Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
The December 17, 2023 Christmas pageant at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, co-narrated by Clara Kratzer and RE director Amanda Esko. The pageant retells the story of the birth of Jesus but deviates from traditional formats, instead opting for a more interactive approach and emphasizing themes of kindness, compassion, and inclusivity. Attendees participate in symbolic gestures such as holding hearts, wearing halos, and holding up stars to represent important elements of the story.
Our sincere thanks to the Junior Singers for sharing their joyful music with us today!
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" – music by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by Ross Bagdasarian, aka David Seville (American, 1919-1972) / "Hey, It’s Christmas" by David Owens; arr. by David Owens; presented by the Junior Singers; Nikki Blackburn Fuller and Amanda Esko assisting
03:25 Welcome & Announcements – Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
05:27 Chalice Lighting – Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
07:13 🎵 Pageant Prelude: "Falling Snow" – words and music by Lois Lunt Metz (American, 1906-2004); presented by the Junior Singers
09:17 Christmas Pageant 2023 – narrated by Clara Kratzer & Amanda Esko
12:27 🎵 Hymn: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" – translated by John Mason Neale (English, 1818-1866) from Latin, c. 9th century; melody adapted by Thomas Helmore (English, 1811-1890) from a 15th-century French Franciscan processional; David Owens, piano
13:35 Caesar Augustus – Rev. J Sylvan
16:49 Offertory
17:33 Mary, Joseph, and the Innkeeper
21:46 🎵 "Let There Be Peace on Earth" – words and music by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller; presented the Junior Singers; soloist: Arthur Christensen
24:25 Shepherds and Animals
27:17 🎵 Hymn: "The First Nowell" – words: traditional English carol; music: William Sandys's 'Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern' (1833); David Owens, organ
28:38 The Angels
31:26 🎵 "Angels We Have Heard on High" – traditional French carol; adaptation by Earl Marlatt (American, 1892-1976); Junior Singers and David Owens, piano
34:00 The Star and the Three Wise People
36:01 🎵 Hymn: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" – words by Phillips Brooks (American, 1835-1893); music by Lewis H. Redner (American, 1831-1908); David Owens, piano
36:48 Gifts for Jesus / Conclusion
38:29 🎵 Hymn: "Joy to The World" – words by Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); music attributed to George Frideric Handel (German-British, 1685-1759); arr. by Lowell Mason (American, 1792-1872); David Owens, organ
40:09 Closing Words – Amanda Esko
40:33 End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Rev. Monica Dobbins, Assistant Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 We are supported by the financial contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbLd7M0ecRhGSb-sGKVvv9D
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZaDixptY5SMOi_gdwmaSRkv
The December 17, 2023 Christmas pageant at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, co-narrated by Clara Kratzer and RE director Amanda Esko. The pageant retells the story of the birth of Jesus but deviates from traditional formats, instead opting for a more interactive approach and emphasizing themes of kindness, compassion, and inclusivity. Attendees participate in symbolic gestures such as holding hearts, wearing halos, and holding up stars to represent important elements of the story.
Our sincere thanks to the Junior Singers for sharing their joyful music with us today!
ORDER OF SERVICE
00:00 🎵 Introduction: "We Will Go Out In The World" – music by David Owens
00:58 🎵 Prelude: "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" by Ross Bagdasarian, aka David Seville (American, 1919-1972) / "Hey, It’s Christmas" by David Owens; arr. by David Owens; presented by the Junior Singers; Nikki Blackburn Fuller and Amanda Esko assisting
03:25 Welcome & Announcements – Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
05:27 Chalice Lighting – Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
07:13 🎵 Pageant Prelude: "Falling Snow" – words and music by Lois Lunt Metz (American, 1906-2004); presented by the Junior Singers
09:17 Christmas Pageant 2023 – narrated by Clara Kratzer & Amanda Esko
12:27 🎵 Hymn: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" – translated by John Mason Neale (English, 1818-1866) from Latin, c. 9th century; melody adapted by Thomas Helmore (English, 1811-1890) from a 15th-century French Franciscan processional; David Owens, piano
13:35 Caesar Augustus – Rev. J Sylvan
16:49 Offertory
17:33 Mary, Joseph, and the Innkeeper
21:46 🎵 "Let There Be Peace on Earth" – words and music by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller; presented the Junior Singers; soloist: Arthur Christensen
24:25 Shepherds and Animals
27:17 🎵 Hymn: "The First Nowell" – words: traditional English carol; music: William Sandys's 'Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern' (1833); David Owens, organ
28:38 The Angels
31:26 🎵 "Angels We Have Heard on High" – traditional French carol; adaptation by Earl Marlatt (American, 1892-1976); Junior Singers and David Owens, piano
34:00 The Star and the Three Wise People
36:01 🎵 Hymn: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" – words by Phillips Brooks (American, 1835-1893); music by Lewis H. Redner (American, 1831-1908); David Owens, piano
36:48 Gifts for Jesus / Conclusion
38:29 🎵 Hymn: "Joy to The World" – words by Isaac Watts (English, 1674-1748); music attributed to George Frideric Handel (German-British, 1685-1759); arr. by Lowell Mason (American, 1792-1872); David Owens, organ
40:09 Closing Words – Amanda Esko
40:33 End Credits
Rev. J Sylvan, Senior Minister
Rev. Monica Dobbins, Assistant Minister
Amanda Esko, Director of Religious Education
David Owens, Director of Music
Stefanie Park, Administrator
Tristan Moore, Audiovisual Director
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ Instagram: instagram.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 We are supported by the financial contributions of our members and friends.
→ Donate: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZbLd7M0ecRhGSb-sGKVvv9D
→ youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZaDixptY5SMOi_gdwmaSRkv
