A Gift with No Strings Attached (two STRINGERs, stroll up center aisle, excitedly) STRINGER #1: This is so exciting! I can't believe ANOTHER gift! Oooh, I love gifts! I love gifts! STRINGER #2: You SURE that's why God called us up here? You SURE it's a gift? I mean, what if it's something else? I mean, what if it's more WORK? STRINGER #1: What a downer! Do you always have to be such a pessimist? Just THINK of all the wonderful things He has done for us, all the wonderful gifts! Just think of Grace -- dontcha think that is a pretty good gift? STRINGER #2: Oh yeah, Grace is good. I definitely like Grace. (yawning) But I definitely don't want any more burdens... THE LORD: (meets them at the front) Hello, My children. I have something very special for you today! STRINGER #1: (smugly, to #2) SEE! I told you! STRINGER #2: (aside, sarcastically) I hope it's a VACATION, or at least a HOLIDAY... THE LORD: (produces Golden Apple with a flourish) This is for you, My children... STRINGERS #1 & #2: (eyes bugging out, enchanted, gasping) WOW! It's beautiful! I've never seen anything like it before! (Stringer #2 goes to BITE Golden Apple) THE LORD: (pulls back Golden Apple) Don't BITE it! This is for remembrance. This is for you to remember Me. To remember that I created you. And it is also a symbol so that you will always remember that someday soon we will be together forever! STRINGER #1: (takes Golden Apple, is very moved, very choked up) Thank you, Lord! It is sooooo beautiful. I've never seen anything like it! We love it -- STRINGER #2: (equally excited) Yeah, we love it! (gets close to inspect the gift) THE LORD: (departing) Keep this gift, always. Remember, it is a gift of love. It is a gift of beauty. I made it just for you, and you should ALWAYS take delight in it! STRINGERS #1 & #2: We'll remember, Lord! Don't worry! We love it! Wow, it's so beautiful... THE DEVIL: (approaches from behind, stands behind Stringers) Bumpkins! Do you think you can take care of the Lord's gift? STRINGER #2: (as if he half-heard the devil) You know, maybe you should LET ME take care of the Gift. You are kind of a bumpkin, you know... STRINGER #1: (insulted) You've got a lot of nerve. MAYBE you could take care of this Gift, but then again, I don't want to burden you. THE DEVIL: Leave it to you two bumpkins. You'll screw it up. STRINGER #2: So like, how we gonna take care of the Gift? We're probably going to screw it up. I mean, YOU'RE probably going to screw it up! THE DEVIL: You really outta protect the Gift, you know... STRINGER #1: (thoughtfully) I guess we SHOULD come up with a way of protecting the Gift. THE DEVIL: (dangles a mess of STRINGS before their faces) Try my handy dandy MEMORY TOOLS! No muss, no fuss, why these are foolproof blessings to help you not only OBEY the Lord, but they will help you do even BETTER than He commanded you! STRINGER #1: (snatching the strings from the devil) Hey what a great idea! STRINGER #2: I don't get it. STRINGER #1: Here, take one of these (handing to Stringer #2) and tie it around the Gift -- yeah, make it nice and tight so it won't slip! PERFECT! STRINGER #2: (standing back to look at string) I STILL don't get it. STRINGER #1: See? The Lord said this Gift was about MEMORY. Now this STRING represents "REMEMBRANCE." Now when we look at this string, we'll remember that the Gift is about remembering! STRINGER #2: (nodding head, thinking it over) You know, you may have a point. Yeah, it sure helps toggle MY memory... THE DEVIL: (clapping hands) You two are GENIUSES! You are BRILLIANT! The Lord will be SO PLEASED with you guys! STRINGER #1: (starting EXIT up center aisle) Here tie another one around -- so we can remember that this Gift is about DELIGHT, like the Lord said. STRINGER #2: (EXITING, tying second string to Gift) Yeah, right! Okay, String #1 is for REMEMBRANCE, and String #2 is for DELIGHT. THE DEVIL: (following, smiling, laughing) Be CREATIVE! Come on, guys! What about a string for a SIGN! You can think up more, can't ya? STRINGERS #3 & #4: (begin coming slowly up aisle from back, as soon as Stringers #1 & #2 begin to exit -- Stringer #3 is carrying a big ball of yarn, delicately, with great reverence) STRINGER #3: (begins talking softly, as the Devil says line about "You can think up more, can't ya?" -- starts talking softly, is talking LOUDLY by the time the Devil finishes speaking) This is a great day, my son! Finally I am able to pass this Gift from the Lord to you. (Stringers #1-#4 should pass each other, Stringers #1 & #2 are quiet, but MIME talking, and continue to tie more strings to Golden Apple -- the Devil stops, watches #1 & #2 fade away, and then swings about to follow Stringers #3 & #4) THE DEVIL: I gotta tell ya, guys -- and hey, I'm being STRICTLY HONEST here, you know me -- but you guys are EVEN MORE BRILLIANT than your parents, and your grandparents, and your great grandparents! I truly consider it a blessing to be able to know you all so intimately! STRINGER #3: (arriving at front, holds up Ball of Yarn for all to admire) My son! This is the great Gift from our God. Isn't it beautiful? Isn't it glorious? STRINGER #4: (stares at Ball of Yarn with comical confusion, blinking) Um-um-er, ah, Dad? This is the Great Gift from God? STRINGER #3: (sternly) Be careful son, because this is a Gift of Great Seriousness. In fact, take a string from my pocket, please! Good! Now tie it around the Gift. (holds ball out for tying, Stringer #4 ties on a string, but is obviously annoyed with the effort) Yes, thank you, son, that is perfect! Now let's see -- please open the Book, my son... STRINGER #4: (sighs loudly, is greatly bored, and isn't appreciating ANY of this -- riffles through pages and gets WAY BACK to end of book, looks up last entry) Okay. This would be String #8,952. THE DEVIL: IS THAT ALL! You slackers! Lazybones! (looks very sternly at the both of them, then breaks into huge smile, claps happily) You guys are the BEST! STRINGER #3: Yes, String #8,952 represents the Great Seriousness we must take whenever talking about the Gift! THE DEVIL: (very proud, crossing arms on chest, beaming) Ahhh, String #8,952, the Great Seriousness -- not to be confused with String #1,227, the Great Gravity whenever THINKING about the Gift -- I'll tell ya, the best, really, truly the best, the best the best the best.... STRINGER #4: Dad, maybe Suzie outta take over the Gift -- you know, she's ALWAYS been more serious than me... STRINGER #3: (with great ceremony hefts the Ball up and sets it in Stringer #4's arms) Sorry, son. It's YOURS. (he looks strangely relieved to be free of the Gift, and makes great show of dusting off hands) And remember, it's a thing of DELIGHT! STRINGER #4: (having a difficult time holding both the Ball and the Book, is weighed down heavily by the Gift, and speaks in utter depression) Thanks dad . . . String #2, DELIGHT. Yeah. Thanks. I'm REAL delighted... STRINGER #3: (starting EXIT) You'll see son. There is great satisfaction in serving the Burden -- uh, er, GIFT! (looking up at the sky in fear) I mean, the GIFT!!! There is GREAT satisfaction in serving the GIFT! STRINGER #4: (EXITING, grimacing at Ball, muttering) I think String Number GAZILLION ought to be FOUR PEOPLE should lug the Gift! STRINGER #3: (looking back, maybe agreeing) Hang tough, son, hang tough. And remember: DELIGHT. STRINGER #4: (in agony) Remember: DELIGHT... THE DEVIL: (chortling, following them, dancing about merrily) What a Lord you serve! What a Lord you serve! STRINGER #3 & #4: (in unison) WHAT A LORD WE SERVE... (should almost be to the back of the aisle, and Stringers #5 - #8 begin their ENTRANCE) STRINGERS #5, #6, #7, #8: (start pushing HUGE BALL down aisle, like slaves, tormented, weary, HATING every step they take) PUUUUUSH!! (chanting, in rhythm) PUUUUUUSH!! THE DEVIL: (following Stringers #3 & #4, immediately switches to follow BIG BALL GROUP) Puuuuush! And remember: DELIIIIIIIIIGHT! STRINGERS #5-#8: (terrific show of toil and strain, and lots of PAIN) PPUUUUUUSH! PPUUUUUUUSH! THE DEVIL: (clapping in rhythm) What a Lord you serve! What a Lord you serve! STRINGERS #5-#8: (moaning) What a Lord we serve! What a Lord we serve! (they arrive at front, collapse away from HUGE BALL, exhausted, panting) STRINGER #5: Serve the gift. (gasp, gasp) Remember String #2 million five hundred thousand three hundred thirty-two: The Joy of the Ball makes me Peppy! STRINGER #6: (wiping face with handkerchief) No -- no... Wrong... (gasp, gasp) "The Joy of the Ball makes me Peppy" is #2 million five hundred thousand three hundred FORTY two... STRINGER #7: OH BIG DEAL! If I hear another quote from the Book of String Numbers my head is going to explode! (the others are shocked, they gape at Stringer #7) STRINGER #8: (producing string) Who has the book? We gotta add a new string! This one should be "No talk of Exploding Head after Pushing the Gift!" STRINGER #5: (producing Book, a MUCH BIGGER BOOK) That's a good one! Remember #2: DELIGHT! STRINGER #6: (flexing sore arms) And the next String should be: "The Gift Must be Moved with a FORKLIFT!" THE DEVIL: BRILLIANT! I thought your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great (takes DEEP breath) great-great-GREAT grandparents were GOOD, but you guys are the STRINGIEST OF THEM ALL! STRINGER #7: That's IT! I'm sick and tired of this. I'm sorry, but I don't take ANY delight in this. It's a big joke. This ball is HUGE. And it doesn't smell too good! STRINGER #8: Whoa, buddy, you just went and twanged String #9,205, "No Mention of the Smell of the Gift." STRINGER #5: Not to mention String #1 million five hundred and -- STRINGER #6: (interrupting, violently, pointing to Stringer #7) -- I agree with HIM! I'm sick and tired of it all! What kind of God would give us a present like THIS (stabbing a finger at HUGE BALL)... THE DEVIL: (sincerely, with love) I gotta admit, I've asked that question of myself, MANY times, and I think you all otta give it some serious consideration... STRINGER #8: You know the String Number about stoning -- you both deserve DEATH! STRINGER #5: Yeah, you both deserve death! STRINGER #6 & #7: (squaring off with their enemies over the HUGE BALL of String) Yeah? Huh? You two think you can take us? STRINGER #5 & #8: (looming angrily toward their enemies, clenching fists) The LORD is on OUR side! You Anti-Strings! THE LORD: (entering) STOP IT! All of you! (stunned silence, everyone backs away from the BALL, they all look guilty and can't meet the Lord's eyes) THE DEVIL: (after a long silence) Party pooper. THE LORD: What are you all doing? (looking at each one of them) Why are you fighting? (looks down and finally sees BALL) AND . . . WHAT . . . IS . . . THIS? STRINGER #5: Its the Gift, Lord. The precious Gift of Delight that You gave us, Lord. THE DEVIL: Yeah, who in the world does He think He is, anyway? You guys have kept it safe all these years, not Him! You've memorized EVERY string, and you've kept the strings, and honored them! STRINGER #8: It belongs to US, Lord! And I wish you'd move away from the strings, Lord. You're making me nervous... THE LORD: (kneels at BALL, readies His hands to rip open the BALL) This . . . is . . . NOT . . . the . . . Gift . . . that I gave unto you. THE DEVIL: (excited, angry) Get Him! Stop Him! He's going to hurt the Strings! STRINGER #5 & #8 & DEVIL: (chaotic, speaking at once) Cut it out! Leave it alone, Lord! Back away from the Ball! Stop it, I'm serious, get away! (they loom threateningly over the Lord) THE LORD: (raises His hands, immediate silence, all cut off at once, He looks about at them, first the Stringers, and finally at the Devil -- He snaps His fingers at the Devil who snarls but moves quickly away to watch from a distance) I made a Gift for you, because I love you. I did NOT create YOU so that you would have to SERVE this gift. I gave you a GIFT, not a burden. (He again turns to BALL and rips it open -- immediately all present grab their noses, groaning because of the stink, even the Lord turns His head aside in revulsion) (looks at the Stringers) What in the WORLD were you thinking? (with reluctance He looks inside the BALL and reaches in His hand) (He comes up with Golden Apple, holds it high for all to see -- the Stringers gasp, and smile at the dazzling Gift) THIS IS WHAT I GAVE YOU. (they gasp again and stare at the Golden Apple with adoring eyes) The choice is yours, My children. You can either accept this Gift that I prepared for you, a Gift which is a symbol of my Grace, My Rest -- or you can accept THIS (looking with disgust at Huge Ball of String) -- a worthless collection of stinking strings, your man-made rules... THE DEVIL: (moving up close behind Stringers #5 & #8) THINK of all your hard work! THINK of how you worked to memorize all the strings! THINK what a waste your lives will be if you give up your strings now! STRINGER #5: (moving to HUGE BALL, touching it lovingly) String #1, for Remembrance. STRINGER #8: (joining Stringer #5, loving taking hold of HUGE BALL) String #2, DELIGHT... (they sadly pick up HUGE BALL and struggle away, EXITING) THE DEVIL: (following, snickering) SUCKER! THE LORD: (offers the Golden Apple to Stringer #6) This Gift has always existed and will always exist, and it is always for you, from Me, with love... STRINGER #6: (sadly, turning away) I'm sorry Lord. I've had enough with gifts. I think I want to do this life my own way, okay... (slowly walks away) THE LORD: (turning to Stringer #7) This is your gift, My child, but I will not force you to take it, in the same way I will not force you to accept My Grace... STRINGER #7: (smiling hugely) YES! I accept ALL your Gifts, Lord, ALL of them! (takes the Golden Apple) THE LORD: (places arm about Stringer #7, and they begin EXIT) As you accept My Gifts, My child, I can give you more! STRINGER #7: (beaming) YES, Lord, ANYTHING You give me is good! Bring on the gifts, Lord!

Light, Truth, Love

 

A dramatic reading for one voice."

When the Death Angel saw what was to come, he asked God to send him once again to earth. 'Lord, I'll take them out and you can begin again. there is not one righteous man among them. Not even one.' God called Isaiah and placed refining fire on his lips. God said, 'Tell My people I will send the Light.' And the heavens wondered for God had already sent the moon, the sun and the stars. What good is light in all that darkness? The Death Angel spoke again, 'It is time to move against the evil on the earth. All heaven recoils at the things they speak against You and the things they do against each other.' God spoke to Isaiah, 'Tell My people I will send the Truth.' The heavens wondered for God had already given the Law and the Scripture. What good was truth to a people of lies? The Death Angel spoke again, 'This cannot continue. They have become a people of hatred and violence. Send me to bring vengence and end their evil deeds in the only way they can understand. And the heavens wondered for instead of sending the Death Angel, God came as the Light. And we met His Light with our darkness. And we piled our lies against His truth. And we fought His Love with our angry violence. And three days later He rose again conquering death and sin and the grave. He brought us His beauty for our ashes. He offers Himself as the salve for our healing. And the darkness cannot overcome Him.

Bee Kind

An easy skit for four children. Props:

• Table
• 3 Chairs
• Checker game
• Popcorn bowl

  Characters:

• Child 1
• Child 2
• Child 3
• Bee Kind

  Costume: Bee costume can be a sheet of poster paper with a cutout for the child's face. Paint or color the posterboard to look like a bumble bee. Setting: Child 1 & 2 are playing checkers at a table with 2 chairs. A 3rd chair is nearby but not pulled to the table. A bowl of (can be pretend) popcorn is on the table. Child 3 is playing alone across the stage from the table. Child 1 (points to child 3) What's she doing here? Child 2 My mom s watching her. Child 1 Well, I hope she doesn t want to play with us. Only two people can play this game. Child 2 Shh, here she comes Child 3 (walks to the table and watches) Can I play? Child 1 (rudely) No! This is a game for two people only Child 3 Is it ok if I watch Child 1 I guess so Child 3 Can I have some popcorn? Child 1 It's for us but I guess you can have a few pieces Child 2 (passes the popcorn bowl to child 3) Here have some Child 3 (reaches for the bowl and bumps the checker board) Oh! I'm sorry! Child 1 Now look what you ve done! You ruined our game! Child 3 (goes back to the side, crying) Child 1 (putting checkers back on the board) I knew she'd mess something up. Bee Kind (comes on stage and comforts child 3) Child 3 (closes her eyes as if she were sleeping) Child 1 (pointing to Bee) What is that? Child 2 Good question! Hey, you in the bee suit. Who are you and what are you doing in my room? Child 1 & 2 walk over to stand by Bee Kind. Bee Kind - I came to make Jesus feel better. Child 2 - Jesus? That's not Jesus. Jesus is in heaven. Bee Kind - The Bible says that if we do something unkind to another person, we did it to Jesus. You were unkind to her so Jesus' feelings are hurt. Child 1 - Oh no. Is Jesus mad at us? What can we do? Bee Kind - The Bible also says that if we do something kind for another person, we did it to Jesus. Does that give you any ideas? Child 2 - I wish we could just start the whole thing again. Bee Kind - Sounds like time for a Bee Kind Rewind. Children, reverse your engines. Child 1 & 2 (walk backwards to the table and sit down. They return the checker board and popcorn to their places) Child 3 (wakes up, yawns, stretches and looks at the table) Child 1 (points to child 3) What's she doing here? Child 2 My mom's watching her. Child 3 (walks to the table) Can I play? Child 1 Only 2 can play checkers at a time but you can watch us finish this game and then you can play the winner. Child 2 There's another chair right over there. Pull it to the table. Child 1 And have some popcorn, it s really good. Bee Kind - (walks to center stage) Just like the Bible says, Be kind to each other , Ephesians 4:32.

 

Do This To Remember

Scene I

Tom, Mike and Steve are standing together near a table. There is a bucket or other container on the table big enough for the boombox to fit in. If you do not have a boombox, use a box of similar shape. Bob (walks in carrying boombox): Hi everyone! I've got this really great new boombox. Tom: That is nice. It has a radio, a cd player and a cassette player.. Mike: My uncle has one just like it. The speakers are L.O.U.D. loud! Steve: Bring it when we go to the lake tomorrow. I'll bring my cd's (Bob sets the boombox on the edge of the bucket.) Steve: Hey, watch out! There's water in that. Bob: So? Mike: Don't you know that water and boomboxes don't mix? Tom: That's right. Water makes boomboxes really go boom! (Bob picks up the boombox.) Mike: Let's finish planning the trip to the lake. Steve's bringing the cd's, Bob's bringing the boombox. Who has an ice chest? Tom: I can borrow Dad's and Mom has plenty of ice ready to go. Mike: How big is it? Bob (sets the boombox back on the edge of the bucket and spreads his hands out to show how big an ice chest is) : It's about this big. Don't you remember. We borrowed it before. Steve: Bob, you are doing it again! That boombox will not last long if you don't take care of it. (Bob picks up the boombox.) Mike: We'll all bring our own cold drinks and sandwiches. Does anyone have a volleyball net? (Bob sets the boombox back on the bucket and pretends to be serving a volleyball) Alright! Volleyball! Steve: (Grabs the boombox) There won't be any music if we can't get Bob to remember to keep this thing away from the water. Tom: Right! Today there's just one little bucket. Tomorrow there will be a whole lake he could forget to keep it out of! Mike: Bob, didn't you read the instructions that came with this? Bob: Instructions? Mike: Yes, instructions. The little book that the people who made this boombox put with it to be sure someone did not ruin it by putting it in water. Bob: I looked at the book but it was just full of rules so I through it away. I hate rules. Steve: Some rules are necessary. For example, the one that says electronic things and water do not mix. The electronic things will lose every time! Tom: How about a sign? Since Bob threw the book away, we could stick a sign to the boombox with the rules on it. Mike: Better make it a bright red sign so Bob can remember to read it! Bob: Now you are making me mad. It's my boombox. Steve: You are right Bob, it is your boombox. We don't want to make you mad, we just want to keep you from being sorry because something you did ruined it. Bob: O.K. I guess you are right. I would feel bad if I could not use it anymore. I guess I do need that sign to help me remember. Scene II   Mike and Steve are standing by the table. Bob and Tom walk in from the side. Bob: Hi! What's going on? Mike: Not so loud, Bob. My head is killing me. Steve: Mike's got a hangover from Paul's party last night. Tom: I've heard Paul's parties are wild. Did you have a good time? Mike: I guess so, I don't remember all of it. I must have had a great time. Paul says that you can always tell a great party because the next morning your head hurts too bad to get out of bed. Bob: Paul says a lot of junk. Mike remember how you made the sign for my boombox so I wouldn't take chances with it? Mike: Yeah, I remember. I almost ruined it by not taking care of it. Bob: I think that hangover is your reminder! The Pastor says that the Bible is our instruction book for our bodies and it says that we should not walk in drunkeness^1. Mike: Rules! Rules! Rules! You sound like somebody's mother! Steve: Mike, I think you should listen to Bob. What he is saying makes sense. God made our bodies and He gave us an instruction book for how to take care of them. Tom: Mike, do I need to make a red sign to put on your body? Mike: No, Tom. I think I can remember without wearing a red sign! Thanks. I guess I needed that. Scene III   Set up a Bible Study with Steve, Mike, Tom and Bob in chairs. Jim (the leader) opens his Bible. Jim: God made people. He knows how our bodies work. He knows what will hurt us and what will help us. Ever since He made us, He has been trying to get us to listen to Him about this. Tom: Adam and Eve did not listen for very long. Jim: After Adam and Eve broke their agreement with God. God made another agreement. The rules for that agreement are called The Ten Commandments. Steve: People sure broke that agreement! Jim: That's right. Can anyone think of reminders God gave people to help them remember to live by the agreement? Mike: They had to make sacrifices for breaking the rules. Was that one? Jim: Yes, Mike, the sacrifices helped remind people that they should be living by God's rules instead of making up their own rules. How well did the people remember those rules? Bob: They did not do very good. They broke everyone of them again and again. Jim: Right, Bob. It's very hard for people to realize that God's way is better than their way. Does anyone know what God did to help us with this? Tom: Is that why Jesus came? Jim: Yes, Jesus came to be the last sacrifice that would ever be needed. He brought a new agreement between God and people. The rule for our behavior is very simple to remember. Does anyone know what it is? Steve: ``We're supposed to love God with all our heart, soul, body and strength and we're supposed to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves.'' Jim: This agreement is easier for us to remember and keep because we can have the Holy Spirit living in us to help us live by God's rules. All we have to do is take God up on the offer he has made us. Bob: I know that offer. ``For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.'' Jim: Just before Jesus went to the cross, He ate the Passover meal with His disciples. Does anyone remember what He told them about that meal? Tom: He said that they should remember Him when they ate it. Dad says that is why we pray when we eat together. So that we will remember what Jesus did. Jim: What Jesus did is the most important event in the entire history of the world. He gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice for us. That means that if we accept His sacrifice all of our sins are forgiven. Steve: Yes, and it also helps me to remember to depend on the Holy Spirit to help me live by God's rules. Jim: Very good, Steve. It's really important for us to depend on that. It can be very hard to remember God's rules for His people, especially when our friends are breaking them. God said that if we hide His Words in our hearts, it will help us remember. Let's go to work on today's Bible verse.

 The Least Of My Brothers 
Characters:
Mary - Program director.
Jan - Volunteer
Jesus - See left stage below for a description
Susan - Volunteer
Andy - Volunteer

Left stage is set for a city street in winter. Jesus is sitting on a bench. He is wrapped in sheets similar to robes. His face is shadowed by the head covering so that he appears to be a homeless man. The scene should suggest that it is very cold - use something to suggest snow if possible. Jesus shivers from time to time.

Right stage is set for the inside of a church or mission. There is a table with bag lunches and foam cups of cocoa. Volunteers are filling the bags and preparing to distribute them to the hungry.

The play opens with the focus on right stage.

Mary: (fills a box with lunch bags and foam cups as she speaks) : Thank you all for volunteering. Life on the streets is never easy. But it is especially hard during the holidays. Others are enjoying warm homes, good food and family and friends. It is very sad to be cold, hungry and alone at this time.

Andy: What are we supposed to do?

Mary: You have each been assigned a section of the street. Just walk through your area looking for anyone who appears to be cold or hungry or thirsty. Smile and offer them a lunch bag and a cup of cocoa.

Susan: Be sure to say, "Jesus loves you"

Mary: Thank you, Susan. It is very important to share Jesus' love with everyone you meet.

Andy: Like this, "Merry Christmas and remember that Jesus loves you."

Mary: Yes, Andy, exactly like that. Remember to smile at everyone and treat each person with respect.

Jan: My Dad says that they are all drunks and druggies. Is that true?

Susan: You can't say that, Jan. That's unkind and untrue.

Mary: It is true that problems with drugs and alcohol are part of the problem. There are many reasons why people are on the street. We know that Jesus is the One who is the answer to all of the problems.

Jan: My Dad says it is foolish to spend Christmas day handing out food to people who could do better if they tried.

Mary: What do you think, Jan?

Jan: I really don't know.

Susan: If you think this is a waste of time, why did you come?

Jan: Jesus said we should help people. It is His birthday so here I am.

Mary: That's good enough. Now, let's all put on our jackets, take a box or bag of lunches and be on our way.

Mary and the volunteers put on their coats. Jan puts on her scarf. They pick up the lunches and cups. Jan walks toward Jesus. The others go off stage. Focus turns to left stage.

Jan (approaching Jesus): Hello, are you hungry? (holds out a lunch bag) Would you like something to eat?

Jesus: Yes. (takes the bag) Thank you.

Jan: Are you thirsty? (holds out a cup of cocoa) Would you like some hot cocoa?

Jesus: (takes the cup) Yes, thank you very much.

Jan: Well, goodbye. Oh, I almost forgot, Jesus loves you.

Jesus: Thank you for remembering. Try not to forget that.

Jan turns to leave, walks a step or two and then turns back.

Jan: Are you cold?

Jesus: Yes, a little.

Jan: (sets down the lunches and takes off her coat and scarf and drapes them around Jesus) Here you can have these. I have more.

Jesus: Thank you. I'm much warmer now.

Jan begins to leave again and then turns around.

Jan: This is not right. There should be a place where everyone is warm and has enough to eat. There should be a place where everyone is loved and welcome.

Jesus: I come from a place like that.

Jan: Why did you leave?

Jesus: My Father sent me.

Jan: Why?

Jesus: To find a place where I can live.

Jan: There's an apartment for rent just down the street. I saw the sign.

Jesus: Not that kind of a place I'm here looking for hearts which will receive Me. Hearts where I can dwell.

Jan: (falls to her knees at Jesus' feet) I know Who You are. Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Jesus: (Wraps her coat and scarf back around her and then places His hand on her head) Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethern, you did it to Me.

Jesus places a crown on her head, helps her to stand, places a ring on her finger, puts an arm around her and walks off stage with her.

Reader: The Lord tells us by the mouth of the prophet, Isaiah, The kind of fasting that I want is this: remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"

Based on these scriptures: Isaiah 58:6-9 and Matthew 25:34-40