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Unfreezing Xmas

by Katy Stenta, feel free to Email me at Katyandtheword at gmail for a doc version

Feel free to Adapt (Really Adapt I know how these things are)/Use with credit to Katy Stenta

Please Support my Writing, I am Funding some of my Doctorate in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian through donations https://gofund.me/554d36e3 Thank you to all those who have donated, I have successfully completed 2 years thanks to your support.

An Easy Narnia Based Pageant

Unfreezing Christmas Pageant

Costume Suggestions: Ears & Hat for Mr. Tumnus, Red & Green for everyone else, Need: a table/picnic setup for scene 1, a Stuffed Lion for “Aslan” to Carry, need a manger and Babydoll for the end

Characters: Mr Tumnus, Lucy, End Narrators, Party Attendees, Two Friends, Mary (non-speaking)

Mr Tumnus: Here in Narnia we are having a hard time. It is always winter; Always winter and never Christmas. I am excited though, because I have invited my new friend Lucy from the Land of Spare Oom over to Tea—and the Queen has Not found out about our friendship. For some reason the Queen hates humans. Oh look here she comes now! (Can be read from a lectern)

(Lucy enters from the back and Mr Tumnus runs to escort her)

Scene 1

Mr. Tumnus and Lucy walk to the front: A bunch of people come and sit frozen)

Lucy: Oh no look, what happened?

Mr. Tumnus: They must have been celebrating without the Queen’s permission and she turned them into stone.

Aslan (Someone holding a Stuffed Lion walks on stage): Roar

Mr Tumnus & Lucy: Aslan Unfreezes Christmas

(Aslan exits)

Lead Partygoer: Aslan Unfroze us! It must be Christmas!

(The Party Starts with pantomimed eating and celebration, Christmas Music Starts) (I’d have the littles lay down til they hear the roar)

Partygoer 1: I love the food

Partygoer 2: I can’t believe its Christmas

Partygoer 3: I can see presents even

Partygoer 4: I saw a lion!

Partygoer 5: No I saw a Lion!

Mr Tumnus: Oh my gifts and packages! That must have been Aslan! Unfreezing their hearts for Christmas!

Lucy: Merry Christmas

PartyGoers: Merry Christmas

Mr. Tumnus: Let’s Go!

Scene 2

(Two People frozen back to back)

Mr Tumnus: Oh dear I do not like the look of this, this does not look of this, we must be following the Queen’s winter.

(Lucy sits next to the two)

Aslan—can be a different person playing Aslan—roars and unfreezing them

Mr Tumnus & Lucy: Aslan Unfreezes Christmas

1st Friend—I’ve been looking for you everywhere

2nd Friend-I’m so glad I’ve found you

(the two people hug)

Scene 3

Girl Holding a Babydoll by a manger Frozen

(Other people can be other characters in a manger scene as is appropriate/easy or not or can come on to sing)

Lucy: I remember this story

Mr. Tumnus: Yes the White Witch really is preventing Christmas now, by freezing this one.

Aslan (again can be the same person or someone different) roars to unfreeze the girl)

Mr Tumnus & Lucy: Aslan Unfreezes Christmas

Girl puts the babydoll into the manger

Everyone comes onstage: to sing (with the congregation if you choose)

Reader to close: Aslan has truly unfrozen Christmas, Look! For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders—and he is named, wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Aslan: Roars One last Time

Silent Night or Away in the Manger

Let’s Write Liturgy

Do you want to learn how to write prayers and liturgy? Psalms and Calls to Worship? Confessions and Personal Prayers? This Zoom Workshop is designed for all levels and experiences for people to engage in prayer writing–using the scripture as your guide.

Sunday November 20th 4pm-6pm (Eastern) $40

Thursday Dec 1st 12pm-2pm

Led by Katy Stenta, Pastor, Writer and Educator

For more information to sign up, email Katyandtheword at gmail.com. Titled “Liturgy”

Katy Stenta is a regular contributor to Sermonsuite, RevGalBlogPals, and is published in Enfleshed, Presbyterian’s Today and Outlook. She received her undergraduate in English and History and Minor on Philosophy at Oberlin, her M. Div. and MA in Christian Formation at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is currently pursuing her D. Min. in Creative Writing as a Public Theologian at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She also writes personal prayers regularly at katyandtheword.com.

Limited to 10 spots

Election Day Prayer

Do not put your trust in Princes
God says
-Vote

Care for the widows and the Least of these-
Lord Hear our Prayer
as I walk towards the booth, wary of those who are in line with me

Care for the Stranger and Immigrant, for you may care for Angels Unawares
echoes in my brain, as I trace the bubbles with smudgy pen

Woman, I hear you, I picture Jesus saying
as I see the name of the candidates who disregard
the healthcare of pregnant people and victims of abuse

Put not your trust in any human power–but my hope is in the Lord
who gives justice to those that suffer wrong
and bread to all those who hungers

God keeps promises better than any human
or politician.

This is why good administration is ministry
This is why voting and crying is ministry
This is why we do our best to care.

This is what I carry to the ballot box
That God will open the eyes that need to be opened
and lift up those who are bowed down
and free those who are bound–

Turn the wicked UpsideDown God.
I’ll help where I can.
And watch you work miracles.
Amen.

Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta

Justice, Mercy & Light Extended Advent

If you need a doc version of these resources-please email and I will get it to you as much as I have completed* (I have medical leave so things may slow a bit)

Advent Readings Calendar: If you have Canva

Advent Readings Calendar: Pdf Link

Expanded Advent Daily Suggested Reading Calendar by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (expanded for full story) with Hymn Suggestions Goettl https://bjhlog.wordpress.com/2022/11/27/daily-readings-for-advent-and-songs-through-january-7/?fbclid=IwAR2xFTVltIRayRlsOSy1QI0Z7E6QG5j9ZzH3r1oA4e8hiwuslBZJUGIlWJY

Unfreezing Christmas: A Narnia Christmas Pageant (Easy)

Unfreezing Christmas: No Rehearsal/Pickup Version Narnia

Advent Candles Liturgy

God of Peace: To Silent Night

God the Weaver to Away in the Manger

Magnify the Lord, To O Come All Ye Faithful

Blue Christmas Worship Including Suggested Comfort Candle (also see: Advent Prayer)

Christmas Ingredients Poem

Justice, Mercy & Light Extended Advent

Advent Unleashed: https://katyandtheword.com/2022/11/28/advent-unleashed/

Advent Prayer

Messy Hope, A Prayer

Nov 13th Micah: Mercy

November 20th Christ the King Sunday/Swords into Plowshares

November 27th Faith

Dec 4th Love and Justice

Dec 11th Justice & Joy: Magnificat Realized

Dec 18th Jesus as Emmanuel

Tender Christmas Prayer

Let’s Write Liturgy Workshop

We have still have room in my first liturgy workshop if you want to join

This will be an instructional, small group (limit 10) and experiential workshop.

Sunday November 20th 4pm-6pm (Eastern) $40

Led by Katy Stenta, Pastor, Writer and Educator

For more information to sign up, email Katyandtheword at gmail.com. Titled “Liturgy”

I plan to hold more in the future–but I am taking the rare opportunity as I come off leave to hold a Sunday Session

Little/Big Things Prayer

Lord God, Almighty in Heaven
When 2 people dying
becomes blip
on the news…

When Anti-Semitism
needs to become
A Roar of despair
for a major
German distributer
to drop a name

When this flood gets
lost with the last one
And the fires
And tornados
weary your soul

I want say
God,
Come get
Your Humans

And I worry about
the next political arguments
I will have
About gender, sexuality
and disabilities–
Because they are not political
but about people

I admit to deep weariness
with this thing
we call
you call
Humanity
God

But then

I find rest and restoration

Children’s laughter

Red Autumn leaves against cloudy skies

unexpected time for naps

the right to complain to you God

the taste of chocolate upon my tongue

cats who snuggle

a text from a friend

It is amazing how the smallest things
Can be the most important–
I fully admit, you designed thing well

We humans would have focused
on only the big things

But a moment to notice the good things
the space to rewatch a favorite show

a hug

a cup of coffee

playing our favorite song on the loudest volume

How did you know that we would need these things?

Thank you God–for all the little things–

Keep sending them please.

Amen.

Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta

Dark Red fall leaves drenched in little droplets of rain — Red leaves drenched in little droplets of rain

Be

Yes
Yes

I am doing the hard work of resting
Sleeping

Trying to let my body heal
Ok God

I’m trying
But I have some words

About resting without the surgery I need
Trying so hard

Not to do
Or think
Just to be

God why is it hard

Just to be
Be Still

And know that
I am God

Easy for You to Say God

Even Jesus
Ran away
To Mountains and Hills
To Lakes and Boats

Even Jesus took naps
And meals with Friends

Even Jesus said: Enough Today is a holiday
and turned everything off

How are you?
everyone is asking

Tired, I answer

What a wealth of meaning
a word can have

I sleep,
and sleep

And try not to do things
And sleep

God, you know its been ten months
Of just living, so when the doctor said how are you doing things?
I said, I just am.

I cannot tell if I am sick

Or I am weary

Come to me
all

All who are heavy
Burdened

Your Promise
Is Rest

But here I am, trying to be

Be still, you whisper, take the time.
So I’m trying, not to try

Why is it so hard?

“Its ok” the Holy Spirit whispers
As I lay down again

Its ok…
I’ll rest in the difficult and restlessness
Amen.

If you enjoy my work please consider giving to my Doctorate in Ministry in Creative Writing https://gofund.me/554d36e3

Let’s Write Liturgy

Sunday November 20th 4pm-6pm (Eastern) $40

Led by Katy Stenta, Pastor, Writer and Educator

For more information to sign up, email Katyandtheword at gmail.com. Titled “Liturgy”

Let's Write Liturgy written in almost cursive by a quill pen melting into the holy spirit dove

Speed Bumps–A Prayer

OK God,

Do I complain about this speed bump now?
The Covid standing in the way of surgery?

I’m taking a deep breath–of gratitude for quadruple vaccinations
And so few symptoms that I did not know

And thankfulness for masks

and frantic prayers that I didn’t infect anyone–and really that I didn’t infect anyone vulnerable.

And for a Day of Work that somehow came together in Coverage
really its a miracle, so easy that I feel guilty about how easy it was
I know you gotta be laughing at that one God
How easily we humans feel guilty, right?
(But I planned to be there and had been excited to see all the people and miss them)

But really, I long for deep healing
The rest and restoration that I could almost taste

The baby-sitting, rides, meals, work, set-ups, coverage, therapy, bracing

I really do not want a drop of it to go to waste, and the idea of setting it all up again is
Daunting
Wearying
Soul-wrenching

So I pray that you have this figured out already
Just like the Church Government meeting I obviously could not go to this week–what with the surgery and/or covid (that I thought I wanted to sign up for)

And so many other things as they go past that I thought, oh I thought I wanted to sign up for that, but I’m glad I didn’t because I realize now that I did not really have the time for that.

Ok God,

What now?

The wait for Monday is a Lot–
And this feels more like a speed bump to healing
It feels like a mountain, or a quest

I lift my eyes to the hills
the annoying, freaking have to climb them hills
From whom will my help come?

Fine it will come from the Lord my God…

But I don’t have to like it today.

Here’s hoping for surgery on the other end.

Amen.

Feel free to use/share/adapt with Credit to Pastor Katy Stenta