Book Read Free

Ripples

Page 13

by Jim Payton

from the front of the chamber. That is when Dad saw Jesus. He was speaking with the two men while he took off his burial clothes. Dad was just going to go and ask them all what was going on when some of the women he had seen at the crucifixion arrived. While they were surprised to see Jesus, they were very happy about it. When Jesus left, Dad went and found some of Jesus’ followers and spoke with them. At first they were afraid that Dad was going to blame them, but once they knew he wanted to know more about Jesus they told him all that Jesus had done while he was alive. They also told him that Jesus had said that he would come back to life three days after dying but that they had not believed him.

  So, that is the special thing I have had to write. My Dad now knows for real that Jesus is the Son of God. He sometimes gets a hard time from his friends but he says that it does not matter what they say. He says he saw Jesus die and come back to life again. Dad says that when he was alive, Jesus never ever did anything wrong. He died because people told lies about him. Dad says that because Jesus died without doing anything wrong he is able to take all our wrongs away from us so that after we die we will come back to life as well. I will have to think about how he does that.

  Play 1 Little Star

  (A Christmas Play suitable for any number of children at Sunday school level. Dependant upon the number of children available, the number of animals, angels, shepherds etc can be altered.)

  Overview: God wants some way of telling the world Jesus is born. Unable to think of a way, he gets his creation together and they pool various ideas, finally deciding on a star shining brightly over the Inn where Jesus is born. It is wound up with a version of ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ adapted for the occasion, and the singing of The First Nowell.

  The play involves not only the main cast but also the congregation as The Choir.

  The part of Little Star would be particularly suitable for a boisterous out going child that every Sunday school will have. There is a seat on the stage area for God and the children, in their costumes will be either at the back of the room or off stage. A Nativity scene is behind the stage backdrop.

  Little Star

  Congregation sing the Hymn,‘and did you see him little star?’

  God enters from the rear of church and sits on his throne.

  God:

  This is silly. I am God and I do not know what to do. My son Jesus is being born next week and I do not know how to let everybody know. I was going to put a notice in the paper but it is not much of a paper these days. I much preferred the old stone tablets. I could put it over the radio but of course that has not been invented yet The problem is that I have had to spend so much time sorting out the prayers of that congregation at (Name of your Church). It is a nightmare and they have not even been born yet. I know what I will do; I will get all my creation together and see what they think. Sun, come on up here and sit down.

  (Sun enters from the rear of church and takes up a position on God’s right hand side.)

  Moon, you come up here as well please. (Moon enters from the rear of church and takes up position on God’s left hand side.)

  A star, is there a star? (Star enters from the rear of church and stands beside sun.) What a lovely little star. You just wait there a moment star.

  Angels, angels, where are you my angels? (Angels enter and stand beside the moon.) Ah, there you are. Come along. Come along. Are there any Kings or rulers or wise people, apart from (insert name of Pastor, Minister or Superintendent Etc.?) You stay where you are (Pastor, Minister or Superintendent.) Good, come on Wise People and King. (Wise people and King enter and position themselves wherever you want them.)

  Shepherds where are you? Come along in. (Shepherds enter and God looks at them once they are in position.) Very good. Very good. Now, who else have I created? Oh yes, the animals. Are there any animals? (Animals enter from the rear of the church.)

  You lot just sit down and behave yourselves. Now, have I forgotten anyone? Oh, yes, of course, the choir leader. (The choir leader enters.

  Come along choir leader. Where is your choir? You cannot be a choir leader without a choir!

  Choir Leader:

  There they are. (Leader gestures to the congregation.) All of them out there.

  God:

  Very good. Very good. My son Jesus is about to be born and I need a way of telling every one on earth. I have tried and tried to think of something but I need help. Can any of you think of a way?

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly?

  Angel 1:

  Nobody would see YOU. I know, how about a big thunderclap and a loud voice?

  God:

  No. No. I do not think that would do. It would scare people.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly?

  Angel 2:

  You wouldn’t be seen. You’re unimportant. How about a fly past of a host of angels?

  God:

  No, I don’t think so.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly?

  Choir Leader:

  How about a heavenly choir? We could sing something like O Come all ye faithful. Look, we will show you:

  Congregation:

  Sing verse 1 and refrain of O Come all ye faithful.

  God:

  Mmm, yes. That is a possibility.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly?

  (Sun pushes through to the front.)

  Sun:

  No, no, no. That would never do. I’ll stop my journey over the earth and stay over the town. Then I’ll really heat up and every one will know that something important is happening. They’ll take notice of me.

  God:

  Oh dear, I do wish you would be a little nicer sun. I will never know why I made you so rude.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly?

  Choir Leader:

  What about Hark the Herald Angels? Listen.

  Congregation:

  Sing first verse of Hark the Herald Angels

  Sun:

  I’m not rude God. Just good, better than average, the best and brightest. At least earth would take more notice of me than they would of star, or the moon.

  God:

  The moon. Now there is an idea. What do you think moon? Could you do it?

  Moon:

  Oh, no I don’t think so. I don’t like crowds. I much prefer the dark when there are not so many people about. No, I think I would like to stay at home.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly.

  God:

  What about you King and Wise people?

  King:

  We could do something.

  1st Wise Person:

  We have had a meeting and employed some consultants.

  2nd Wise Person:

  It is our suggestion that we have a parade.

  1st Wise Person:

  We would ride in a special chariot.

  2nd Wise Person:

  Then King would make a speech.

  King:

  Then I would give all the children a special school holiday.

  God:

  I was actually thinking more of my son.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly?

  The lion, lamb and other animals have a fight.

  God:

  Behave yourselves you animals. Lion, do you have any ideas?

  Lion:

  We could all be friendly.

  (All the animals hug each other and wave their hands.)

  Lamb:

  Does that mean you would not kill and eat any of us ever again?

  Lion:

  Well, maybe.

  Lamb:

  The opossums could stop eating the trees. The butterflies could stop eating the cabbages.

  Lion:

  If that happened everyone would know something important was up.

  God:

  No, that’s not really what
I had in mind.

  Choir Leader:

  What about Oh Come all ye Faithful. Remember? We’ll sing it again. Come on choir.

  Congregation:

  Sing Verse 1 and refrain from O Come all Ye Faithful.

  Shepherd 1:

  Look here God, me and me mates have got a bit of an idea.

  Shepherd 2:

  Yeah, we could all sit out in our paddocks and watch over our sheep.

  Choir Leader:

  Now there is an idea. You watch your sheep and we will sing The first Nowell. Are you ready choir, the first verse and the chorus.

  Congregation:

  Sing first verse and chorus of The First Nowell.

  God:

  I do not know if that would achieve a lot.

  Little Star:

  What about me shining brightly.

  Sun:

  For goodness sake little star, don’t you understand that God’s son’s birth is important? Some big sign is needed. A dumb little star isn’t going to do that.

  God:

  Now, now, Sun. That will never do. There is to be no fighting. Let us hear what Little Star has to say. Speak up Little Star.

  Little Star:

  Well, I know I am only little but baby Jesus will only be little too. I would stay just over where Jesus will lay and I would shine so brightly that everyone would see me. Then, they would all know that something important was happening.

  God:

  I think you might have an idea their little star.

  Angel Leader:

  I think Little Star is right. The least among us shall be first.

  King and Wise People:

  Then we would know where to go and visit, and take our presents.

  Choir Leader:

  We could sing to the shepherds in their paddocks and tell them what the star means.

  Shepherds:

  We could listen to the choir.

  God:

  Yes, that is it. That is the way it

‹ Prev