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Led By The Star
Suitable for years 4 - 6
Led by the Star’ tells the Christmas story in a faithful and accurate way, from the visitation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, through to her family’s flight to Egypt, in order to escape the wrath of Herod. Yet it is more than another recount of the historic event. Woven into this timeless Bible tale is the character of a child for whom Christmas has lost it’s meaning. God’s love and concern for her is expressed by His sending of ‘the Zeddies’, His guardian angels, sent to help in her time of need.
Sophie will not accept her new step-dad. She says that she hates her mum and wants her real dad back. It’s Christmas Eve and Sophie just doesn’t believe any more. But what doesn’t she believe in, could it be Father Christmas? Who doesn’t she believe in, could it be God? Tradition says that Christmas is a time for families, peace on earth and all of that. As Sophie sleeps, the Zeddies prepare to meet her for the first time.
The first song, Led by the Star, is an upbeat song sung by the Zeddies. It tells Sophie of the reason for God the Father, sending His son to earth – it was an expression of his love for her.
Sophie asks the Zeddies what are they doing here? They explain that they are in her dreams. They take her to see Mary just as Gabriel is telling the news that she is going to be the mother of Jesus. The Zeddies explain to Sophie that it will be difficult for Joseph to bring up someone else’s son. Sophie tries to reassure Mary that it will be all right, but she can’t – ‘We are not here, we cannot interfere’.
In the second song, All That is Within Me, Mary sings of her thanks to God for sending His son to earth and for choosing her to be his mother.
Joseph is visited by Gabriel who tries to dispel any doubts that he might have about his ability to bring up the Son of God. Sophie can’t understand how Joseph can possibly bring up someone else’s child. Joseph himself asks if he will be able to love Jesus as if he were his own child but the Zeddies reassure Sophie that he will succeed.
The third song, Can You Love Him Joseph? is sung by Sophie. She questions Joseph’s ability and commitment in bringing up another man’s child. It reflects her own situation. The song ends with a plea from Joseph to God for help.
The three Wise Men arrive at Herod’s palace asking the whereabouts of the King of the Jews. Herod is very angry and he calls a meeting with all of the leading priests and teachers of the law to discuss the situation. Sophie realises that Herod is a wicked bully, and becomes angry when she realises that she can’t change the course of history.
The fourth song is the classic carol, We Three Kings given a new, up-tempo arrangement.
The three Wise Men leave Herod’s palace after being told to let him know where the baby is. At the same time in a very amusing scene, Gabriel visits some shepherds to tell them the good news and they set off to find the baby Jesus – taking gifts with them.
The fifth song is another classic – While Shepherds Watched. Again, it is given a new, modern arrangement.
Sophie watches as first the shepherds followed by the Wise Men arrive at the stable. At first Joseph is not very welcoming. He and Mary are tired and overwhelmed by the whole situation. He soon realises that it is as it should be. Sophie begins to understand the significance of Jesus’ birth.
The sixth song, No Words Can Say, is a hauntingly beautiful song that Sophie sings in order to express her wonder and awe at what she has just witnessed. She knows that Jesus was the greatest gift of all time – a gift from God to the world.
The Wise Men do not return to tell Herod where Jesus was and he becomes very angry, venting his anger on all those around him. He decides to take drastic action to ensure that the baby is destroyed much to the shock and dismay of everyone in the palace.
The seventh song, Those Little Boys, shows how bitter and twisted Herod really is and how he craves affection and loyalty from those around him. It expresses his anger at the thought of being deposed and the unbelievable lengths that he is prepared to go to, to prevent it happening.
Sophie is appalled by Herod’s actions and has to be reassured by the Zeddies that God has it all under control. Gabriel visits Joseph and tells him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Joseph is beginning to wonder just what he has taken on – after all Jesus is not even his real son! Mary is confused. She doesn’t understand why anyone would want to harm her baby. Joseph tries to reassure her, telling her that they both know that Jesus is no ordinary baby. They have no choice but to leave.
The eighth song, Hush Now Mary, is a very poignant song that explains to Mary her role as Jesus’ mother and the sad but inevitable conclusion.
The story ends with Sophie waking up on Christmas morning and she realises for the first time, that Jesus had a step-dad too……….
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