Writing a Christmas Program script (for Sacrament Meeting) from scratch is probably more than anybody ever wants to do. Fortunately, you can get inspiration from many sources. Depending on what you want to do or what you are directed to do, here are a few suggestion to get started.
1. Find a good talk - Often a General Authority or somebody else will write a great article for the Liahona or they will post a great talk they have given. From there, you can simply divide it into sections and insert Christmas songs and hymns. (Examples: "The Search for Jesus" by Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Ensign Dec. 1990 or "Jesus, The Bread of Life" by Sherrie Johnson Ensign Dec. 1998.)
2. Use the scriptural accounts from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Find a few good quotes from the prophets. Add musical numbers and hymns sung with the congregation and you are all set. This program may be anchored by the choir singing most of the numbers or have a Hymn-Sing sung by the congregation. (Example: "The Wondrous Story of Jesus" Hymn-Sing script)
3. Start with the musical numbers that you really want to use. Then hunt for scriptures and quotes from prophets and apostles that string the songs together. Perhaps include a talk given on a specific topic from a trusted speaker. Then end with a great hymn arrangement sung by both the choir and congregation. (Examples: "The Gifts of Christmas" or "Mission Christmas Devotional")
2. Use the scriptural accounts from the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Find a few good quotes from the prophets. Add musical numbers and hymns sung with the congregation and you are all set. This program may be anchored by the choir singing most of the numbers or have a Hymn-Sing sung by the congregation. (Example: "The Wondrous Story of Jesus" Hymn-Sing script)
3. Start with the musical numbers that you really want to use. Then hunt for scriptures and quotes from prophets and apostles that string the songs together. Perhaps include a talk given on a specific topic from a trusted speaker. Then end with a great hymn arrangement sung by both the choir and congregation. (Examples: "The Gifts of Christmas" or "Mission Christmas Devotional")
4. Don't forget to add a great TITLE. Sometimes that may come from the title of a song or a talk or a line from scripture. (Example: "Oh Come, O Come Immanuel" )
5. TIME EVERYTHING!!!!! You may have less than 30 minutes, possibly more. Be aware of time that could be used up by movement of singers and instruments. Then again, your program may be the only meeting that day. Just be sure to PREPARE!!!
Over the years, I have had many opportunities to plan the Ward Christmas Sacrament Meeting programs. The above examples are just a few suggestions of how to plan a program. We used to have much more time to fill, so these examples of programs are pretty lengthy. But they should be enough to get you started. So as you pray for guidance, remember also these tried and true strategies.
Many times, I found myself awakened in the night with inspiration for new songs for my choirs. So, of course, they needed to be used in the Christmas programs. A few that came about this way are "King of Kings," "On a Sacred, Still and Silent Night," "O Tidings of Comfort and Joy," "The Bread of Life," and "Lord of All."
Enjoy this solo version of "Lord of All" sung by my granddaughter Megan Rock.
5. TIME EVERYTHING!!!!! You may have less than 30 minutes, possibly more. Be aware of time that could be used up by movement of singers and instruments. Then again, your program may be the only meeting that day. Just be sure to PREPARE!!!
Over the years, I have had many opportunities to plan the Ward Christmas Sacrament Meeting programs. The above examples are just a few suggestions of how to plan a program. We used to have much more time to fill, so these examples of programs are pretty lengthy. But they should be enough to get you started. So as you pray for guidance, remember also these tried and true strategies.
Many times, I found myself awakened in the night with inspiration for new songs for my choirs. So, of course, they needed to be used in the Christmas programs. A few that came about this way are "King of Kings," "On a Sacred, Still and Silent Night," "O Tidings of Comfort and Joy," "The Bread of Life," and "Lord of All."
Enjoy this solo version of "Lord of All" sung by my granddaughter Megan Rock.
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