LOVELY BRANCHES ON THE WAY TO JESUS (CHILDREN'S CHURCH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 2024)

LOVELY BRANCHES

Lilly (Angel), Alayna (Candy Cane), Jayden (Star), David Wayne (Ornament), 

Annie (Bell), Jacob (Gold), Ainsley (Treasure), Noelle (announcer) "Baby Jesus is Born in Bethlehem!"  

Very nicely they kept their heads prominent through the tree's ornament's holes.

We'd set out gold boxes on the faux gifts on stage on which 3 of them would sit.  When Ainsley went up to sit on her gift box, saw the gold pentagon, she dropped her arms, dropped her chin, stood stock still and just looked at it.  At first, I didn't understand why she wasn't doing her part.  Mary Ann, the pianist whispered, "She doesn't like the box in her seat.  Move the box."  I did.  She sat.  LOL!

About 3 of the children asked during the practices if they could dress up.  But Lilly was the only one that really wanted to on the day of the program.  So glad she did.  We had to stack two boxes for her to feel secure, not on tippy-toes, as the angel at the top of the tree, she "shouted the news".

Jacob, holding the open gold gift box, virtually yelled, "I. Am. Gold."  Everyone laughed.  Though not the oldest, Noelle was chosen to say the final line.  It took a bit of doing to get her to put the B sound on Bethlehem, but she had the strongest and clearest voice, and did it well, "Baby Jesus born in Bethlehem."  

After church, to ready for the childrens' Christmas program titled "The Way to Jesus" we all set up the stage with the Lovely Branches Tree and then behind the curtain, set up all the doors made of cardboard for the kids to knock on as they sought to find Jesus in a manger.                                                              

                                              THE WAY TO JESUS

As a welcome they sang "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" and ad libbed with umpth, due to Mary Ann directing from the piano.  The children also sang The B-I-B-L-E with Miss Lilly conducting.  They shook bells all through Jingle Bells.  Dear Annie tried to help little 3 y.o. Ainsley swing her bells.  It upset her so she threw them down.  It was quite a night for timid Ainsley.  At the end of the song, every child raised their bells high making a grand noise. 

Ainsley Snuggling with Spencer

 

"I have experience with toddlers," wrote Theresa Wherle, a friend from New Jersey.  Needing ideas, she kindly suggested the lines for the little kids.  The sayings worked great.  They brought booties, and a pacifier, the dog barked, they heard giggles, and David Wayne, (he, too, was loud and clear) started the whole thing by standing center stage with arms stretched in a question "Where is baby Jesus?"   

Now, I have to tell you the sweetest thing.  

During rehearsals, I kept the baby doll Jesus hidden, I didn't want it to get bedraggled or dirty.  So, during the final set up, we put the doll in the manger scene.  When those 2 little boys, David Wayne and Jayden, each opened a side door to the manger scene, one squealed, "It's here!"  The other boy exclaimed "There's a baby!  LOOK!"  

ALL THE KIDS, I mean ALL THE KIDS,  left their positions.  ALL rushed on stage.  All in a cluster put their heads in the doors, "Where?  Let me see?"  "Hey, let me in!"  "I wanna see!!!"

It was hilarious!  Oh, so sweet!  Wonderful!

You think now they know the meaning of Christmas?  LOL, what a hoot!  No one predicted that would happen!

We in the audience never did see the baby Jesus.  All we saw were backsides!