The Friend at Midnight

Scripture Reference: Luke 11:5-13

The lesson about the persistence in prayer.

Cast:
FRIEND – a persistent friend with no sense of time
NEIGHBOR – the neighbor who is just trying to get some shut eye

Props:
Pots, pans, and/or anything else to make lots of noise.
Frozen pizza box

FRIEND: HEY! ARE YOU AWAKE?!


NEIGHBOR: (crashing sounds) What?!?


FRIEND: I SAID, “ARE YOU AWAKE?”


NEIGHBOR: Well, I am now. What time is it?


FRIEND: MIDNIGHT.


NEIGHBOR: Please keep it down. Everyone is asleep.


FRIEND: (stage whisper) Sorry.


NEIGHBOR: What on earth to you want?


FRIEND: I just picked my friend up at the airport, and all they fed him on the plane was a little bag of pretzels. He's starving, and all I have in my fridge is a bottle of flat Coke and half a loaf of moldy bread.


NEIGHBOR: Why are you telling me all of this?


FRIEND: Well, I was wondering if you might have a frozen pizza you could spare?


NEIGHBOR: A FROZEN PIZZA! Shhhh! What do I look like? A fast food place?


FRIEND: Well, no, but he’s really hungry.


NEIGHBOR: Look, it’s the middle of the night, the house is locked up, and the kids are finally asleep – which is no easy task. I am not going to go traipsing through the house TO GET YOU A PIZZA! Shhhh! Come back in the morning.


FRIEND: But he’s hungry now. C’mon, be a pal. All I’m asking for is one lousy little pizza. I’d even take one with pineapple on it – but no anchovies. Hairy fish on pizza is gross. Yuck! C’mon, buddy.


NEIGHBOR: I am not your pal. I am not your buddy. I am not your friend! I CAN’T EVEN HEAR YOU! (Putting fingers in ears) LA-LA-LA-LA. Shhhh!


FRIEND: Just walk down to the kitchen, pull a pizza out of the freezer, and toss it out the window, then you can go back to bed. No biggie.


NEIGHBOR: Have you no shame? You just won’t give up. Will you? Fine, let me get your pizza. (Disappear from the window. Start crashing and shushing. Without coming back to the window, toss the pizza box out of the window. Then start crashing and shushing again.)


FRIEND: THANKS! Oops! Shhhh! (stage whisper) Thanks. (Looking at box) Anchovies?! Some people just don’t think about other people’s feelings.

The Good Samaritan

Scripture Reference: Luke 10:30-37


 The story of the Good Samaritan updated for children.


Cast:
VICTIM – ordinary boy (or girl) who has been set upon by bullies


Costume:
Modern dress. Clothes are torn and bloodied to show signs of a struggle. Should also be bandaged.


(The VICTIM stumbles into room bandaged and moaning. This can be done while a teacher or other person is talking, interrupting the class.)


VICTIM: Oh, it hurts so much. I was on my way here this morning, when I was jumped by these big kids. These bullies stole my offering and beat the tar out of me. (waving off assistance) I’ll be fine. It only hurts when I laugh. Ha ha – oh! (miming hits and kicks) They hit me and kicked me and spit on me and called me names. I thought I was going to die. Then they just left me there by the road.


I don’t know how long I had been lying there when I saw Biff. Biff is the minister's son. He's always busy doing something around church. I called out to him to help me. He said he was really busy, and maybe he could help me on his way back. But there may not be any me by the time he gets back!


A few minutes later I saw Holly. She's in the choir and has the most beautiful singing voice. I was in the Christmas play with her last year. She's so nice. She once said 'hi' to me. I just knew she would help me. I called out to her, but she got this look of disgust on her face. I know I was all bloody and bruised – but how rude! When I asked her for help, she looked at me like I'd asked her to eat kitty litter. She said something about her new dress and her nails, then she just crossed over to the other side of the street.


What was I going to do? I was feeling weak. I think I even saw part of my life flash before my eyes, and I didn’t like the ending. I kept thinking, “Don’t go into the light.”


I lay there for what felt like hours when I saw Lewis. Not Lewis! He is the biggest nerd in the school. No one likes Lewis. He is SO strange! He goes to some weirdo church. He always wears dress pants, and they don’t even come down to his ankles. And he carries this Star Wars lunch box (rolls eyes). Everyone is always so mean to him. I’ve never said anything mean to him – in fact, I usually try to avoid eye contact with him – but I have laughed when others have made fun of him. I didn’t even bother to call out to him. Everyone is always so mean to him, why would he be nice to anyone else. When he saw me, he ran right over – man, he even runs like a dork – and got down on one knee and asked how I was. Boy, do I feel bad now. I told him what happened. He opened his Star Wars lunch box and gave me a drink from his R2D2 Thermos. He used the water from the Thermos and his handkerchief to clean my wounds. He had some Band-Aids in his lunch box and put them on me. He said he had to be somewhere but that the school nurse lived right around the corner. He took me there, so she could finish bandaging me up and make sure I was okay. He said he would be back later to check on me.


He was so nice to me. Why?!? I’ve never been nice to him. I’ve never even spoken to him. He has every reason in the world to be mad at everyone in school and could have – and maybe should have – just left me there like Biff and Holly did, but he didn’t.


Anyway, I think I want to catch up to Lewis. I think I can learn a lot from Lewis about what it means to be a good neighbor.

Trinity Trip Up

Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3:21-22


A lesson on the Trinity.

Cast:
GRANNY GRACE – a sweet old storyteller who doesn't always get the facts straight
MR. MIKE – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
none

(MR. MIKE starts on stage.)

GRANNY: Good morning, dears.

MR. MIKE: Good morning, Granny.

GRANNY: What are you folks doing this morning?

MR. MIKE: Well, I was just about to tell the kids what we're going to be studying today.

GRANNY: It would mean the world to me if you'd let me do that – if it's no imposition.

MR. MIKE: If it means that much to you, please go ahead.

GRANNY: Thank you, dearie. (turns to kids, stares for a moment with mouth open as if about to speak, then turns to MR. MIKE) What are we studying today?

MR. MIKE: If you don't know, why'd you ask to tell them?

GRANNY: Because it is such a delight imparting knowledge to these bright young minds.

MR. MIKE: I understand.

GRANNY: Or at least most of them.

MR. MIKE: Granny!

GRANNY: I'm just saying…

MR. MIKE: Well, we are going to be studying the Trinity today.

GRANNY: Boys and girls. Boys and girls. Please pay attention. I have something very important to tell you. Today we will be studying the Trinity.

MR. MIKE: Very nice.

GRANNY: The Trinity is a 710-mile long river located in northeast Texas.

MR. MIKE: Wait…

GRANNY: It was discovered by the French explorer La Salle in 1687 and named "the Most Holy Trinity" in 1690 by Alonso De León.

MR. MIKE: That's not the right…

GRANNY: The Trinity has five branches: the West Fork, the Clear Fork, the North Wedge, the Elm Fork, and the East Fork.

MR. MIKE: I didn't mean the river…

GRANNY: It had become so polluted by the 70's that it was the subject of many jokes, including a song by the Folkel Minority.

MR. MIKE: Granny!

GRANNY: ♫♪ Roll mighty river/Roll on Trinity/Through the Texas blacklands/It oozes toward the sea./Roll on Muddy Buddy/Captain, ring your bell/We'll be to the Gulf by tomorrow night/If we can stand the smell. ♪♫

MR. MIKE: Granny!!

GRANNY: (unphased) Yes, dear?

MR. MIKE: We're not studying the Trinity River. We are studying the doctrine of the Trinity.

GRANNY: Well, that's completely different. The Trinity River is quite important but not compared studying the nature of God.

MR. MIKE: I can't argue with that.

GRANNY: Well, then I guess my work here is done.

MR. MIKE: Thank you for visiting with us today, Granny.

GRANNY: My pleasure. And remember, children: Don't cut your own bangs and read your Bible every day. Bye, dears. (exits):

The Harvest Is Plentiful And the Workers Are Exhausted

Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:1-22, Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 10:2

A lesson about The Great Commission.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR. MIKE – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
None

(DILLY enters exhausted.)

MR. MIKE: Hey, Dilly. How are you doing?

DILLY: I’m so tired I’m left-handed.

MR. MIKE: Why are you so tired?

DILLY: I was reading in the Bible that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

MR. MIKE: That’s great that you’re still reading the Bible, but how did that make you so tired?

DILLY: Rein back your horse; you’re getting ahead of me.

MR. MIKE: Sorry. Go on.

DILLY: I’ve learned the hard way to be more obedient to what I read in the Bible, so I went to a farm and started harvesting crops.

MR. MIKE: Oh.

DILLY: (indignant) “Oh” what?

MR. MIKE: I’m glad you’re taking the Bible seriously, but that’s not what that means.

DILLY: Well, don’t that just take the cake. Then what in the wide, wide world of sports does it mean?

MR. MIKE: It means that there are lots of people in the world who need to hear the Good News, but not enough people to tell it.

DILLY: Well, flip me over and call me done. That’s a whole lot easier. (talking to the kids) Hey you! God loves you. Hey you! Jesus died for your sins. Hey you! Accept Jesus or you’re going to H-E-double hockey sticks. Hey next kid! ...

MR. MIKE: Dilly!

DILLY: Hush! I’m busy spreading the Good News. (turning back to the kids) Hey you! Jesus loves you this I know. (continue until all of the kids have been spoken to)
There. That wasn’t so hard.

MR. MIKE: Dilly, there’s a lot more to it than that.

DILLY: Do tell.

MR. MIKE: Jesus said to go and make disciples of all nations and baptize them.

DILLY: Well, that’s easier than falling off a greased log. We can go down to the bathroom and baptize the whole lot of them right now.

MR. MIKE: We’re not baptizing these fine young ladies and fellows in the bathroom.

DILLY: Suit yourself, but if we did, we’d be done with it all.

MR. MIKE: That’s what I’m trying to say. We wouldn’t be done with it. Being saved is eternally important, but that’s not the end. Jesus said to make them disciples.

DILLY: I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Mr. Mike, but the disciples are all dead.

MR. MIKE: The original ones are, but we are supposed to be disciples, too.

DILLY: Pull the other one.

MR. MIKE: Truthfully. Christians are supposed to be disciples, or students, learning to serve God and be pleasing to Him.

DILLY: Well, don’t that just pop out your monocle. All those people I told about Jesus left high and dry. I must go find them and make them disciples. (running back and forth) I gotta go to my neighbors. I gotta go to the feed store. I gotta go to my neighbors. I gotta go… (exits quickly)

MR. MIKE: (stares at stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)

Happily Ever After

Scripture Reference: Luke 24:13-35

A lesson about the nature of Jesus.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR. MATT– the teacher who sets her straight

Props: None

(MR. MATT is on stage.)

DILLY: Hi, Mr. Matt. How y'all doin'?

MR. MATT: Hi, dilly. I'm doing well. How are you?

DILLY: I'm finer than frog hair.

MR. MATT: I understand you were reading the Bible for Easter. How's it going?

DILLY: Oh, I had to stop before they killed Jesus.

MR. MATT: Why?

DILLY: 'Cause that's sadder than a dog without a nose.

MR. MATT: But you can't stop reading there.

DILLY: I most assuredly can. I don't do tragedy. I do the same thing in movies.

MR. MATT: What do you mean?

DILLY: When it looks like a movie is going to be a tragedy, I stop watching and make up my own ending.

MR. MATT: Like what?

DILLY: In my version of Old Yeller, the dog has a full recovery, he lives to a ripe old age, and they all live happily ever after.

MR. MATT: Dilly...

DILLY: And in my version of Titanic, the ship misses the ice berg, they make it to New York City, and they all live happily ever after.

MR. MATT: But that's not what happened.

DILLY: And in my version of Chicken Run, ...

MR. MATT: Wait. Chicken Run wasn't a tragedy.

DILLY: I know, but in my version Rocky Rhodes doesn't marry Ginger.

MR. MATT: Why not?

DILLY: Because he marries me, and we live happily ever after. That Rocky is handsomer than a timber wolf in a sport coat.

MR. MATT: I'm not even sure what that means, but you should watch the whole movie.

DILLY: I told you, I don't do tragedy. That's why I had to stop reading the Easter story in the Bible.

MR. MATT: That's what I was trying to tell you. That story is not a tragedy.

DILLY: I don't know how you define tragedy, Mr. Matt, but havin' the snot beat out of you and being murdered on a cross certainly sounds like a tragedy to me.

MR. MATT: I agree that those are horrible things, but that's not the end of the story.

DILLY: He was deader than a doornail. How can that not be the end of the story?

MR. MATT: Because he rose from the tomb three days later.

DILLY: Do go on.

MR. MATT: It's true. Most of Jesus' followers didn't believe it either, but he rose just as he said he would and just as it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

DILLY: Well, don't that just pepper my gumbo. Not finishing the story was a foolish has yankin' a dog's ear. (excited) I must go directly and finish the story. (exits quickly)

MR. MATT: (stares at stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)

Denial Denial

Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:57-75, Mark 14:53-72, Luke 22:47-62, John 18:12-27

A lesson about denying Jesus.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR. MIKE – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
None

(MR. MIKE is on stage.)

DILLY: Hi. Mr. Mike. How y'all doin'?

MR. MIKE: If I were doing any better, I couldn't stand it. How are you, Dilly?

DILLY: Why, I'm finer than frog hair.

MR. MIKE: What have you been up to?

DILLY: Well, Easter is coming, so I have been reading my Bible.

MR. MIKE: That's always a good idea. I'm proud of you.

DILLY: Aren't you sweeter than a jelly doughnut. Anyway, I was reading about Peter. He said he'd stick with Jesus, then he denied him three times. Fail!

MR. MIKE: That's not very nice.

DILLY: He failed like Elijah in the quiet game.

MR. MIKE: Dilly!

DILLY: Well he did.

MR. MIKE: He was scared. Imagine if Flora was arrested, and you thought you might be next. Don't you think you'd be scared?

DILLY: I'd be as scared as a turkey in November.

MR. MIKE: So you might deny knowing her.

DILLY: Possibly, but Flora isn't Jesus. Peter should have had more faith. I might deny Flora, but I'd never deny Jesus.

MR. MIKE: That's easier said than done.

DILLY: Whatever do you mean?

MR. MIKE: I remember you telling me about the last time you went to the feedstore. You said the clerk was telling you about a problem she was having.

DILLY: I remember. Bless her heart.

MR. MIKE: Did you offer to pray for her?

DILLY: Why no. I'd be embarrassed.

MR. MIKE: The fellow who took your bags out for you. You said you know he doesn't go to church any more. Did you invite him to church?

DILLY: Why no. That's not my place.

MR. MIKE: You mentioned that you don't think your neighbors are Christian. Did you tell them about Jesus?

DILLY: Why no. What would they think of me?

MR. MIKE: You just denied Jesus three times.

DILLY: (clucking) But... But... But...

MR. MIKE: When you don't stand up for Jesus; when you hide your relationship with Jesus, then you've denied Jesus, too.

DILLY: Well, knock me down and steal my teeth. I cannot fathom that I am as bad as Peter. Oh, my! All those people! I must go directly and make amends. (running back and forth) I gotta go to my neighbors. No, I gotta go to the feedstore. No, I gotta go to my neighbors. No, I just gotta go. (exits quickly)

MR. MIKE: (stares at stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)

The Return of the Devil’s Vegetable

Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:47-54, John 18:2-12

A lesson about doing the Father’s will.

Cast:
D.B. – a good albeit not very bright bunny
MR. MATT – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
None

(MR. MATT begins on stage when D.B enters slowly, moaning and groaning.)

MR. MATT: What’s the matter, D.B.?

D.B.: I am sore, Mr. Matt.

MR. MATT: I’m sorry to hear that.

D.B.: My back is sore.

MR. MATT: I’m sorry.

D.B.: My arms are sore.

MR. MATT: Uh huh.

D.B.: My hands are sore.

MR. MATT: OK.

D.B.: My fingers are sore.

MR. MATT: OK.

D.B.: My knees are sore.

MR. MATT: D.B.

D.B.: My legs are sore.

MR. MATT: D.B.!

D.B.: Even my fuzzy little tail is sore.

MR. MATT: We get it, D.B. You’re sore. Why?

D.B.: I have been planting Brussels sprouts.

MR. MATT: You must really love Brussels sprouts.

D.B.: Oh, I hate them.

MR. MATT: Really?

D.B.: They are vile and nasty.

MR. MATT: I see.

D.B.: They are insidious spheres of detestation.

MR. MATT: Wow!

D.B.: (in a sinister whisper) They are the devil’s vegetable.

MR. MATT: That’s odd. Ozzie said the same thing.

D.B.: We have the same writer.

MR. MATT: OK, so you hate Brussels sprouts. I guess you like working in the dirt.

D.B.: Oh, no. Dirt is so… dirty.

MR. MATT: You did it for the exercise?

D.B.: Nope.

MR. MATT: To get a tan?

D.B.: I am a bunny, silly. I do not get a tan.

MR. MATT: Then why?

D.B.: Because my mommy asked me to do it.

MR. MATT: That’s it?

D.B.: That is it. I love my mommy, so I want to do what she asks me to do.

MR. MATT: Even if you don’t want to do it?

D.B.: Even if I do not want to do it.

MR. MATT: Even cleaning your room?

D.B.: There is no reason to get crazy.

MR. MATT: That is very mature of you. You look exhausted. Why don’t you to and rest.

D.B.: Thank you, Mr. Matt.

MR. MATT: You’re r welcome, D.B.

D.B.: Bye, Mr. Matt.

MR. MATT: Bye, D.B.

Rainbows & Unicorns

Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:1-16, Mark 14:1-11, Luke 7:36-50, 22:1-6, John 12:1-11

A lesson about forgiveness.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
None

(MISS REBECCA is on stage.)

DILLY: How y'all doin', Miss Rebecca?

MISS REBECCA: Very well. How are you, Dilly? Finer than frog hair?

DILLY: Not today. Right now, I'm madder than a box of frogs.

MISS REBECCA: Why's that?

DILLY: He just thinks he's all that and then some.

MISS REBECCA: Who?

DILLY: That little bantam rooster. I do believe he thinks he burps rainbows and unicorns.

MISS REBECCA: That does sound like someone who thinks highly of himself. What did he do?

DILLY: We was having a meeting of our Holy Poultry group when that sawed-off little roaster said I should be more grateful for my salvation.

MISS REBECCA: We should all be grateful for our salvation.

DILLY: Well, I am, I suppose. But if anyone should be grateful, it's that bantam. I recall what he was like before he was saved, and I just have one word – (sing-songy) LOSER!

MISS REBECCA: Dilly, that's a terrible thing to say.

DILLY: I still love him as my Christian brother, but he was a capital-L loser, bless his heart.

MISS REBECCA: Dilly! We need to all be thankful, because God has forgiven all of us so much.

DILLY: (under her breath) Some more than others.

MISS REBECCA: Our sin puts all of us farther away from God than any of us can reach on our own. It really doesn't matter if some people are a few more inches farther away.

DILLY: Or feet.

MISS REBECCA: Or feet.

DILLY: Or miles.

MISS REBECCA: Or miles.

DILLY: Or light years.

MISS REBECCA: Dilly, it doesn't matter. We are all sinful and the only way any of us can reach God is through Jesus Christ.

DILLY: But some people are very, very far away.

MISS REBECCA: But the good news is that nobody is too far for Jesus to reach. And nobody is so close that they don't need Jesus, too.

DILLY: Well, slap me silly and call me darlin'. I see what you mean. I should be as grateful as that pip-squeak of a rooster, because Jesus saved both of us.

MISS REBECCA: Exactly!

DILLY: Oh my! I am much obliged, Miss Rebecca. I reckon I should go to that little bantam rooster directly and tell him I have done him a great disservice. I cannot believe I flew off the handle like that with that dear young boy. I need to go at once and make amends. (exits quickly)

MISS REBECCA: (stares at stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Scripture Reference: Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4, 2 Chronicles 21:18-26

A lesson about giving.

Cast:
D.B. – a good albeit not very bright bunny
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
None

(MISS REBECCA is on stage.)

D.B.: (enters singing) Once I had a railroad, made it run, made it run against time. Once I had a railroad, now it is gone. Brother, can you spare a time?

MISS REBECCA: Well, that was... What I mean to say is that your singing is... (pause) so why the song,

D.B.? D.B.: I had a spare dime I put in the collection plate, Miss Rebecca, and it made me think of that song.

MISS REBECCA: That was very nice of you, sweetie.

D.B.: Aw shucks! It was just a dime I had leftover from my allowance. You cannot buy anything with a dime, so I put it in the collection plate. I did not have anything better to do with it.

MISS REBECCA: It's very nice of you to give to the church, but your attitude about giving isn't very biblical.

D.B.: What do you mean?

MISS REBECCA: The Bible says we shouldn't give our leftovers. It says that we should give God our first fruits.

D.B.: Then that does not apply to me.

MISS REBECCA: Why?

D.B.: Because I did not buy fruit with my allowance. Just candy.

MISS REBECCA: That's not what that means.

D.B.: Unless God wants my runts.

MISS REBECCA: God doesn't want your runts.

D.B.: Oh, good. Because they are my favorite.

MISS REBECCA: What He wants is for you to give to Him first and not give whatever is left over.

D.B.: Oh So I should have given to God before I bought my candy?

MISS REBECCA: Exactly. The Bible goes even farther, though. It reminds us that it's all really God's to start with, and we should give everything to Him.

D.B.: Then the church would need a much bigger collection plate.

MISS REBECCA: That's not what I...

D.B.: It would be full of toys and candy and...

MISS REBECCA: I didn't mean...

D.B.: cars and houses...

MISS REBECCA: Now you're just getting silly.

D.B.: and dogs and clothes...

MISS REBECCA: D.B.

D.B.: Then people would be coming to church with no clothes on!

MISS REBECCA: D.B.!!

D.B.: (calmly) Yes?

MISS REBECCA: That's not what that means.

D.B.: Phew! That was a very unpleasant mental image.

MISS REBECCA: It means that, since everything is God's, we need to take good care of it and use everything to God's glory.

D.B.: That makes a lot more sense.

MISS REBECCA: I would think so.

D.B.: And does not involve naked people at church.

MISS REBECCA: Yes.

D.B.: I am going to pay God first the next time I get my allowance, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Good for you, D.B.

D.B.: Bye, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Bye, D.B.

We Will Rock You

Scripture Reference: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19

A lesson about praising Jesus, the King.

Cast:
STONES
NARRATOR

Props:
• I made my stones out of foam rubber prop rocks with sticks attached to allow them to dance and move.
• Music (I chose “Every Move I Make” from Shout to the Lord Kids)

(When the music starts, the puppet stage is empty. Once the intro ends, the STONES enter and dance to the music.)

(NARRATOR enters after the music ends.)

NARRATOR: “I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Pent & Repent

Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10

A lesson about repentance.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR.MATT – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
none

(MR. MATT is on stage.)

DILLY: How y’all doin’, Mr. Matt?

MR. MATT: Great. How are you, Dilly?

DILLY: I’m finer than frog hair.

MR. MATT: Glad to hear it.

DILLY: I was wondering if y’all would like to go with me to the shoe sale at Henney Penney.

MR. MATT: I’m not a big fan of shoe shopping. Why don’t you go with Flora?

DILLY: Flora and I are not on speaking terms at present.

MR. MATT: I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?

DILLY: She took offense at once teensy little comment.

MR. MATT: What comment?

DILLY: And I followed it with “bless your heart,” which everyone who’s anybody knows means you cannot take offense.

MR. MATT: What did you say to her, Dilly?

DILLY: I told Flora that she had all the fashion sense of a family of hyperactive baboons at a church rummage sale.

MR. MATT: Dilly! That’s terrible!

DILLY: But I said “bless your heart.”

MR. MATT: That doesn’t matter. That was mean. No wonder Flora’s not talking to you.

DILLY: You have that all wrong. I am not talking to Flora.

MR. MATT: Why are you not talking to Flora?

DILLY: She would not accept my apology.

MR. MATT: And why was that?

DILLY: She said it lacked sincerity.

MR. MATT: How did you apologize?

DILLY: I said I was sorry she has the fashion sense of a three year old on a sugar high, but I still think she’s adorable.

MR. MATT: Dilly! That’s no apology.

DILLY: But I said I was sorry. I cain’t help it if she is as hard-headed as a mosquito trying to bite an iron cow.

MR. MATT: If you are really sorry, then your apology should show you regret what you said.

DILLY: Even if she does have the fashion sense of a yard sale after a tornado?

MR. MATT: Cut that out! You also need to repent.

DILLY: How can I repent when I haven’t even pented?

MR. MATT: No. You need to not only feel bad for what you’ve done, but you need to stop doing it.

DILLY: So I cain’t say that Flora has all the fashion sense of…

MR. MATT: No! If Flora is really your friend, you’ll apologize. If you really mean it, you won’t do it again.

DILLY: Well, tie me down and call me a wagon wheel. I see what you mean, Mr. Matt. Flora is more precious to me than any well-phrased backhanded compliment. I must go at once to Flora and apologize for real (exits quickly)

MR. MATT: (stares at the stage surprised by DILLY’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all!

Violet’s Stuff

Scripture Reference: Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30

A lesson about God vs. stuff.

Cast:
VIOLET – a very tightly-wound purple bird
MR. JEFF – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
Lots of stuff (both ordinary and unusual) to toss from the puppet stage

(This skits starts at the end of “The Rich Man” monolog from Traveling Light. After the last line (“He doesn’t understand! I’VE GOT A LOTTA STUFF!”) stuff starts flying from the puppet stage.)

MR. JEFF: What in the world? (walks over to puppet stage, dodging projectiles) Cut it out! (stuff keeps flying; look behind puppet stage) Violet, is that you?

VIOLET: (appears and says frantically) What?!?

MR. JEFF: Look at this mess you made. What are you doing?

VIOLET: Getting rid of all my stuff.

MR. JEFF: Why?

VIOLET: Don’t you even listen to yourself?

MR. JEFF: Not always. What did I say?

VIOLET: That Jesus told that guy to get rid of all his stuff.

MR. JEFF: Yeah, but that doesn’t explain why your trashing our classroom.

VIOLET: Don’t you get it?! If I don’t get rid of all this stuff I can’t go to heaven!

MR. JEFF: I’m not sure you heard the story right.

VIOLET: You might not have been listening, but I was paying close attention. Jesus definitely told that guy to get rid of all his stuff. So… (exits and stuff starts flying again)

MR. JEFF: Violet!

VIOLET: (enters) What?

MR. JEFF: Let’s go at this differently What do you have to do to be saved?

VIOLET: Have faith that Jesus Christ died for the forgiveness of my sins.

MR. JEFF: Exactly. Does that have anything to do with stuff?

VIOLET: No! But Jesus told that guy to sell his stuff!

MR. JEFF: That was an instruction to that one person. The man in the story didn’t understand what it meant to be saved. He thought if he was good enough, he’d be saved. Jesus tried to show this to him by giving him something impossible for him to do.

VIOLET: So Jesus didn’t want him to be saved?

MR. JEFF: No, the Bible tells us that God desires all to be saved.

VIOLET: So it was impossible for him to be saved?

MR. JEFF: It was impossible for him to save himself. When the disciples asked Jesus who can be saved, he said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

VIOLET: So why did Jesus tell the guys to sell his stuff?

MR. JEFF: There’s just one way to God, and that’s through Jesus Christ. For the rich man, his stuff was blocking the way.

VIOLET: Oh.

MR. JEFF: We all need to remove whatever is blocking our way to God. It may be stuff or pride or fear or ignorance. We can help people clear the way, but only God can save anyone.

VIOLET: Well, I knew that!

MR. JEFF: (looking around at all the stuff on the ground) Oh, really?

VIOLET: Oh, that.

MR. JEFF: Yeah, that.

VIOLET: Um… I think I hear the phone ringing. Gotta go. Bye. (exits)

MR. JEFF: Bye, Violet.

Knocks Your Socks Off

Scripture Reference: Luke 17:11-19

A lesson about thankfulness.

Cast:
D.B. – a good albeit not very bright bunny
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
Toe socks

(D.B. enters but does not speak. He is obviously in a bad mood.)

MISS REBECCA: Hey, D.B.

D.B.: Oh, hi, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: You don’t seem to be in a very good mood, sweetie. What’s wrong?

D.B.: My mamma wants me to write my gramma a thank you note for my Christmas present.

MISS REBECCA: That sounds like a very nice thing to do. What’s the problem?

D.B.: I am not thankful for my Christmas present.

MISS REBECCA: That’s not a very nice thing to say.

D.B.: But it is true.

MISS REBECCA: What’s wrong with your Christmas present?

D.B.: She bought me socks.

MISS REBECCA: Socks can be a good present.

D.B.: But I am a puppet, and I do not have any feet.

MISS REBECCA: Well, there is that. Maybe you could wear them as ear warmers.

D.B.: They are TOE socks. (produces socks in question)

MISS REBECCA: Ah. Well, you should still be thankful that your gramma loves you enough to buy you a present.

D.B.: You sound like my mamma.

MISS REBECCA: She must be a very wise woman.

D.B.: She is, but she is wrong this time.

MISS REBECCA: Maybe you’re right.

D.B.: Huh?

MISS REBECCA: Why write a thank you note for a crumby gift?

D.B.: Yeah!

MISS REBECCA: Sounds like your gramma is a very mean, uncaring grandmother.

D.B.: Wait a minute…

MISS REBECCA: Toe socks. She’s obviously a terrible person.

D.B.: No, she is not! She is a wonderful person!

MISS REBECCA: I don’t know.

D.B.: She is. Whenever I spend the night, she always makes my favorite foods, and we watch my favorite movies, and she has my favorite candy – carrot M&M’s.

MISS REBECCA: That is nice, but she obviously doesn’t love you enough to buy you any good presents.

D.B.: She does too! For my last birthday, she bought me a light saber and the Lego Watership Down video game. And last Christmas, she bought me the Star Hares Trilogy on DVD.

MISS REBECCA: Yeah, but toe socks. What was she thinking?

D.B.: She was thinking that she loves me.

MISS REBECCA: Exactly.

D.B.: Besides, I could wear them as ear warmers.

MISS REBECCA: What a good idea.

D.B.: And… Wait a minute. You tricked me.

MISS REBECCA: (innocently) Tricked you?

D.B.: You tricked me into being thankful for my Christmas present.

MISS REBECCA: I didn’t trick you so much as remind you of all you have to be thankful for.

D.B.: I am going to write my gramma the most sweetest thank you card ever.

MISS REBECCA: That’s a great idea.

D.B.: Thanks, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: You’re welcome, D.B.

D.B.: Bye, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Bye, D.B.

By His Strength

Scripture Reference: Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-49

A lesson about faith and prayer.

Cast:

DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight

MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:

none

(MISS REBECCA is on stage.)

DILLY: How y’all doin’, Miss Rebecca?

MISS REBECCA: Fantastic! How are you today, Miss Dilly?

DILLY: I’m finer than frog hair.

MISS REBECCA: I seem to recall hearing last summer that you were raising money to build chicken coops for homeless chickens.

DILLY: Yes, the Lord laid that burden on my heart, and I have been diligently obedient to that calling.

MISS REBECCA: I’m glad to hear that. How’s it going?

DILLY: Well, lately raising money has been about as easy as trying to steer a herd of cats.

MISS REBECCA: I’m sorry to hear that. What seems to be the problem?

DILLY: With the bad economy, people are tighter than my Aunt Bessie’s corset. No matter what we do, we’re having trouble raising money.

MISS REBECCA: What have you tried?

DILLY: We tried a kissing booth. We even had that cute Elly Mae working. She’s a cute as a basket full of speckled puppies.

MISS REBECCA: How’d that work out.

DILLY: Not so good. It turns out that chickens to not have lips. She nearly put out the eyes of three roosters before we had to shut it down.S

MISS REBECCA: That’s too bad. What else did you try?

DILLY: Next we had a picnic. It was in a very lovely park, and we even had it catered.

MISS REBECCA: That sounds like a good idea.

DILLY: It was, but unfortunately, the caterer served fried chicken.

MISS REBECCA: But everyone likes fried… Oh!

DILLY: Oh, indeed. That caterer was as sharp as a bagful of wet mice.

MISS REBECCA: I hope you won’t give up. It is such a good cause.

DILLY: I won’t give up ‘til the gravy’s cold, but I am running out of ideas.

MISS REBECCA: Have you prayed about it?

DILLY: Oh heavens no!

MISS REBECCA: No? Why not?

DILLY: This is a special mission given to me by God. I’m not about to go back to Him and tell Him I can’t do it.

MISS REBECCA: Prayer isn’t giving up. God chose you, but He didn’t intend for you to do it alone.

DILLY: Well, I do have Flora helping me.

MISS REBECCA: That’s great, but I mean that God wants to help you. We aren’t suppose to do His work by our own strength but by His strength.

DILLY: Well, if that don’t sauté my gizzard. That is such a relief. It’s exhausting do this by myself.

MISS REBECCA: Some things can be worked out only by prayer.

DILLY: Well, I couldn’t be more excited if there was a shoe sale. I just know we are going to make tremendous progress now with God’s help. I must go at once and start praying. (exits quickly)

MISS REBECCA: (stares at the stage surprised by DILLY’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all!

Backstage Epiphany

Scripture Reference: Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36

A lesson about mountaintop experiences.

Cast:
OZZIE – an excitable little monster
SQUIGGLY – Ozzie’s pet worm
MR.MIKE – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
none

(MR. MIKE is on stage.)

MR. MIKE: (after praying) Time to turn your attention to the puppet stage for our puppet show. (long pause) Our puppet show! (long pause) Are you back there, Ozzie?

OZZIE: Yes.

MR. MIKE: Are you coming out?

OZZIE: No.

MR. MIKE: Be a good fellow and come out and talk to the kids.

OZZIE: Um… No.

MR. MIKE: Why not?

OZZIE: Well, Mr. Mike, I was back here praying while you and the kids were praying.

MR. MIKE: That’s good.

OZZIE: And I had a deep spiritual experience.

MR. MIKE: That’s wonderful, Ozzie. But why aren’t you coming out?

OZZIE: I’ve realized that this is a special place, because I heard from God here. So I’ve decided to stay backstage.

MR. MIKE: For how long?

OZZIE: Forever.

MR. MIKE: Forever?

OZZIE: That’s the plan.

MR. MIKE: How do you plan to eat?

OZZIE: (mystically) I figured God would send ravens to feed me and tend to my needs. (casually) Or Squiggly can fetch me some Twinkies.

SQUIGGLY: (appears and nods)

MR. MIKE: What about school?

OZZIE: I won’t miss school. Besides, Squiggly can bring me my homework.

SQUIGGLY: (nods)

MR. MIKE: What about chores at home?

OZZIE: I’m spending time with God here. I’m sure my mom will understand. If not, then Squiggly can do my chores for me.

SQUIGGLY: (shakes head no)

MR. MIKE: But what about all the fine boys and girls?

OZZIE: What about them?

MR. MIKE: They are waiting on you. They learn so much from you.

OZZIE: You don’t say.

MR. MIKE: I do say. The kids need you, Ozzie.

OZZIE: Squiggly can handle it.

SQUIGGLY: (faints)

MR. MIKE: Apparently not. It’s great to spend time in God’s presence, but God also wants you doing things to make a difference in people’s lives and telling people about Him.

OZZIE: Seriously?

MR. MIKE: Seriously. Now be a good fellow and come on out.

OZZIE: (appears) OK. (pause) Now what?

MR. MIKE: Share with them our lesson for today.

OZZIE: (very seriously) Our lesson for today is… (dramatic pause, clears throat, the says quickly) what Mr. Mike said. (disappears)

MR. MIKE: Ozzie!

Looking for a Sleight Advantage

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-34, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-15

A lesson about the Bread of Life.

Cast:
DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
MR. MATT – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
none

(MR. MATT begins on stage.)

DILLY: Mr. Matt!

MR. MATT: Hi, Dilly. How’s it going?

DILLY: I’m as frazzled as a handful of Twizzlers.

MR. MATT: What’s the matter?

DILLY: I’m having a little luncheon at my house today, and I have been working around the cluck to get it ready.

MR. MATT: Do you need some help setting up?

DILLY: I have some help. Flora is helping, and that’s the problem.

MR. MATT: Why is Flora the problem?

DILLY: Don’t get me wrong, Flora is an outstanding worker, but she is a softy, bless her heart.

MR. MATT: What’s wrong with that?

DILLY: In this case, she felt bad that some had not been invited to my luncheon and proceeded to invite them.

MR. MATT: That was nice of her.

DILLY: But she did not consider that some of them are the hoi polloi, and I had chosen not to invite them.

MR. MATT: Anyway, what do you need me for?

DILLY: Well, we are sorely lacking in victuals, so I was hoping you could show me that trick that Jesus did.

MR. MATT: What trick are you talking about?

DILLY: Y’all know that one. When he fed the 5000 folks that bitty bit of fish and bread. Knowing that would be as useful as a shirt pocket.

MR. MATT: That wasn’t a trick; that was a miracle.

DILLY: I’ll say. And it’ll take a miracle to pull off this luncheon after what Flora did.

MR. MATT: No, I mean it wasn’t a sleight of hand. Jesus performed a miracle when He fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fish.

DILLY: That’s what I’m getting at. How can I do that? And does it work with feed corn?

MR. MATT: He didn’t pull more food out of His sleeve or from behind someone’s ear. Jesus created the food.

DILLY: Well, I can’t do that!

MR. MATT: Exactly. Jesus is God and, despite what you may think, you aren’t.

DILLY: Well, tie me to a pig and roll me in the mud! I get it now! How excitin’! We can make do with the food we have or have potluck or figure something out. I now have the most scintillating topic of discussion for our luncheon. I must find Flora and share the news. (exits)

MR. MATT: (stares at the stage surprised at Dilly’s sudden departure)

DILLY: (reappears) I almost forgot – bye, y’all! (exits)

Faith of the Centurion

Scripture Reference: Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:2-10

A lesson about faith and authority.

Cast:
A Roman Centurion

Costume:
Though no costume is needed, could wear something that hints at military.

CENTURION: I am a Roman Centurion. As my name implies, I am in authority over 100 men, Rome’s finest soldiers. They are fine fighting men, because they understand how to follow orders. Authority and obedience are very important in a soldier. If a man is in battle, it can cost him his life if he does not immediately obey an order without question. I got where I am today, because I understand command and authority. Being a soldier is my career and my life.

That is why when I was sent to Israel, this land forsaken by the gods, I did not question my orders but obeyed. But I can tell you that I was none too pleased. It is not a great honor to be stationed here for it is an odd place. These Jews are a poor people. They are so poor that they have only one god, and they don’t even know what he looks like. We Romans have hundreds of gods with statues of them all over the place. But I have to admit, that the more time I spend here, the more uneasy I become about their God. They seem to draw strength from their God. Our gods don’t do anything. And though the Emperor claims to be a god, no one really believes it.

Then there is this Rabbi who is causing quite a stir. His name is Jesus. They claim he is the Christos, or Messiah in their language. He claims to be their God’s son. Normally, I wouldn’t give any credence to such a claim, but I have heard stories of supernatural occurrences – miracles. The blind seeing, the lame walking, demons cast out, even the dead raised. Not a one of our pantheon of gods can do this. Not even our physicians, the best in the world, can do these things. There is obviously something more to this man than the many charlatans making wild religious claims all over this strange land.

Then one day, one of my servants became gravely ill. He became paralyzed and was suffering terribly. He was about to die. This servant was very dear to me; he was like a son. I went to the rabbi and asked him to heal my servant. He said He would come to my home and heal him. I knew enough about these Jews to know that I was considered a Gentile and therefore unclean. I could not ask the rabbi to degrade himself by coming to my home, so I said to him, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

I guess the rabbi was impressed by this, because he turned to the crowd and said, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." He then turned to me and said, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would."

When I arrived home, I discovered that my servant had been healed at that very hour.

A Family Christmas

by Jeff & Kelli Childs

Cast:
FATHER & MOTHER – parents of a very large family
HANNA – the grumpy one
CALLIE – the know-it-all
ELIJAH – the Star Wars buff
HAYLEY – the cheerleader
NIKKI – the diva
DALTON – the sleepyhead
AMANDA – the bookworm

Props:
Bible with large-font printed verses inserted.
Stuffed animal for Hanna
Large text book for Callie
Light sabers for Elijah & Dalton
Pom-poms for Hayley
Tiara for Nikki
Nativity set

Costumes:
Father and Mother are dressed for an evening at home.
The children are dressed in Christmas pajamas.


Scene opens with MOTHER & FATHER sitting in chairs reading their Bibles. FATHER hears noises from the hall.

FATHER: Are you kids ready for bed? Come on in.

Children come in dressed for bed. Each comes in and starts doing something in character – e.g., DALTON and ELIJAH are having a light saber fight, HAYLEY is doing a cheer. The other children can be playing or trying to get Father to read their book.

FATHER waits patiently then speaks.

FATHER: Quiet everyone! Have a seat!

The children stop playing and gather around the parents.

FATHER: Okay, okay. Tonight we're going read the Christmas story. I think this year you all are old enough to read it for yourselves. (Offering Bible.) Who wants to read first?

HANNA:I will. (Takes Bible.) Where should I start? (Starts flipping through Bible.)

FATHER: Let’s start in the book of Isaiah.

AMANDA: (annoyed) Isaiah?!? That’s the Old Testament. The Christmas story is in the New Testament.

FATHER: But the story of Jesus starts with the prophecies of His birth. Check out these verses in Isaiah written about 700 years before Jesus was born. Hanna you start, and Amanda you finish. (FATHER opens Bible to reading for HANNA.)

HANNA: The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

AMANDA: For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

MOTHER: Just like the people of Israel were in darkness until the Messiah came, people today live in darkness until Jesus comes to live in their hearts.

CALLIE: (showing off) You know, Jesus is sometimes called Emmanuel, which means "God with us."

FATHER: Very good, Callie. Will you read next for us, please. Luke 1:26-38.

CALLIE: In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

MOTHER: Even though Mary was afraid, she trusted God and was obedient.

FATHER: Let's sing a Christmas song. What would you guys like to sing?

CALLIE and HANNA both put their hands up, but CALLIE answers first.

CALLIE: Silent Night!

All sing. Hanna pouts.

FATHER: That was great. Let's read next about Jesus’ birth? (Noticing that ELIJAH is distracted by his light saber.) Elijah, would you please read Luke 2.

ELIJAH: (once he realizes he has been spoken to, takes Bible and reads)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

What's a manger?

FATHER: A manger is a food trough or box. It was what the cows ate from. It was a weird place to put a baby, but remember they were in a barn. It had a dirt floor covered with animal droppings. (CHILDREN say “Ew!” and “Ick!”) The manger was probably the cleanest place in there.

MOTHER: Now that you know what a manger is, can you think of song with that in it?

ELIJAH and HANNA both put their hands up, but ELIJAH answers first.

ELIJAH: Away in a Manger.

All sing. Hanna pouts.

FATHER: And who wants to read about the shepherds?

HAYLEY: (jumping up & shaking her pom-poms, cheers) I do, I do, I-I-I-I-I-I do!

FATHER: Hmm. How about Hayley. Pick up the story at verse 8.

HAYLEY: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

FATHER: Think about it. God sent the most important birth announcement ever to this group of dirty, poor men that nobody even wanted to be around.

MOTHER: Let's sing a another song. What should we sing next?

HAYLEY and HANNA both put their hands up, but HAYLEY answers first.

HAYLEY: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

All sing. Hanna pouts.

FATHER: Let’s see. We’ve had Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds. Who are we missing?

NIKKI: (very importantly) The wise men!

FATHER: That’s right! Would you read about the wise men, Nikki, in Matthew 2 please.

NIKKI: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

MOTHER: By faith the wise men followed the star, and it led them to the King, the baby Jesus.

FATHER: And they brought with them the things they valued most: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They laid these gifts before the baby Jesus as a sign worship and obedience.

MOTHER: We can do that, too.

CHILDREN: How?

MOTHER: By surrendering the things that we value most to Jesus. Not just our stuff, but our talents, too.

FATHER: And when we all do that, it will truly bring Joy to the World.

MOTHER: (Smiling) That would make a great song title.

FATHER: (Chuckling) Yes, it would. Why don't we sing Joy to the World?

As everyone sings, one child at a time gets quiet and looks at the thing he/she values most (light saber, tiara, etc.) and lays it in front of the manger then rejoins the singing. Finally, HANNA lays down her stuffed animal, kneels, and prays. When she's done, she smiles and joins in the singing.

FATHER: Okay, kids, it's getting late. Off to bed for all of you.

The CHILDREN leave with hugs and good-nights.

All CHILDREN leave except DALTON, who is asleep. FATHER walks over, picks him up, and carries him out. MOTHER turns out the light and follows them out.