Reading Through History
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✝What is a Christmas Pageant?✝
Posted
December 9, 2016
Views
5,079
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December 9, 2016
5,079
42
2
0.87%
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3:00Now PlayingThe following video provides a brief account of the history and purpose of Christmas pageants, as part of the Christmas tradition. It also includes a short retelling of the story of Jesus' birth. Get the Christmas workbook
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In this video:
Christmas pageants are an important part of the modern Christmas tradition. But how long have these pageants been a part of our customs, and why do we have them?
A Christmas pageant, or nativity play, is a tradition associated with the Christian celebration of Christmas. Typically, the pageant will relay the story of the events leading up to and just after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The story is as follows:
A young woman, Mary, was told by an angel that she would give birth to a son. During her pregnancy, she and her husband Joseph are required to travel to Bethlehem.
While in Bethlehem they are turned away from every inn and other establishment where travelers would normally stay. With each place they visit, they are informed that no rooms are available. Finally, one inn keeper gives them permission to rest in his stable, or barn, that evening. It was there in the stable where Jesus was born.
Meanwhile, in the countryside, not far away, shepherds were tending to their flocks of sheep during the night. As they watched their sheep, a large number of angels appeared to the shepherds and revealed to them this news that Jesus had been born, prompting the shepherds to seek out the newborn child.
Also, a group of astrologers known as “The Wise Men” noticed an unusually bright star in the sky. They believed the star foretold of Jesus’ birth and traveled in the direction of the star until they found the child. As gifts, the men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
This story has been played out by actors for centuries. The first known live representation of the nativity took place in 1223, and it was created by Saint Francis of Assisi. Since that time, many others have performed this drama. Today, Christian churches across the world present a Christmas pageant as part of their yearly Christmas celebrations.
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