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THE WEARY WORLD REJOICES

CHRISTMAS

"Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy."

John 16:20

BRIARWOOD

THE WEARY WORLD REJOICES

This theme of this year’s Christmas Performance comes from the classic hymn O Holy Night. The phrase “the weary world rejoices” brings up the beautiful paradox at the heart of the Christmas story, showing how deep weariness and deep wonder can stand side by side, how heaviness can give way to hope, and how silence can turn to song. Christmas does not ignore the world’s uncertainty or longing; it meets them with the joy of Christ’s arrival, a joy not dependent on circumstances. Tonight’s performance blends that tension and that hope, inviting you to glimpse the light that still breaks into darkness and the joy that rises even in the midst of waiting.

O HOLY NIGHT LYRICS

1 O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!

O night divine! O night when Christ was born!

O night divine! O night, O night divine!

2 Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, with glowing hearts by His cradle we stand

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, there came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger; in all our trials born to be our friend He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger

Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

3 Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!

Oholynight,thestarsarebrightlyshining;

“THE STAR”

byKenleySanders

“LITTLE LIGHT, BIG PERSPECTIVE” BY GRAHAM AILSWORTH

Today the world changed, I know it for sure

The night was so quiet, so peaceful, so pure

I felt the wind, something shifted

The world received a present, we were all gifted

I was just a little star, shining ever so bright

But how beautiful it was that Silent Night

The world stopped spinning, then the night went quiet I was up in the sky looking right down by it

A beautiful baby is what I saw

Twinkling up high, I watched in awe

I was just a little star, shining ever so bright

But how beautiful it was that Silent Night

In the distance I heard a beautiful sound

I think they were rejoicing, “The King has come down”

The shepherds came to see bringing their sheep

Who thought a king would be born while everyone was asleep

I was just a little star, shining ever so bright

But how beautiful it was that Silent Night

Up in the sky it was the best sight ever

Knowing this King’s love would never severe

I knew this night was important but I didn’t know how

Until I understood, our Savior was born now

I was just a little star, shining ever so bright

But how beautiful it was that Silent Night

Longlaytheworldinsinanderrorpining, 03

“Be Not Afraid” by Case Morgan

L O N G L A Y T H E W O R L D

“Away in a Manger” by Taylor Forrester

byGretaDickinson

AThrillofHope,thewearyworldrejoices,

T H R I L L O F H O P E

“TheWordBecameFlesh” byHaileeBrock

“ThisLittleLight” byJuliaThompson foryonderbreaksanewandgloriousmorn!

“The Day Will Come” byAllieHale

OhCOME

SkepticandHopeless COME

DesperateunNoticed COME

SeewhattheLordhasDone COME

WoundedMisfits,Oh COME

You’veBeenEquipped,So TRUST

TrustthatTheDayWillCome

Fallonyourknees!O heartheangelvoices!

“I HAVE WITNESSED SOMETHING GREAT” BY EMMA ANN JAHRAUS

Dearest wife,

I have witnessed the most beautiful and significant event of our time. People will speak of it for years and even centuries to come. The Messiah was born in Bethlehem. My fellow shepherds and I were watching over the flocks, and a multitude of angels came down from the heavens and started speaking to us. It informed us about the birth of the Messiah, and we unanimously decided to find this baby.

When we arrived at the site of the King, it was humble and nothing compared to what an earthly king would be housed in. He looked so peaceful and innocent. He caused a few of us to weep at the mere sight of him. I just know he is the Messiah. I could just tell by looking at him and seeing his angelic smile. The angels were right, this babe is something to behold.

My love, I’m not asking you to understand what I mean by anything I’ve said, but I would ask that you trust me. This little babe is the Messiah that we have been reading about for years.

All my love, The Shepherd

“Angel” by Zoey Eighmy

“The Sacrificial Lamb” by Paige Wilson

Onightdivine!OnightwhenChristwasborn!

“THE

NIGHT I CARRIED A KING”

BY SARAH WOLF

“AngeloftheLord” byWhitParsons

Dearchild,

Ihaveservedyourfamilyfaithfullyforyears, andthoughmycoatgrowsgrayandmybones old,onenightispiercedinmymemory.The nightwascold,butthestarswerebright,one muchmorethantheothers.Onmybackyour motherrodethroughthenight,wearyfroma longjourney.Yourfatherwalked,leadingme throughthedarkstreets Worrylinedhisface Wewalkedfromhousetohouse,andeachtime wasthesame.Doorswouldopen,aperson’s headwouldshake,andwewouldmoveonto thenextone.Iknownotwhatwassaid,only thatyourfather’sworrygrewastimepassed.

Finally,itwastimeforyoutocomeintothe world.Wehadtimeonlytofindastable.You wereplacedinamanger,cushionedbyhay meantfortheanimalsoftheplace.Thatnight waslikenoother Menofgreathonorcameinto thathumblestable,justtoseeyouandbring gifts.Shepherdslefttheirsheeptocomeas well,promptedbyangelsoftheMostHigh. Unknowntotherestoftheworld,thesaviorof allmankindlayinthestablethatnight.You.

Thoughmytimehereiscomingtoanend,I believemylifehasbeenspentthebestthatit could,servingyou.

Sincerely, Donkey

Ledbythelightoffaithserenelybeaming,

“LIGHT OF THE WORLD”

“The One Who Lit the Flame” by

Isabella Marino

Sitting there all alone

A candle with a Light that is constantly shone Even in a weary world the Flame still burns Patiently waiting for Him to return

The candle lifts up it’s Flame Honoring His holy name He who eradicates all that is vain

A promise whispers in the air

It is a constant reminder that He is still there His presence turns my Light to gold

For the sake of The One for which we yearn For the sound of the trumpets that will signify His return

“LightoftheWorld”byAnnaDanley

withglowingheartsbyHiscradlewestand.

“A CARPENTER’S CRADLE”

by Molly Rowell

You find me in pieces Broken and battered. I am scattered and sparse Possibly in countless boxes.

I could be wooden, I could be plastic, I could be glass, I could even be a few stray parts.

As long as I am here, My center of attention: A tiny swaddle bathed in joy. He is gazed upon by far and many Lay in a manger Peaceful and tranquil.

“THE GUIDING LIGHT ABOVE” BY SAM MIXON

Wise Men,

Wise men, magi, and astrologers of the east, we have indeed seen the divine light you speak of. Our sheep have seen it with us, not one of them has missed it. Throughout all of our hills, there is truly nowhere guarded from the light And like you, we came to this same divine realization. Indeed, this could only be a thing of glory. A thing more vast and more glorious than anything of this world. Indeed, the differences between us are clear, but nevertheless, this sign of divinity is all encompassing. It is calling us to unify within Bethlehem. Just as you proudly travel there in fine garments, we too travel in our worn rags As you carry your distinguished gifts to the king, we carry our canes, and we lead our flocks with us on this divine path. Rejoice! Rejoice indeed!

Grace and Peace,

Shepherds

“StarofLight” byAlexisCarter

“THE GUIDING LIGHT ABOVE” BY SAM MIXON

“ThreeFaithfulMen”byLandryBoyd

Dear Shepherds,

O shepherds! O shepherds of the vast lands of Bethlehem! We have written to you now for divine reasons Divine reasons regarding the abundant call above. No doubt you have all seen it, and seen it clear. No man throughout the lands would miss it The bright, abundant, guiding star of heaven pours down to us from the darkened night skies.

We humble Magi, simply the three wisest of astrologers in the east, have seen what shines above. Just as you faithfully watch your livestock, we watch the stars above us. We first saw the great light whilst gazing up deeply, and we knew, as you all no doubt also know, the truth it was declaring to us all. Divine! Divine indeed!

“WiseMen”byCaleighBuchina

The bright star of glory filling the night sky is leading us all to something of majesty. In Bethlehem, a king is given. A king has come to us in a time of weariness. therecamethewisemenfromOrientland.

And now, the brightest, abundant, majestic guiding star in the sky is bringing us together from all the land We three travel there now, bearing gifts of pride and beauty to bestow upon this newborn divine king. We ask you, no matter the many differences between us, follow this holy guiding path, same as us now. Follow it! Follow it to this true king and meet us there with Him! Truly, this is more vast than any of us! Rejoice!

Grace and Peace, Wise Men

“ThreeWiseMen”byAbbieWright

“Praise

“

W E A K E S T C R Y A N D S T R O N G E S T W O R D ”

TheKingofkingslaythusinlowlymanger;

Forever to the King of Kings” by Livi Reebals

By Kris Farley

A fragile cry beneath a watching star, The smallest sound splitting the dark, Yet, at its call the mountains move The ocean's waves split far apart.

What kings proclaim with trumpets

With gold, with fear, with praise. Is declared now with a feeble cry The Ancient of our Days.

The Star above, shining bright Watching with patient eyes, Sees he who will Dethrone Kings A child of weakest cry.

“Baby Jesus” by Parker Daniels

inallourtrialsborntobeourfriend.

“BEAUTY IN OUR TEARS”

BY OLIVIA CHANG

Heknowsourneed,toourweaknessisnostranger.

“HE

IS THE LIGHT”

BY CAROLINE HALE

“The Illuminating Child”

By Eli Thompson

Dirty sheep’s eyes sulk in the dark night

Weary shepherds stumble from their bruises

The woman whimpering without a mother’s hand

The man shaking as he is rejected by society

What is this?

Beauty descending

A world so dark, is finally earning Its beautiful light

The dirty spots are cleansed they turn white from the light

Shepherds wounds are healed by the warmth of light

The woman is comforted by the soft hand of the light

The man’s heart calms as his child laughs beams of light

The sheep marvel at this child’s radiance

The shepherds kneel towards the strengthful babe

The woman laughs with tears of bright joy

The man shelters the illuminating child

As the baby cries people gather all around

They cover their eyes they bow and rejoice at the child, His light evaporates all darkness in people’s hearts

Behold, the light of the world the hope for all mankind

“A

Light in Bethlehem”

by Julie Roberts

“PrinceofPeace”byElizabethArcher “PeaceSurpassing”bySophiaStubbs

“THE SUMMONING OF PEACE”

BY MATTHEW HESS

Like a dove brings peace, so does the birth of Christ. The journey is long and burdensome and rough and treacherous.

The birth of Christ brought peace to the land, And rid the world from sin and death.

When Peace was born, Sin was put to death.

The summoning of peace, of love, of life, Came from an uneasy and painful and unpeaceful birth.

Peace may not be the first of words to describe the birth of Christ, But it is the eternal answer.

“PeacetoAll”byAvaWagar

O F P E A C E

P R I N C E

ChainsshallHebreak,fortheslaveisourbrother, 19

“Jesus in the Manger” by

Copeland Holley

“Sleepers in the Dark”

By Abigail Dickinson

The night was silent, only an animal stirring

No hope, only grief and mourning

Wind rustles hay on the stable floor

Silence was ended with a knock on a door

All he had was the stable

For there was no room in the inn

A light shone through the night

Hope flickers within

Awakened dust fills the air

Bring the weary world its king

The virgin begins to prepare

The world curiously awakens everywhere

His infant cry pierces through the night

Awake ye hopeless sleepers

The weary world rejoices

For it has found its Everlasting Light

“A CLOSED DOOR, A HEART OPENED” BY GRACE GARRETT

DearMaryandJoseph,

IpraythishumbleletterfindstheeintheLord’sfavor.ThesepastnightsI havelainawake,mythoughtswanderingasashepherduponthehills,unableto findrest.TheChildyoubroughtforthissurelybutagiftmostholy,bestowedupon usgraciouslybytheAlmighty.ForHeis,astheprophetsdeclared,theWonderful Counselor,theMightyGod,theEverlastingFather,thePrinceofPeace.

HowmarvelousthatOnesoperfectshouldenteraworldsofallen,lestHe camefromtheheightsofHeavenitself,sentforthbytheLordofHosts.Irejoicein Hisblessedname,andIbeseechtheetograntforgivenessuntome,forIknewnot theglorythatdweltamongyou.HadIknown,therewouldhavebeenneither delaynortheslightestmeasureofhesitationingrantingsheltertothee.

MayHebealampuntothyfeet,andalightuntothypath.

InSincerity, AFellowInnkeeper