A WORLD OF WINTER LIGHTS

HOLIDAY PAGEANT 2012Witten by Layne Richard-Hammock based on a story by Connie Dunn. Revised by Renee Cogil in 2009, and again revised by Anine Singh-de Grood and Cindy Wakeland in 2012.

Introduction:

Leader: Cindy Wakeland: In the past we have retold many old stories from around the world at this special time of year, reliving and rethinking some of our holiday traditions. A common thread woven through many winter holiday traditions and stories is the presence of light – the light of a candle, a star, a bon fire – the light of love, of life, of God. Today the children and youth of our religious education program will present to you, “A World of Winter Lights” as we revisit some of these age old traditions, looking for meaning and understanding, and noticing their beauty. We invite you to join us on a journey through these traditions, a journey through “A World of Winter Lights.”

Advent Section(When the narrator says, ‘A World of Winter Lights’ that is the cue for teachers to start coming forward. Advent Narrators 1 and 3 will go to the pulpit mic. Advent Narrator 2 will go to the freestanding mic. Advent wreath lighter comes forward with others, places the advent wreath on the altar and stands beside the altar to light the candles The readings proceed.)

Narrator 1: ____________ December is a traditional time of waiting, of tension between anticipation and fulfillment. We begin our program with Advent. Advent is a time waiting for the coming of the Son, light of the world in the birth of Christ. The Christian celebration of Christmas honors the coming of the Son – S-O-N, even as the Earth based tradition of Solstice honors the coming of the Sun, S-U-N both a celebration of light over darkness.

Narrator 2 ___________:Lighting candles around the time of the winter solstice is a pagan practice but was incorporated in Christian church services to symbolize hope of the coming of Christ as the light of the world. Advent means ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. The traditional advent wreath is reminiscent of the wheel of the

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year. From the Christian tradition the circle of the wreath reminds us of God, God’s eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.

Narrator 3____________ The four candles, one for each Sunday in December, represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent and for each of the cardinal directions. The middle candle represents Christ. Lighting the advent candles, one at a time on each December Sunday, is a thoughtful and joyous way to prepare for Christmas, the winter solstice, and the turning of the year.

Narrator 1__________: On the first Sunday, light the candle on the eastern side of the wreath, the candle of faith: (light the candle)

Narrator 2___________: Spirit of the East, spirit of air, of morning and springtime: Be with us as the sun rises, in times of beginning, times of planting. Inspire us with the fresh breath of courage and faith as we go forth into new adventures.

Narrator 3___________: On the second Sunday, light the candle on the southern side of the wreath, the candle of hope: (light the candle)

Narrator 1___________: Spirit of the South, spirit of fire, of noontime and summer: Be with us through the heat of the day and help us to be ever hopeful. Warm us with strength and energy for the work that awaits us.

Narrator 2_________: On the third Sunday, light the candle on the western side of the wreath, the candle of love: (light the candle)

Narrator 3__________: Spirit of the West, spirit of water, of evening and autumn: Flow through us with a cooling, healing quietness and bring us peace. Be with us as the sunsets and help us to appreciate the love that enriches us.

Narrator 1____________: On the fourth Sunday, light the candle on the northern side of the wreath, the candle of joy: (light the candle)

Narrator 2:___________ Spirit of the North, spirit of earth, of nighttime and winter: Be with us in the darkness, in the time of

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gestation. Ground us in the wisdom of the changing seasons that we find joy in the spiraling journey of our lives.

Narrator 1:___________ On Christmas eve light the Christ candle in the center of all directions, east, south, west and north. The candle of truth. (light the candle) The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not over come it. (light the center candle)

ALL voices : Blessed be and Amen

(________ ..please be sure a Hymnal is on the lectern, open to #616 ready for _______)

________: Please open your hymnal to # 616.

__________ you read the plain print lines and the congregation will respond with the Italic print lines.

Cindy when reading is finished it is time for you to come up to the free standing microphone and when everyone is settled down and quite, then say…

(Narrators and wreath lighters take your places in the pews.)

Leader: Cindy Wakeland:

Please join us in singing hymn #225, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

(Diwali students exit side isle during hymn to prepare to enter down center isle, and pick up diyas)

Diwali Section: (follows Advent)

(Diwali narrators come up to the pulpit at the end of hymn #225, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. You will take turns reading the narration. Diwali students come up as well, holding their little clay lamps and standing across the stage area)

Narrator 1: ____________: From India comes Diwali, the Hindu "festival of lights”, the brightest and most widely known of the Hindu festivals. Diwali’s name comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, which means ‘row of lamps.’

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Narrator 2: ____________: According to tradition, Diwali celebrates the joyous homecoming of Lord Rama. Rama endured 14 years of exile during his fight against evil. When Rama and his wife Sita returned to rule their kingdom, their people welcomed them home and lit the way with thousands of small clay oil lamps called diya.

Narrator 1: ____________: Lord Rama is an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Sita is an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. The phrase, “one church, many paths” could certainly describe India’s Hindu religious traditions, and like Hinduism itself, the observance of Diwali is richly varied. The Rama tradition is widespread but for most Hindus the worship of the goddess Lakshmi is the main focus of Diwali. Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is also widely honored, as are other gods and goddesses.

Narrator 2: ____________: Puja, or the worship of Gods, takes place in homes and in temples with prayers and other offerings. Colorful candles are lit alongside diya, while fireworks light up the night sky. Many lights are lit to welcome Rama and Sita, and to illuminate the path so that Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune, can find her way and bring blessings of abundance to homes and families.

Leader : Cindy Wakeland: We will share with you now a Hindu prayer-chant for the goddess Lakshmi: (students say chant with Cindy)

Om Sri Maha Lakxmaye Namah Om

Please join in chanting, the words are in your order of service.

(Congregation and Diwali students and narrators all chant together while Diwali students come forward with their diya, placing them one by one on the altar.)

Om Sri Maha Lakshmaye Namah Om

(repeat until all Diwali students are done placing their diyas on the altar)

(All Diwali presenters take place on upper stage.)

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Hanukkah section: (follows Diwali)

(Narrators take your place at the pulpit mic. Menorah speakers take your place at the freestanding mic. The rest of the class carry the menorah and place it on the altar. When the prayer is read students take turns lighting a menorah candle until all are lit.)

Narrator 1: ____________ Another winter celebration called Festival of Lights is from the Jewish tradition and is known as Hanukkah. About 175 B.C.E. (before the common era), that’s almost two thousand two hundred years ago-invaders took over the Jewish Temples. Judah Mattathias and his seven sons, including Judas Maccabee, whose name means The Hammer of God, defeated the invaders in what became known as the Maccabees' revolt.

Narrator 2: ____________ When they returned to the Temple and were ready to light the Lamp of Life to rededicate the Temple, there was only a tiny amount of sanctified oil available. Keeping the flame lit was very important, and miraculously this flame lasted for eight days, long enough for messengers to return with a full store of oil. Today, the Menorah has eight candles to represent the eight days the flame burned. The main theme of Hanukkah is re-dedication. This is a time to notice little things that open our eyes to the bigger things and open our hearts to liberation and a re-dedication to our spiritual practice.

Narrator 1: ____________The date of Hanukkah is determined according to the Jewish lunar or moon based calendar. Like Diwali, the date of Hanukkah is different each year. Hanukkah can be in November or in December. The Menorah is lit from left to right, one candle on each of the 8 days of Hanukkah using a ‘Shamash’ or servant candle. This morning in honor of our Jewish heritage we will light them all. (Light center candle to be used as light for other candles)_______________

Menorah speaker 1: ____________ (While speaker 1 is reading students at the altar light the first 4 candles as they face the congregation using the center candle to light the others.)While the candles are lit each night a prayer is spoken in Hebrew.

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In English this prayer reads, Blessed are thou, oh Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.

Menorah speaker 2: ____________ (While speaker 2 is reading students at the alter light the last 4 candles starting from the left.)

Blessed are thou, oh Lord our God, King of the Universe,

who performed miracles for our ancestors in days gone by,

at this, the Hanukkah season.

Leader: Cindy Wakeland:

Please join in singing Hymn # 221 ‘Light One Candle.’

(Hanukkah narrators and menorah speakers and lighters take seats in upper stage area.

Solstice Section: (follows Hanukkah)(At the end of Hymn #221 ‘Light One Candle’ Solstice Narrator comes to the pulpit mic, Solstice Speakers come to the freestanding mic. Candle lighters come forward, solstice candles (one black, one white) are on table. Light the candles as speakers 1 and 2 read their lines. Rest of YRUU students come forward for hymn singing.)

Solstice Narrator:________________: In the northern hemisphere, this is the time of the Winter Solstice, a celebration of transition from dark back to light. Winter Solstice falls on the shortest day of the year. The celebration is in honor of the returning light and the power that comes in the sun’s rays. It is a time of rest and renewal, a preparation for the coming year. It is a time of balance between Dark and Light.

Speaker 1:_____________________: I represent the Dark side of the Spiral and for 5 more days I reign until the Solstice arrives, the longest night of the year. (Light the black candle)

Speaker 2:_____________________: I represent the Return of the Light and in 6 days the wheel will have turned and I will reign once again. (Light the white candle)

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Speaker 1:_____________________: We spiral around the sacred ever-turning wheel of the year and arrive back again at the same but new place and we celebrate our journey.

Leader: Cindy Wakeland: Here is a solstice prayer:

Blessings on this Winter Solstice day; that the sun might return once more.

Blessings for the people, that light might shine in their hearts, and peace may prevail.

Blessings for the earth, that grows life deep in her womb; that people shall care for her.

Blessings for Winter Solstice day, Merry Yule, Happy Home, Contented Hearth.

Bless, Blessed, Blessed Be!

Please join in singing two verses of Hymn #72, Has Summer Come Now, Dawning, a hymn for the Winter Solstice.

(YRUU takes their places on upper stage following hymn. St Lucia students exit side isles and prepare to walk up center isle with battery candles and star sticks)

St. Lucia Section: (follows Solstice)All kids wear white dresses or tunics with red sashes. One child will have on the crown of lights and carry the tray of cookies. The Star boys will have on their miter crowns and carry a star stick. Girls will have simple wreaths on their heads and carry a candle. When the solstice hymn is finished, preschoolers put on their crowns and hats and wait for Santa Lucia song to walk down the isle up to the center of the stage and stand on the upper stage area on stars marked on the floor.

Santa Lucia Narrator 1:_______________: Another winter holiday celebration of lights is Santa Lucia Day. It is celebrated every December 13 in Sweden. In Sweden the winters are very dark and long and bitterly cold. The Northern part of Sweden lies above the Arctic Circle, where the winter is like night, with no daylight at all.

Santa Lucia Narrator 2:_______________: If you had lived in Sweden long ago, you would have dreaded the longest night of the

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year because everyone thought that bad spirits prowled that dark night to do evil.

People longed for a friendly spirit to bring back the light and to frighten away the demons. In time, over the centuries, people pictured this spirit of light in their minds as a young girl wearing a crown of candles in her hair.

(Enter Santa Lucia students. Come up center aisle and stand on upper stage. Kent plays the melody of the Santa Lucia song we are all going to sing a little later.)

Santa Lucia Narrator 1:________________: Eventually, the Christians turned the celebration of December 13 into a time to honor the Christian saint, Santa Lucia. Lucia means “light.” There are different stories about Santa Lucia. One story says that during a time of famine, when nothing would grow, St. Lucia came to Sweden bringing food and drink to the starving people.

Santa Lucia Narrator 2:________________: Today in Sweden, nearly every home celebrates Santa Lucia Day. The oldest daughter in the family represents St. Lucia, the Queen of Lights. She gets up at dawn, makes coffee and bakes special holiday treats. Then she dresses in a white gown with a red sash. She puts on a crown made of evergreens, topped with real candles. Her younger sisters dress in white robes too. The boys in the family dress as star boys, with white robes and high pointed caps decked with silver stars. The candles on Santa Lucia’s crown are lighted, and she carries a tray of coffee and buns to her parent’s room. She wakes them up by singing a song called “Santa Lucia,” accompanied by her brothers and sisters.

(First Service,3-5 grade Kawanzaa students exit side isles to prepare to process with some carrying candes and holders Second service, YRUU students come back forward, candles are on the table)

Leader: Cindy Wakeland: Please join us in singing, Santa Lucia. The words and music are printed in your order of service.

Through snowy winter days Thy song comes winging.

To waken earth again. Glad carols bringing.

Come Thou, O Queen of Light. Wearing Thy crown so bright,

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

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(Santa Lucia candles are put in sand inside wreath and boys put sticks in sand bucket, students take their place on upper stage area. Second service if there are no children turn on electric candles in wreath that will be on the table.)

The Festival of Kwanzaa section: follows St. Lucia(Kwanzaa readers and lighters come forward to the standing mics and bring candles forward to table table. Second service candles will be on table)

Narrator 1:_______________

Kwanzaa is a 7-day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection and a time of endings and beginnings. Dr. Maulana Karenga created the holiday of Kwanzaa in 1966, during the transforming first steps during the period of US history in which African Americans were involved in struggles for their civil rights. This was the period of Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement. The dates of the celebration were chosen to correspond to the end of the year celebrations in America. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and continues until New Years Day, January 1st. This intentionally bypassed the commercial buying period but took advantage of the seasonal holiday spirit.

Narrator 2__________: The “first fruit” or harvest festivals that were celebrated throughout Africa inspired Dr. Karenga. He created a celebration that reflects many cultures of Africa. In fact the name he gave to the holiday, "Kwanzaa," comes from the Swahili phrase for "first fruit" - matunda ya kwanza. Included in the celebration is the lighting of the Kinara, the holder of 1 black, three green and three red candles, the colors of Africa. Each of the candles are lit, one for each of the 7 days of Kwanzaa. Narrator 3_________: Today, as we did with the Menorah, we will light all of the candles. And like all of the celebrations we honor today, we recognize their

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common threads with respect and appreciation. We are learning about these traditions to deepen our understanding of our sisters and brothers faith traditions. We are not calling them our own.  Narrator 4_________ : On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit, representing Umoja (oo-MOH-jah) the first principle of Kwanzaa – Umoja (oo-MOH-jah) means Unity. (light black candle)_____________

Narrator 1________: On the second day the farthest red candle on the left is lit for  Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): the 2nd principle of Kwanzaa - Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): means Self-Determination. (light the far left red candle)___________Narrator 2________: On the third day the farthest right green candle is lit. This represents Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa – Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): means Collective work and responsibility. (Light far right green candle) __________________Narrator 3________: On the fourth day the next red candle on the left is lit. It  represents Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH):    the 4th principle of Kwanzaa - Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): means Collective economics. (Light next red candle) ________________Narrator 4_______: On the fifth day the next green candle representing Nia (NEE-ah) the 5th principle of Kwanzaa Nia (NEE-ah):means Purpose. (light green candle)___________________Narrator 1: On the sixth day the then the final red candle is lit. This represents Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): the 6th principle of Kwanzaa - Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): means Creativity. (Light last red candle) __________Narrator 2_________: And finally on the seventh day the last green candle is lit. It represents Imani (ee-MAH-nee): the 7th principle of Kwanzaa - Imani (ee-MAH-nee):means  Faith. (Light last green candle)____________ Cindy Wakeland : Let’s lift our voices in celebration of the spirit of human beings everywhere in singing # 172 Siph' Amandala

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UU Principle Lights: (follows Kawnzaa)

(As the song, Siph’ Amandala, draws to a close, UU Principle Narrators go to the pulpit mic, the seven Principles Readers(at second service all students ) form a semi-circle at the freestanding mic. The candle lighters goes to the altar where seven candles are placed in the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.)

UU Principles Narrator 1:__________________: We visited a wealth of lights around the world and a rich diversity of humankind. There is so much we all have in common with each other.

Let us meditate on how our own Unitarian Universalist principles could spark our spirit in this season and throughout the year.

UU Principles Narrator 2: ________________: You are invited to close your eyes … listen to the words. See yourself in a mirror as the meaning of each principle comes into focus… take a moment to be with whatever thoughts or images come to you in the middle of this winter holiday season. A soft chime will sound just before the next reading…get comfortable…. draw in a deep breath…. Let it out slowly and fully….(Tone Chime….)

Red Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our first principle is red, for ‘Respect the importance and value of all beings’ (…. then a short silence followed by... chime) (Light candle) 

Orange Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our second principle is orange, for ‘Offer fair and kind treatment to everyone’ ( ... then a short silence followed by... chime.) (Light candle)

Yellow Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our third principle is yellow, for ‘Yes to spiritual growth and learning together’ (...then a short silence followed by... chime.) (Light candle)

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Green Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our fourth principle is green, for ‘Grow by exploring ideas and finding your truth’ (...then a short silence followed by... chime.) (Light candle)

Blue Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our fifth principle is blue, for ‘Believe in our ideals and voice your vote’ (...then a short silence followed by... chime.) (Light candle)

Indigo Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our sixth principle is indigo, for ’Insist on justice, freedom and peace for all’ (...then a short silence followed by... chime.) (Light candle)

Violet Principle Reader- ______________, Lighter ____________Our seventh principle is violet, ’Value our responsibility in the web of life’ (...then a short silence followed by... chime.) (Light candle)

Closing Blessing:Leader: Cindy Wakeland:The Chalice light and the covenant of Seven Principles are symbolic of love that lights our lives. Each day can be a new beginning; a fresh opportunity to embrace diversity and to foster love, fairness and hope.

Again did the earth shift

Again did the days grow short,

Again the nights long.

And the people

Of the earth were glad

And celebrated

Each in their own ways.

We are all part of the interdependent web of life illuminated by a “World of Winter Lights”. Thank you

Extinguishing Chalice light

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Recessional

Postlude by Kent

Order of Service December 16, 2012

Gathering Chime

Welcome and Announcements

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Greeting Your Neighboring

Centering Chime

Anthem-9:30-Children’s Choir, 11:15-Youth Choir

Opening Words

Unison Chalice Lighting

Hymn # 226 People Look East

Silent Lighting of Candles of Joys and Concerns

Offertory Coventry Carol

Holiday Pageant

Advent-Responsive Reading #616 “For So the Children Came” Hymn “O Come , O Come, Emmanual”

Diwali Om Sri Maha Lakshmaye Namah Om

Hanukkah Hymn # 221 “Light One Candle”

Solstice Hymn # 72 verse 1 & 2

St Lucia Through the Snowy Nights (printed in bulletin)

Kwanzaa- Hymn #172 Siph Amandala (Children to say African line congregation to sing english)

UU Princlples Lights

Closing Song Kent to Choose

Benediction

Recessional Kent to choose music

Postlude Kent will choose

WHO IS DOING WHAT IN THE PROGRAM

9:30 11:15

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Advent Teachers Advent Teachers

Diwali K-2 Diwali K-5

Hanukkah 6-7 grade Hanukkah OWL

Solstice YRUU Solstice YRUU

Santa Lucia Pre-School Santa Lucia OWL(w/9:15-?)

Kwanzaa 3-5 grade Kwanzaa YRUU

(w/3-5 gr. 9:15?)

UU Principles YRUU Principles EVERYONE

Advent- Teachers- dress nicely

Diwali- K-2/5 graders- making diyas, Anine has made costumes, Barbara has plans. Need to know names of who is reading.

Hanukkah- 6-7 grade class/Owl second service- Dress nicely, I have Hanukkah tatoos for you to use properly and appropriately. Need to know names of readers and candle lighters.

Solstice- YRUU both servicesWear Black and white if possible. Need to know names of readers and candle lighters.

Santa Lucia-Pre-schoolers, second service OWL and maybe some children from first service. Pre-schoolers only- white robes with red sashes, girls-wreath crowns, boys-miter crowns, boys will carry star sticks, girls will carry battery operated candles. Need to know who will be reading.

Kwanzaa- 3-5 graders/YRUU at second service with maybe some children from first service. 3-5 graders and YRUU(if you want) wear african tunics. Need to know names of readers and candleighters.

UU principles-YRUU/Everyone second service-wear clothes that are you, if you are not already in a costume. YRUU will need to know readers and candlelighters. Cindy will arrange 2nd service.

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