SermonStudio

Appropriate for both Christmas and Advent. Staging for this play is very simple and requires little space, though placing characters on different levels would enhance the effect. A spotlight is suggested to highlight each character as each one speaks. These characters may also be effectively used individually, one for each Sunday in Advent.

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Setting: Stage with five stools; stools should be placed in various areas in front of the sanctuary. (Mary and Young Child are staged close together.) Each character has a letter he or she has written. These should vary in envelope size, type, and color of paper

Characters:
SIMEON: The wise and gentle prophet who waited for Jesus' birth
MARY: The mother of Jesus
FATHER: A man who is the spiritual head of his household
TEENAGER: Boy or girl
YOUNG CHILD: Old enough to read, boy or girl

Costumes:
Simeon and Mary: Traditional Jewish apparel

Father, Teenager and Young Child: Modern dress

Props: Five stools of various sizes and kinds, five letters of various types, Bible for Teenager, pencil, pen

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(All characters enter, sit on stools, then freeze)

SIMEON: (Standing in front of his stool. Most of the time he gazes into the heavens, only looking down occasionally at the letter in his hands. He is deeply moved and quietly excited) To my most humble Son of God: Welcome to earth. At last you have come ... For many years I, Simeon, have waited for this moment. In my bones, in my very being, I have sensed your arrival. Hungrily, I've searched the scriptures until the pages shredded in my hands for a time, a place. I've spent so many wakeless nights, many a restless day pleading for you to hasten. My Father, the world is weary, the Roman oppression so heavy and demeaning, men faint rather than live. (Pauses)

And you have come at last. Not as a king but as a babe of lowly estate. Once again, you have proven that your ways are always higher.

This small note, this token from my heart, humbly wishes to say thank you for coming to earth. For it is you who will bring peace to the hearts of men. It is you, and only you who can make the world sing again. My Jesus it will be a long journey for you, for all of us, but for now I am content. Humankind will be redeemed at last. Your loving servant, Simeon. (Bows his head in prayer and remains this way through rest of play)

YOUNG CHILD: (Reads from letter) Dear Jesus: Mom said before I can play with any of my Christmas toys, I have to write you a thank you letter. (Sighs and shrugs) I figured I might as well tell you the truth since Mom and Dad say you know everything anyway.

Thanks for all the neat stuff. I like my toys a lot. I like my family, too. Dad's the greatest and so's Mom. You can have my little brother though, if you want. He cries a lot.

Can you tell me why so many kids my age don't have neat families? Some of my friends are pretty sad. Their families fight all the time. Dad says that's why you came to earth, so people would love one another and not fight any more. Oops, guess I'd better keep my little brother.

Next year if you make my friends and their families happy again, you can forget my presents. Yes, I'm really serious. Your friend, Susan. (Gets off stool and kneels beside it in prayer)

MARY: (Letter remains in her lap as she recites from memory) The angels ... the shepherds ... the star ... My precious Son, my heart is so full of wonderment. There is so much to think about, to experience. There are so many questions I have. What does the future hold? What does all this mean? The Messiah ... Emmanuel ... God With Us ... Prince of Peace.

For nine months I carried you within me. Each day I thought, "Today the plan of God will become clear to me." But I seem to know less now than ever before. The Son of God born to me, a virgin, in a lowly stable. Yet, he is a King.

I write you this note, Emmanuel, to share with you my feelings of hope on this your birthday. Even in my confusion, I know the salvation of the world rests in your hands. The prophets have called you the Prince of Peace. And of our kingdom there shall be no end. My heart knows you are the King of kings! You are the Lord of lords! Welcome to earth, King Jesus! Your loving mother, Mary. (Kneels down beside child and puts her arm around him/her. They remain in prayer)

TEENAGER: (Letter and pen in hand) Okay, I hope you don't think I'm being strange, sitting here in my room writing you a letter when everyone else is still out in the dining room stuffing their faces with Christmas turkey. Guess there are some advantages to being a teenager. The relatives are probably saying, "He must have gotten bored." The fact is, kids my age do a lot more heavy thinking than they get credit for. Of course, you know that.

I had to get away for a few minutes. Last night, Jesus, you were so real I could hardly breathe. And you even knew my attitude. Not good! You knew I just went caroling with the group because I wanted to hang out, certainly not to spread Christmas cheer. (Sighs) You and I haven't had a whole lot to do with each other for quite a while. Hey, I'm young. I've got places to go, things to do. (Pauses in wonderment and disbelief) And I was standing in the back sort of mouthing "Silent Night," and you hit me with a brick. Your presence was all over the snow, in the air and I suddenly knew you were the Savior of the World ... and you loved me.

Where did all the unrest inside of me go? It's gone! It's unreal! Well, anyway I just wanted to tell you -- thanks. And to let you know I'm back, I hope for keeps. Your peace is the best Christmas present anyone could receive. Your friend forever, James. (Takes Bible from under stool and opens it on his lap. Reads quietly)

FATHER: Well, Lord, I sit here, pen in hand, wondering why I am the most fortunate of all the characters sitting up here. I eavesdropped on wise Simeon and shared his hope. (Pauses) You allowed me to slip into the tender heart of a young child. (Pauses) You walked me back to share the glory of that first night with Mary, your oh so young and trusting mother. (Pauses) You showed me the maturing heart of my own teenager. And I wonder, how do I fit into this marvelous plan.

If I could only scoop the nations of the world up into one giant shovel and place them before your lowly manger. Surely they would see the message, the love. (Shakes head and sighs) No, probably not.

People's hearts seem so cold, so calloused. Kneeling before a manger is so humbling, so yielding. And yet you were willing ... willing not only to be born in a common stable but to die for sins you never even committed.

(Stands up, looking toward heaven) Which brings me to the purpose of this letter. I want you to teach me the way of humbleness. I want you to use me to pour out your love to those still searching for that peace that only you can give. I know it's not much, one man in a whole ocean of humanity ... but then I remember the man, Jesus of Nazareth, and I know one man is enough. Merry Christmas, Lord. Love, Keith.