Introit: "Hurry on Down to Bethlehem" or "Bethlehemtown" (see note 1)

Call to Worship: Micah 5:2 NRSV

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephratah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days.

*Carol of Invocation: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

*Invocation

*Response

Reader 1:	The first road to Bethlehem started in the small Galilean village of Nazareth. It was a response to the orders of the ruler of the hated Roman conquerors, Caesar.
Reader 2:	And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all his empire should be taxed. . . . And all went to be taxed, every one in his own city (Luke 2:1, 3).
Reader 1:	It was a hard trip for both Mary and Joseph. Mary was soon to give birth and Joseph did not want her to make the journey, but they had no choice. The tax census was taken at the family home, and Joseph was of the house and lineage of David, so he must go to Bethlehem to be counted with the other members of that clan. To make matters worse, the town was crowded, and there was no room for them anywhere. The inn was full—and expensive—and if he had any close relatives still living in the town, they apparently had no room for them in their homes. Finally, in desperation, he found an empty stall in a barn behind the inn. At least it was warm and dry. (As this is being read Mary and Joseph take their place at the manger.)
Reader 2:	And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was none to give room for them in the inns (Luke 2:6, 7)

Solo: "Joseph’s Lullaby" (see note 2) or "Joseph, Kind Joseph"

Reader 1:	The second road to Bethlehem was a trail down from the Judean hills. It was the shepherds who traveled that one.
Reader 2:	And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, an angel of the Lord appeared unto them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. But the angel said unto them,
Angel:	Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the way you shall find the babe, he is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and is lying in a manger.
Reader 2:	And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
Readers 1 and 2:	Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace; goodwill to all (Luke 2:8–14).

Choir: "Glory to God" (see note 3) or "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"

Reader 1:	After the angels had finished singing, the shepherds were full of excitement. Could the angels be talking about the Messiah? Had the time really come that the prophets of the past had foretold? Finally, one of them took the lead.
Shepherd:	Come, brothers, let us go now, even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. (During this reading and the next the shepherds join the family at the manger.)
Reader 2:	And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Carol: "Away in a Manger"

Reader 1:	But even before Mary and Joseph started their journey or the angels appeared to the shepherds, certain wise men had seen a new star in the heavens and, led by this star, they started on a long and dangerous journey that brought them finally to Judea. That was the third road traveled: down a dusty caravan trail starting somewhere far to the east.
Reader 2:	Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is the child that is born, the Messiah of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him (Matthew 3:1–2).
Reader 1:	Herod was alarmed by their questions and called his chief priests and scribes from the temple.
Herod:	What are these Magi talking about? What should I tell them? What "King of the Jews" are they asking about? (emphatically) I’m the King of Jews! (and then questioningly) Do you suppose they mean the Messiah? Can the prophecies be true? (demandingly) Answer me. (almost shouting) Answers! I want answers!
Priest:	Bethlehem! It must be Bethlehem, for thus it is written by the prophet, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea… art not the least among the princes of Judea; for out of thee shall come the Messiah, who shall save my people Israel."
Reader 1:	And Herod called the Magi back to his audience chamber and told them they needed to travel only a little farther, to Bethlehem, to find the one they sought. And then he cunningly added these words.
Herod:	Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found the child, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
Reader 2:	When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:9–11).

(During this reading the wise men take their place at the manger.)

Carol: "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear"

Reader 1:	The first three roads were traveled centuries ago, but the fourth one is ours to travel this very night. Will you come?
Reader 2:	He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:10, 12, adapted).

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Choir: "Little Wayfarin’ Stranger" (see note 4)

Reader 2:	Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me (Revelation 3:20, adapted).
(knocking off-stage)
Malawi:	Odini! Come in and welcome. If Mary and Joseph had come to our village in Malawi, we wouldn’t have turned them away. And they wouldn’t have had to sleep in a stable, either. There would have been room for Mary by the hearth fire, and grannies and aunties to help her with the birth. The men would make room for Joseph and share the supper meal with him, and while they ate Joseph would tell them his story. Tales of angels and dreams and signs in the sky would be greeted with awe and wonder, for we feel as close to the spirit world as we do the physical world. Oh yes, we would have room for Jesus.
(knocking off-stage)
India:	We have room for you, for we believe Jesus is the Christ with all our hearts, and we long to hear his words. People walk for miles to come to our village in India to listen to the story of his birth. And when it comes to the part about the star and the wise men from the east, I find myself asking, "Why the east? Did we have some secret knowledge back then that we are only now rediscovering: that the baby born in Bethlehem, our Lord Jesus, was for all people, black and white, brown and yellow, rich and poor?" We don’t have much in our village. By your standards we are very poor, but we are so rich in other ways. For you see, we have found the Lord Jesus and taken him into our hearts.
(knocking off-stage)
Haiti:	We have room for the Lord Jesus, for he is our only hope. Once again we want to feel the wonder of that first Christmas night, live the miracle of his birth, hear the angels singing glad hosannas. But most of all, we seek his peace and a future for the children. Here in Haiti there is much poverty, few hospitals, and very few opportunities. Most of our children go to sleep each night hungry. Few will get a decent education. But in Jesus we have hope for the future. If enough of us care, if we believe his words and put them into action, then the future can be changed. Yes, we have room for Jesus.
(knocking off-stage)
Reader 1:	Listen people! He stands at the door, waiting. Do you hear him? Will you invite him in?
Reader 2:	And Jesus said . . . thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30–31).

Carol: "What Child Is This"

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The Lighting of the Candles

Reader 1:

All over the world this night people have gathered to celebrate the presence of God in the world. Though we may be of different cultures and live in different countries, tonight we have worshiped as one body, unified in the love of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. May we keep this feeling of unity alive in the year ahead, and may his spirit be with us always.

Carol: "Silent Night! Holy Night!" (accompanied by guitar if possible)

Reader 2:

I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

*Benediction

*Response

*Recessional (as directed by the ushers)

(The congregation is requested to leave the sanctuary quietly, taking the spirit of the season with them.)

Four Roads to Bethlehem Notes

This service has been planned to utilize as many people as possible from the congregation. Smaller congregations may adapt as necessary. The section set off by ***** may be omitted if a shorter service is desired. It may be staged as elaborately or simply as you would like: a nativity in full costume or only implied by the head coverings or other simple means to convey the characters of the nativity and the representatives from other countries. (If you are including the latter, they should take their place at the manger along with the other characters.) Try to use children if at all possible in the building of the nativity. The parts may be spoken by the characters or they may be read by other individuals with the children miming (or just standing as tableau). Stage it so the characters are able to join the congregation for the lighting of the candles at the end of the service.

1. "Hurry on Down to Bethlehem," Nancy Price and Don Besig, Shawnee Press, SATB voicing with parts for both male and female soloists, parts for electric/string bass and drums also available, good beat to start service.
   "Bethlehemtown," Robert C. Clatterbuck, Hope Publishing Co., SATB. This is a more contemplative piece with a slower tempo. It also works well as a solo for soprano or tenor (requires a range for the F above middle C).
2. "Joseph’s Lullaby," Michael Crawford CD, On Eagle’s Wings (Atlantic, 1998).
3. "Glory to God," Nancy Price and Don Besig, Shawnee Press, a cappella SAB or SATB voicing, in the style of a spiritual, quoting the words of the angel choir.
4. "Little Wayfarin’ Stranger," Ruth Elaine Schram, Belwin Mills Publishing Corp. (administered by Warner Bros. Publications), SATB voicing. The accompaniment is not too difficult and might possibly be adapted to guitar.