Christmas HOPE Skit

Scene 1- Gramma and kids getting ready for bed

Gramma- “Alright, let’s settle down for a story now. I can tell one story and then it’s time for bed. What would you like?”

Judah- “Oh, oh, Gramma, I want to hear the Christmas story! It’s going to be Christmas soon! I can’t wait!”

Other kids- “Yes, yes, we are so excited for Christmas!”

Gramma – (laughing) “Ok, well everyone be quiet so I can remember how Luke tells it”…

- Luke 2: 1-3 “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David”…

Judah- “No, no, no. We want you to use your imagination, not tell us from memory! Please?”

Other kids- “Please, Gramma?”

Gramma- (sighing and contemplative) “Ok, ok. I will do my best. Ok, here goes.”

All Kids- “Yay!”

Scene 2 - Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem

Joseph- “Is there anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable, Mary? I feel so helpless just walking beside you and seeing you in pain!”

Mary- “You are doing everything you can, Joseph! It’s just this stupid census and having to travel right now of all times. Every movement of the donkey hurts, I keep getting these shooting pains down my back and legs, and my belly keeps tightening, making it hard to breathe! I am so exhausted! If it weren’t for the angel’s words telling me to not be afraid because I would be having God’s holy child growing inside of me, I don’t know how I could have made it this far!”

Joseph- “I’m just so thankful that the angel came to me to say the same things about not being afraid and that you would be having a son conceived by the Holy Spirit! Remembering that promise is what keeps me putting one foot in front of the other. It’s why I can trust that God has a plan for this journey and that the timing and place of your delivery will all work out.”

Traveler 1 limping while passing as Mary leans on Joseph

“Having a baby soon, huh? I wish I could offer some help, but I’m just not able to do much these days, with my bum leg and all.”

Joseph – “That must make your travels extra difficult.”

Traveler 1- “Yes, it’s much more than just a broken leg, though. You see, I was a shepherd for most of my life, but because of my accident, I just couldn’t keep up with the sheep anymore. Then, my wife left me with our kids because I couldn’t face each day without a drink to numb the pain. Now, all I can think about is finding my next drink. Speaking of that, do you happen to have a spare bottle?”

Joseph- “I’m sorry, but my wife and I don’t drink, but we do know that God is coming to save us very soon. He came to us personally to let us know that the Messiah is going to be born!”

Mary- “Yes, we encourage you to trust in God even though you are facing such challenges. It’s what we are learning to do as well!”

Traveler 1- “Thanks, folks. That is sweet of you. I will think on it some more.” Leaves limping away.

Mary- (closing eyes while saying) “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

Joseph- “You’ve said that a few times on our trip so far. I seem to remember you telling me that that is what you said to the angel after he told you that you were to carry God’s Son.

Mary- “Good memory. Yes, that’s right. When I went to visit my Aunt Elizabeth, she encouraged me to come up with a mantra to help me through my labor pains- when they come for real- so I thought that would be helpful for me to focus on and remember.”

Joseph- “Well, keep it up. I think it’s helpful for me too. I’ve been so worried about where we will sleep tonight, if we will sleep, and how I am going to help you deliver the baby, that I need to take a big breath and just trust in God!”

Mary- (breathing deep) “That’s what I need right now, to take some deep slow breaths!”

Traveler 2- “Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re going to have a baby soon.”

Joseph- “Yes, very soon!”

Traveler 2- “I’ve always wanted a man who would be there for me when I had my babies. I wanted a man to make me happy, but unfortunately, it hasn’t happened for me yet. Now, I have 4 mouths to feed and even my parents don’t seem to care about my situation. Unfortunately, I’m on my own.”

Mary- “I can’t imagine being on my own right now! Labor is truly not for the faint of heart, let alone raising children alone!”

Joseph- “Mary and I were just talking about how we couldn‘t make it through these tough times with the census and Mary being 9 months pregnant, without holding onto the promises of God. He told us that he is sending His Son to save us, and we have to just trust Him.”

Traveler 2- “I sure hope it is soon because I don’t know where we will even spend the night tonight! We must hurry before it gets too dark. Safe travels!” (leaves quickly)

Mary- “Poor Lady…”

(Chants to self) “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

Joseph- “Mary, I’m beginning to wonder if some of our struggles here are God’s way of helping others through our own trials. It seems that so many travelers are experiencing great challenges as well!”

Mary- “Yes, I think it also encourages us to remember where our strength comes from, too.”

(leans over to rest on Joseph’s shoulder)

Traveler 3- “Hello, folks! Sorry to break up an intimate moment, but I’m wondering if by chance you have family you will be staying with tonight, and if they could spare an extra room for my wife and I?”

Joseph- “I wish we did, but my family has such a humble home with so many relatives that even we do not have a place to stay!”

Traveler 3- “I understand. I’m just getting desperate because I had a falling out with my dad and brother who are fishermen by trade. Because of that, they kicked me out and I haven’t been able to get another job anywhere near the Sea of Galilee since. Apparently, my brother has smeared my name to all the fishermen. I have no idea what to do now!”

Joseph-“Wow! That is tough! We have had a similar challenge, too. You see, some of our friends and family started telling lies about Mary here when she became pregnant before we were married. They almost convinced me to end our engagement, but God sent an angel to let me know that her child was actually God’s Son, whom God was sending to save us from our sin! I know this sounds crazy! I mean, I was in shock and unbelief myself, but when an angel came to me as well as Mary, I knew that I had to trust God’s promise of the Messiah. In fact, this journey has only helped me grow in my faith. As my wife keeps reminding me…

Mary and Joseph and Gramma and kids together- “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”

Mary- “Thankfully, once Joseph and I worked things out together, we went to our family and friends to explain. We actually told them that we forgave them, and amazingly, most of them believed us. We have much better relationships with them now!”

(Joseph nods head in agreement.)

Traveler 3- “Yeah, I know I said some stupid things and got too hot headed with my dad over dumb stuff like which side of the boat to cast our nets. I’m not sure how I can forgive my brother for smearing my name all over Galilee, but your story is making me wonder if there is hope for me to go back to them and get my job back. I mean, what have I got to lose?”

Say, look, Bethlehem is finally in sight! Good luck on the baby! I’ve got a lot of things to repair!” (hurriedly leaves)

Mary- “Please stop a moment!” (Pauses to stretch and feels belly)

Joseph- “God is obviously guiding our whole journey. This is His Son- Jesus. (Touches belly) He will strengthen you and make it happen just as He promised.”

Mary- “I know! I just want to get to a room and have this baby soon!”

Long pause

Scene 3- Kids and Gramma in bedroom

Kid- “Wait, that is not how the story ends?!!!”

Gramma- (laughing) “I know, I know. I am just trying to remember exactly how Luke wrote the next part. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”

Judah- “Gramma, Your imagination. Remember? I want to know how they reacted when they couldn’t find a room. Did they still trust God?”

Gramma- “Oh, yes, yes, they did. Ok, let me think. Here is how it might have happened.”

Scene 4- Shepherds come to visit Mary and Joseph and baby at stable

Mary- “I can’t believe he’s here! It all went so fast, and he is so perfect and sweet and content all wrapped up and sleeping there in the manger!”

Joseph- “I just knew that even when there was no room for us, God would still provide. Even though this isn’t exactly how I pictured it working out, everything did turn out as the angel told us.”

Shepherd 1- “I found them! (breathing hard) This is the place! Wow! What a night!”

Shepherd 2- “Seriously?!! Oh my! Sorry to interrupt your special family time, but this is the sign the angel told us about! He’s here in the manger, just as he said!!!”

Shepherd 1- “So, this is the Savior of the world, the one who will bring peace like the angels said!”

Joseph (in disbelief) “How did you all find us? We didn’t even know where we were going to be staying until a short while ago!”

Shepherd 2- “You’re not going to believe this, but an angel came to us while we were out in the fields tending our sheep.

Shepherd 1- “We were SO afraid!”

Joseph- “I bet!”

Shepherd 2- “This is such huge news! We’ve got to go and tell everyone in Bethlehem!”

Shepherd 1- “Yeh, they are not going to believe us, but I don’t care! This is too exciting!”

Joseph- “If for some reason we thought this was all a coincidence, these shepherds just confirmed it all!”

Mary – “I am just so amazed at everything, too, and I finally feel like I can ponder it all in my heart.”

Scene 5- Gramma and Kids back in bedroom

Kid- “Oh, oh oh! And then, the shepherds went into town and told that one shepherd traveler with the bad leg about them seeing the angels and baby Jesus and everything, and then they invited him to come and work for them, right?”

Gramma- “Ha, ha, we have a little storyteller here! I can tell you were listening very well! I’m sure many people were encouraged by the Good News of Jesus birth that day. There is much more to the story, though, but that will have to be for another night.”

Kids- “Oh, Gramma, One more story… Plllllease!”

Gramma- “Next time you spend the night. (gets up to leave). I have to think about how to imagine it for you. Goodnight.”

Kids- “Goodnight, Gramma!”

Christmas HOPE Skit

Summit Love Your City Market Food & HOPE Closet