(Michael and Jared are sitting on the edge of their cots
getting ready for bed.)
Narrator: The story takes place Christmas Eve at
a home for orphaned and abandoned children. Jared and Michael who have
been residents of the home for three months have just returned from a
Christmas Eve service at the local mission. The boys’ mother passed
away just a few months ago. Their father left them about six years ago
and has not been seen since. Alone and bitter over the lot they have
been dealt, Jared and Michael find this Christmas extremely difficult
feeling no peace, no hope, and no love.
Michael: What did that man from the mission mean
when he said peace and goodwill toward men?
Jared: (bitterly) Do you believe everything
everyone tells you? Haven’t you been through enough to know there is
no goodwill and we have definitely not seen any peace?!
Josh: (enters from the side) Lights out in 15
minutes! Hey, what’s with the down faces?! Don’t
you know tomorrow is Christmas?
Jared: Big deal! It’s Christmas Eve and here we
are with some candy canes and a couple of flannel shirts. ( Throws down
the gifts.)
Michael: (eagerly) Do you think Santa Claus comes
to the children’s home? That fireplace in the lobby looks rather
small.
Josh: Well, Michael, I have only worked here for
a couple of years, and I have never seen him. However, I do know we have
found some surprises around here on Christmas morning. Listen, do you
guys really think that’s what Christmas is about?
Jared: He’ll believe anything.
Josh: Well, let me tell you about a particular
Christmas over 2000 years ago when the greatest gift ever received came
in the form of a baby.
Jared: Who wants a baby for Christmas?!
Michael: Be quiet Jared! I haven’t heard a good
story since (pause abruptly and lower head) well
since Mom died.
(Josh picks up a Bible from a nearby table. He sits down
close to Michael and puts his arm around him.)
Josh: Have you two ever read the Bible?
Michael: No, I don’t think so, but I know there
were a bunch of them at the mission tonight.
Josh: You’re right. This is God’s word and it
tells us about a very special baby boy named Jesus who
came to this earth to be our King bringing peace and eternal joy.
Jared: (very angry) What does this have to do
with Christmas? I’m sick of hearing about peace! There
is no peace in this world! (Sits
down in a chair and puts on his headset.)
Josh: (Takes a deep sigh and then begins to
read.)
Luke 2: 1-6 "And
it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should
be taxed. And all went to be taxed,
every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city
of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David;) To
be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And
so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that
she should be delivered."
(At the beginning of verse 1 the innkeeper enters. Mary
and Joseph enter at end of Scripture
reading.)
Mary: Joseph there is not much time. I pray we
find a place soon.
Joseph: I know you must be weary. Let’s try one
more place. Maybe this innkeeper can help us.
Sir, do you have any rooms?
Innkeeper: I’m sorry, but all of the rooms are
taken.
Joseph: You must understand that my wife is about
to deliver a child? Surely there is some place where
she may rest.
Innkeeper: My only suggestion is the stable.
There is some soft hay there where you may lie.
(Joseph turns to Mary.)
Joseph: I know you and the Christ child deserve
much better, but I’m afraid this is our only alternative.
Mary: It will be fine. I have faith God will take
care of us.
(Curtain closes. Manger scene brought in.)
(Mary and Joseph are sitting in the stable. The innkeeper enters with
something to wrap the baby in.)
Josh: Well, boys, there’s a lot more to the story. So what do
you say we continue?
Jared: You might as well. There’s nothing else
to do around here.
Josh: (with a deep sigh begins reading again)
Luke 2:8 "And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their
flock by night."
(Shepherds enter as the scripture is read.)
Shepherd 1: There is a strangeness in the air
tonight.
Shepherd 2: I feel it too. It’s as if something
wonderful is about to happen.
(Angels enter. )
Angel 1: Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Angel 2: For unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.
Angel 3: And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying
in a manger.
Angel 4: Follow the yonder star. It will lead you
to where the young child lies.
All Angels: Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace good will toward men.
(Angels exit.)
Shepherd 1: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the
Lord hath made known unto us.
(Shepherds exit.)
Michael: (excited) So that’s where that comes
from--peace and good will--the angel said it! This
is cool!
Jared: Yeah, but what kind of angel talks to a
lowly shepherd. What kind of King would want some
scroungy, homeless shepherds around?
Josh: The same King that came to save you and me.
Jared: Well, if he came to save us why did he let
my dad leave and why did he let my mom die? I
don’t need a King that brings that kind of peace!
Josh: (trying to remain calm) Well, you may be
surprised to find out that Jesus did not exactly live
the life of an earthly king. As a matter of fact, there were people who
sought to have him killed when he was just a baby. Listen.
Read Matthew 2: 1-3
(King Herod enters as the scripture is read. Herod paces
and looks toward the floor.)
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in
the days of Herod the king, behold,
there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that
is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and
are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he
was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."
(Enter the chief priest.)
Herod: So tell me where was this Christ child
born?
Chief Priest: In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it
is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are
not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a
governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Herod: (very angry) I shall rule the people!! I
must investigate this matter further. Call in the wisemen.
(Wisemen enter.)
Herod: Go to Bethlehem. Search diligently for the
young child; and when ye have found him, bring
me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
(Herod exits.)
Wiseman 1: If this baby truly is the son of God
we must bring gifts.
Wiseman 2: Gifts worthy of a King!
Wiseman 3: Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh
is the least we can give.
(Wisemen exit.)
Jared: Wow, I would love to get some gold for
Christmas. I would be rich!
Josh: Yes, that may be true but King Herod had
other plans.
Michael: I knew there was something I didn’t
like about that man.
Josh: King Herod was jealous of the newborn King.
He could not stand the thought of someone having
more power than him. So, he ordered that all children two years and
younger be killed.
Jared: That’s horrible. Was he out of his mind?
Jesus was just a baby!
Josh: Jealousy and anger can cause people to do
terrible things. Many, many babies died as a result. Jesus escaped
because his father Joseph was warned by God in a dream and told to
take his family into Egypt.
Michael: I still don’t see how this Christmas
brought peace. All of those babies would not have died
had Jesus not been born. Besides, that was so long ago. How can He bring
peace to us now?
Josh: Well, Jesus himself also faced death. He
was nailed to a cross where He died
for all of our sins. After three days, He rose from the grave providing
us a way for eternal life in heaven
above.
Michael: The preacher at the mission talked about
heaven. He said Jesus was there. What is heaven
like?
Josh: Well, let’s see what the Bible has to say
about it. (Read Revelations 21:4)
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former
things are passed away."
Michael: You mean I won’t be sad over my mom
and dad anymore?
Jared: And the kids at school won’t make fun of
us anymore because we have to live in the home?
Michael: How do we get there?
Josh: Well, you can’t exactly jump in a car and
go. You have to accept Christ as your personal Savior.
It is what the preacher meant tonight about becoming a Christian.
Michael: Is that hard to do?
Josh: No, as a matter of fact it can be the
easiest thing you ever do. You must accept Him, believe
He died on the cross for your sins, and confess your sins. Boys, why don’t
we pray now?
Jared: No way! I’m not becoming one of those
Christians. They’ll make even more fun of me
at school. I’ve got enough problems as it is!
(Jared climbs into bed with the covers over his head.)
Josh: They made fun of Jesus to the point they
crucified Him. He suffered it all for you -- to save you
from your sins. Has anyone else ever made such a sacrifice for you?
(Josh takes Michael’s hand and they kneel to pray.
Jared slowly rises out of bed and kneels with them.)
Narrator: So just as on that Christmas night over
2000 years ago when Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the angels, and the
wise men all rejoiced over the birth of the King -- the King
who would bring peace to a lost and dying world, Jared and Michael also
found the King of peace in their
hearts and hope in a world which seemed so dim. The hope that seemed
lost and the love which they thought had died was now rekindled. No
longer afraid, no longer alone.
Michael and Jared now had a Father in heaven to call their own --
never to be forsaken again. This Christmas,
find it in your heart to share the love of Jesus. The world is dying for
hope and peace. Will you be one to spread the light and share the
love?
(As narrator speaks, Mary enters carrying Baby Jesus.
All other cast members slowly enter gathering around the Baby. )
Copyright 2000 Kim
Hackworth
Performed by the Youth of Campbell Chapel Freewill
Baptist Church, December, 2000
