Marketplace 29 A.D.

December 14 & 15, 2012

6 - 9:00 pm

Christ United Methodist Church would like to welcome you to our annual Christmas Pageant.  It takes a week and many people to transform the church building into “Marketplace 29 A.D.”  We pray this will be a time for you to discover the true meaning of Christmas.  Your journey will last about 45 minutes. 

  The journey will be begin when you gather with others and become an Israeli Tribal Family.  You will be guided by a Roman Soldier to meet the prophet Isaiah who will foretell the coming of a Savior.

  You will experience the awe of Mary as she learns from the angel Gabriel that she has been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah.  You will travel with Mary to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child and will have a son, John the Baptist.  See them enjoy sharing their miracles.

   Next, the Census Taker will talk about the streets of Bethlehem and your journey continues in your home town where you will be counted along with other members of your family.  You will visit the Marketplace in your town where you will enjoy a meal at the Inn and stop at the shops to gather the things you will need for your stay.  You will be given eight gold coins to spend in the marketplace.   The marketplace has many shops to visit and enjoy.  You can sample food at the  bakery and candy shop.  You will also find a carpentry shop, a grain mill, a potter, and you can make a candle at the candle shop.  You will see weaving, fish net repairs, weights and measures and you can enjoy a draydel game or visit the scribe to pen a special message.   There will be music and a spice and herb shop.  Of course you will also have to deal with the tax collector as well as the beggars during your visit to the marketplace.

The Roman Soldier will gather your tribe together after a time in the marketplace and you will go to meet the shepherds out in the field who have been told by an angel that a savior has been born. 

    You will run off with them to find the baby in a manger along with Mary and Joseph.  We invite you to come and worship anew the Savior, Jesus and experience the joy and peace that He gives not only at Christmas but each and every day when He is the Lord of our lives.  God bless you during this holy season.