new born King!
Alleluia, Alleluia! Glory to God in the highest!
Born that we may eternally live, in the fullness of grace new life You give!
CHORUS:
We are not born naturally, but sown as a righteous seed!
Jesus came to live with us, perfect in power and deed,
If we believe, we will receive, His mercy!
ACT 3: REJOICE! HIGHLY FAVORED ONE!
Luke 1:26-27King James Version (KJV)
“And 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.”
Instrumental: God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen
Vocal: Rejoice! Highly Favored One
Vocal: God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen
Rejoice! Highly Favored One!
Composer: Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright, August 17, 2011.
1. The angel Gabriel, was sent by God above
To a city called Nazareth in Galilee,
To a virgin promised to a man named Joseph,
Of David’s house, her name is Mary.
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Highly favored one! Rejoice! Highly favored one! The Lord is with you!
2. Mary was troubled by the angel’s words,
And she wondered what type of greeting this was
Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God
You shall bring forth a Son, His name is Jesus
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Highly favored one! Rejoice! Highly favored one! The Lord is with you!
3. Jesus will be great, called the Son of the Highest,
And of His kingdom there will be no end.
Over the house of Jacob, the throne of His father David,
Jesus will reign God will give them to Him.
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Highly favored one! Rejoice! Highly favored one! The Lord is with you!
4. Mary asked the angel, how can all this be?
He said the Holy Spirit will come upon you!
The Holy One will be called the Son of God
For the power of the Highest will overshadow you!
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Highly favored one! Rejoice! Highly favored one! The Lord is with you!
5. In her older years, your cousin Elizabeth,
Conceived a son to be the Lord’s messenger, With God nothing is impossible
Behold the maidservant, of the Holy Lord,
Let it be done to me according to your word, With God nothing is impossible
CHORUS:
Rejoice! Highly favored one! Rejoice! Highly favored one! The Lord is with you!
ACT 4: JOSEPH’S DREAM
Matthew 1:18King James Version (KJV)
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”
Instrumental: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Vocal: Joseph’s Dream
Vocal: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Joseph’s Dream – Composer Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright August 18, 2011
1. Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
The Child inside of her, conceived of the Holy Spirit, is a Holy life.
You shall call His name Jesus, He will save His people from their sins! Amen!
2. Joseph son of David, all of this was done to fulfill the prophecy,
The virgin with a Child, she will bear a Son to reign in all glory!
They shall call His name Emmanuel, The Holy God is now with us! Amen!
3. Joseph son of David, awakened from his sleep, obeyed the Holy Lord.
He took Mary as his wife, and on a blessed night, the Son of God was born.
You shall call His name Jesus, He will save His people from their sins,
They shall call His name Emmanuel, The Holy God is now with us, Amen!
ACT 5: CHILD OF BETHLEHEM
Luke 2:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Instrumental: O Little Town Bethlehem
Vocal: Child of Bethlehem
Instrumental: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Child of Bethlehem – Composer Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright August 21, 2011
1. Joseph journeyed with his wife Mary, from Nazareth down to Bethlehem.
Caesar Augustus declared a census, everyone returned to their own land.
2. Mary delivered her first born Son, while in the little town of Bethlehem.
And then she laid Him in a manger, there was no room for them in the inn.
CHORUS:
Child of Bethlehem, Savior of the world, laid in a manger on this holy night.
Child of Bethlehem, Savior of the world, bring us goodness and light!
ACT 6: TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY
Luke 2:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
Instrumental: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard on High
Vocal: Tidings of Great Joy
Vocal: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Tidings of Great Joy – Composer Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright August 22, 2011
1. Do not be afraid, I bring tidings of great joy!
Born to you today is a blessed Baby Boy!
In the city of David, a Savior is born,
In the city of David Christ the Lord!
Do not be afraid, I bring tidings of great joy!
2. This will be the sign, you will find a Baby,
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, in a manger He will be
Glory to God in the highest, the multitude of angels said,
And on the earth, peace and goodwill to men!
ACT 7: THE SHEPHERD SONG
Luke 2:15-16 King James Version (KJV)
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Instrumental: The First Noel
Vocal: The Shepherd Song
Instrumental: The First Noel
The Shepherd Song – Composer – Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright August 28, 2011
1. The shepherds went to find the little Baby Boy
Lying in the manger, they were filled with joy.
After they saw the little Baby Boy, they told everyone, they were filled with joy!
2. The people! Marveled! At the words they said,
About the Savior in the manger bed.
Mary! Pondered! These things in her heart,
And the shepherds were the first to start,
To sing praises to the new born King!
ACT 8: THE BALLAD OF THE WISE MEN
Matthew 2:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
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, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come to worship him.
Instrumental: We Three Kings
Vocal: The Ballad of the Wise Men
Vocal: We Three Kings
The Ballad of the Wise Men – Composer – Keith Andrew Grim – September 6, 2011
1. Traveling from the East in their caravan, the wise men came to Jerusalem,
Where is He who is born the King of the Jews,
We have seen His star, now we spread the news,
We have come to worship Him!
2. King Herod was troubled by the words they said, and so was everyone in Jerusalem.
He called the scribes and priests and he asked of them
Where the Christ is born, they said Bethlehem.
CHORUS:
Bethlehem, O Bethlehem, is the town the prophets said, where the Christ will be born!
Bethlehem, O Bethlehem, A Shepherd will arise, He will be Christ the Lord.
3. Herod met the wise men very secretly, to determine when they first did see
The star shining in their own homeland, and then he sent them to Bethlehem.
Search carefully for the Child.
4. When you find the Child bring back word to me, that I may worship Him in His majesty,
The wise men left the king and they followed the star,
They saw in the East, they traveled so far.
CHORUS:
Bethlehem, O Bethlehem, is the town the prophets said, where the Christ will be born!
Bethlehem, O Bethlehem, A Shepherd will arise, He will be Christ the Lord.
5. The star led the wise men ‘til it came and stood, where the young Child lived,
They knew this was good.
When they saw the Child their hearts were stirred,
They gave Him gold, frankincense, and myrrh
CHORUS 2:
Rejoice, O Rejoice, we worship the King of kings
O Rejoice, Rejoice, a brand new song we sing, O Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice!
6. The wise men were warned in a divine dream,
Don’t return to Herod, so they left for their country, by another way.
ACT 9: AND I WONDER
Vocal: And I Wonder
And I Wonder – Composer – Keith Andrew Grim – Copyright December 9, 2009
1. There’s a full moon rising in the east tonight,
As I finish hanging my Christmas lights.
A beautiful sunset in the western sky, a majestic day made by God on high…
And I wonder, if this was the kind of day it was, when Jesus Christ was born.
And I wonder, if this was the kind of day it was, that welcomed in our Lord.
2. As the sun gives way to the light of the moon,
And the peaceful night begins singing its tune
A beautiful night for a lullaby, you don’t even hear a baby cry…
And I wonder, if this was the kind of night it was, when Jesus Christ was born.
And I wonder, if this was the kind of night it was, that welcomed in our Lord.
And I wonder how much joy was there, on that first Christmas day
And I wonder how bright was the star, that led the wise men on their way,
And I wonder how the shepherds felt, when the angels all appeared
And I wonder how Mary and Joseph rejoiced, our redemption now is here.
3. As I wonder about all of these things,
I rejoice in the salvation He brings
And the little Baby born in Bethlehem, sent to us by God’s gracious hand…
And I wonder…
And I wonder how much joy was there, on that first Christmas day
And I wonder how bright was the star, that led the wise men on their way,
And I wonder how the shepherds felt, when the angels all appeared
And I wonder how Mary and Joseph rejoiced, our redemption now is here.
There’s a full moon rising in the east tonight!
ACT 10: O HOLY NIGHT
Instrumental: O Holy Night
Vocal: O Holy Night
ACT 11:
Instrumental: Silent Night
Vocal: Silent Night