Adapted by Rev. Katherine Rohloff, 2016, from Dennis Dewey, 1995
Reader One: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Reader Two: Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
One: And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Two: But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted. He released Barabbas, the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, who they asked for, but Jesus he delivered up to their will.
One: The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
Two: And when they came to the place which is called the skull, there they crucified him and two criminals—one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
One: He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Two: And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by watching.
One: Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
Two: But the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his chosen One!"
One: The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
Two: While the sun's light failed, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!"
One: …Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
Two: Then Joseph of Arimathea took down the body of Jesus and wrapped it in a linen shroud....
One: Then the angel departed from her.
Two:... and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb.
[Pause, as the tellers switch stories.]
Two: … And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
One: The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid, and returned and prepared spices and ointments.
Two: “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
One: And on the first day of the week at early dawn they went to the tomb.
Two: “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”
One: And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body.
Two: “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.”
One: While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how they told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise."
Two: “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”
One: And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to the rest.
Two: “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
One: But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
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