What If It Were Today?

Christmas Program 2012

Center stage is set as stable. Donkey, hen, mice, sheep are all in place & quietly “sleeping.” Lights are down. Spot on solo.

SOLO (or duet) “God Is With Us” (Sue Morgan)

Animals awake.

Hen: Wake up everybody! Wake up! We’ve got a busy day ahead of us! It’s time to get moving this morning! (she starts sweeping, gently shaking the animals as she cleans around them humming as she goes “What if it were today”)

Donkey: Can’t a donkey get some sleep around here? The sun is barely up and you’re already clucking in my ear.

Hen: Oh, quit being a grouch. (to the mice) OK little mice. It’s time to get up and make your bed!

Mice: Yes, ma’am, Mother Hen.

Hen: Wake up, sheep… you need to get ready this morning…the shepherd will be here soon!

Sheep 1: Huh? What did you say?

Sheep 2: What did she say to do?

Sheep 3: I didn’t hear anything…

Sheep 4: {YAWN}

Sheep 1: I don’t know about you… but we should probably get up and get ready ‘cause the shepherd will be coming soon.

Sheep 2: That’s right…good idea!

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Sheep 3: Yeah, that’s a good idea!

Sheep 4: Totally!

Sheep 1: Mother Hen, we can’t talk right now. We have to get up and get ready…the shepherd will be coming soon.

Sheep 2: Yeah…Gotta get ready.

Sheep 3: Yeah. .. the shepherd will be coming soon.

Sheep 4: Like…soon, soon!

(dog enters)

Hen: Wait just a minute you dirty dog! You can’t come in here- I just swept the floor!

Dog: (droopy) I’m sorry… guess I’ll find somewhere else to take a nap.

Donkey: A nap? What are you talking about taking a nap for? Apparently it’s morning & apparently that means we have to be waking up! And you’re wanting to take a nap? What’s wrong with you?

Dog: I was up all night looking for some lost sheep.

Sheep 1: Lost sheep?

Sheep 2: Where?

Sheep 3: Who’s lost?

Sheep 4: I’m not lost!

Sheep 3: Me neither!

Sheep 2: Yeah, me neither!

Sheep 1: I’ve never been lost a day in my life!

Sheep 2: Me neither!

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Sheep 3: Yeah, me neither!

Sheep 4: Tru ‘dat!

Sheep 1: Well…except for that one time…

Sheep 2: Oh, yeah…that one time…

Sheep 3: Yeah…I forgot about that…

Sheep 4: How could we forget?

Sheep 1: I think we got lost last night…

Sheep 2,3,4: Oops…

Dog: That’s what I was saying… some of the sheep got lost last night and I spent half the night looking for them! Now I’m worn out and really wish I could find a place to rest a bit before I have to head back out in the fields.

Hen: Well, I guess you can curl up here in the corner. Just be sure to wipe your feet before you walk across my clean floor. Lay down right here, I will just clean around you. You sheep need to go ahead and clear out- I’ve got things to do!

Donkey: What’s all the fuss about anyway? Why are you in such an all-fire hurry to get us all up and moving this morning?

Hen: I’m not really sure…but I have a feeling that today is going to be a very special day! There’s something in the air…maybe today is the day that the Christ will come!

Hen singing “What If It Were Today” (revised)

The Christ is coming to earth somedayWhat if it were today?

Coming in power and love to reignWhat if it were today?

Coming to claim His chosen bride

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All the redeemed and purifiedOver this whole earth scattered wide

What if it were today?

(other animals join on chorus)

Glory, glory!Joy to my heart twill bring

Glory, glory!When we shall crown Him king!

Glory, glory!Haste to prepare the way

Glory, glory!The Christ will come someday!

(Lights down on stable)

(lights up on shepherd- piano side)

Shepherd’s Wife: (entering w/ to do list) Wake up! Are you still sleeping? The sun has been up for almost 3 minutes already! We are burning daylight! There’s a whole list of things to be done and they’re not going to do themselves. There are dishes to be washed and laundry to be done… the floors need to be swept and mopped… cobwebs knocked down from the ceiling…trash taken out…animals fed and watered…

Shepherd: (wearily interrupting) I’ll take care of the animals… {sigh}… just give me a minute to get moving. I was up half the night looking for a lost sheep…One of them just wandered off

SW: Well, don’t take too long. There’s too much to be done today. Have you seen all the travelers coming into town? That census has really made a mess of things. All those people will need a place to stay, so after you finish with the sheep, come back and help me prepare the back room for extra guests this evening.

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SH: Well, I’ll be able to come back and help around the house for a little while today but I will have to spend the evening in the fields with the sheep. I can’t leave those dumb animals for a minute! Yesterday one of them wandered off and was about to walk off the cliff…and three others were about to follow! Right over the edge! Never a moments rest when you’re a shepherd… (exits mumbling)

SW: (to self) Well life isn’t exactly a piece of cake for me either! There’s always more work that needs doing…{sigh}… Maybe one day it will be done.

SW singing “What If It Were Today-vs 2” (revised)

All of my working will then be o’reO that it were today!

Sorrow and sighing shall be no moreO that it were today!

Then will my home be beautifiedThen all my work is justified?

Then Christ will deem me purifiedWhat if it were today?

(becoming more dramatic)

Glory, glory!Joy to my heart twill bring

Glory, glory!When we shall crown Him king!

Glory, glory!Haste to prepare the way

Glory, glory!The Christ will come someday!

(Lights down on stage left)

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Narrator 1: “And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the City of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child.  

(Mary & Joseph enter from back and “travel” down center aisle. When they reach half-way they begin speaking)

Joseph: Mary, we’ve been traveling all day… are you alright? Do you need to stop and rest?

Mary: Yes, let’s rest for just a minute. But then we should probably keep going… I have a feeling our Baby is coming today!

(Travelers enter from the back)

Traveler Girl: (very whiny) Mom…are we there yet?

Traveler Mother: (exasperated) Not yet… we still have a ways to go.

Traveler Boy: (whiny) But we’ve been traveling FOREVER!

Traveler Mother: I know. And if your father didn’t have to keep stopping to wash his hands and pray over every tiny thing we might would have been there by now. (shoots a look at husband)

Traveler Father: (piously reading from a scroll) The Law says: “ Whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister by burning up an offering to the Lord, they must wash with water so that they will not die.  They must wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this is to be a permanent

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statute for them, for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations.”

TB: But I thought that law was just for the priests.

TM: Don’t talk back to your father. Just keep walking.

TG: (whiny) But I’m tired!

TM: Hurry up~ stop dragging your feet. We want to make sure we get to Bethlehem before all the rooms fill up!

(Travelers push past M & J)

TB: Hey Dad, do you think those people need help? That lady looked awful tired…

TG: Ugh! Look at their clothes! How dirty and ragged!

TM: Don’t talk to them and certainly don’t touch them. They are most likely unclean! Then we would have to stop and wash our hands again so we all don’t have to miss worship at the synagogue tomorrow.

TF: The Law says: “If someone touches anything unclean, whether human uncleanness, an unclean animal, or any unclean, detestable creature, and eats meat from the LORD’s fellowship sacrifice, that person must be cut off from his people.”

TG: (whiny again) How much farther?

TM: I know what will take our minds off our troubles: let’s sing!

(TM & TF begin an operatic version of “What If It Were Today- Vs 3”

Faithful and true would He find us hereIf He should come today

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We are the righteous with nothing to fearIf He should come today

Our good deeds here they do multiplyWe’re better than some it can’t be deniedThe Christ will come and will be our guide

What if it were today

(children join)Glory, glory

Joy to my heart twill bringGlory, glory

When we shall crown Him KingGlory, glory

Haste to prepare the wayGlory, glory

The Christ will come someday!

(Lights down everywhere; Travelers settle into inn scene- organ side; M& J settle into manger scene- center)

Narrator 2: And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

(Lights up on manger scene: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, animals- minus sheep- gather around)

Donkey: HEY! What’s that Baby doing in my feeding trough?

Hen: Oh, hush, you old grouch! The Baby is sleeping…

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Donkey: (grumbling) How in the world am I supposed to get my supper if there’s a baby in my feeding trough…seems like somebody should have asked me before borrowing my stuff…

Hen: Stop being such a… such a… a… DONKEY! The Baby needed a place to sleep!

Mice: He could have our bed! It’s really soft and warm!

Dog: I wouldn’t mind Him using my bed either…but it’s probably too dirty.

Donkey: Backoff! He’s already using my manger, so just leave Him alone! Besides…He’s sleeping…

Hen: That’s really sweet of all of you, but I think this manger is just about perfect. Y’all wanna come see Him?

Mice: Oh, could we? That would be awesome! (mice gather around the manger)

Hen: Isn’t He adorable? I’m so glad I cleaned out the manger and put fresh hay in it this morning… Dog, do you wanna come see the Baby?

Dog: I better not…I’m really dirty. I wouldn’t want to mess anything up.

Hen: Nonsense…

Mary: Look, Joseph! A dog! Doesn’t he look like a good old friend? (calling out) Here, doggy! Come here to me! (Dog moves closer to the manger) Come here and sit by me. Our Baby is going to need a good protector like you. I’m so glad God brought you to us…and our very special Child.

Mice sing first verse…other animals join…

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What Child Is This?

What Child is this who, laid to restOn Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him praise,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such lowly state,Where dog and mice are feeding?

Come, have no fear, God’s son is hereHis love all loves exceeding

This, this is Christ the King,Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,All tongues and peoples own Him;The King of kings salvation brings,

Let every heart enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,The virgin sings her lullaby.Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

(Lights down on manger scene)

(Lights up on Traveler’s- organ side)

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Traveler Son: What’s all that noise coming from the barn?

Traveler Mom: It doesn’t matter…what DOES matter is that we got the last available room in Bethlehem and WE do not have to sleep in a barn!

Traveler Daughter: But mom…this bed is lumpy and only has three pillows!

TS: Can I go out to the barn and see the animals?

Traveler Father: The Law states: All animals that have hooves but do not have a divided hoof and do not chew the cud are unclean for you. Whoever touches them becomes unclean. All the four-footed animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, and anyone who carries their carcasses must wash his clothes and will be unclean until evening. They are unclean for you. “These creatures that swarm on the ground are unclean for you: the weasel, the mouse, any kind of large lizard, the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. These are unclean for you among all the swarming creatures. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean until evening. Do not become contaminated by any creature that swarms; do not become unclean or defiled by them.  For I am Yahweh your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. 

TS: So is that a “No” ?

TM: Stop worrying about the animals and help me get our bags unpacked.

TD: When are we going to eat? I’m starving!

TM: We will go out soon and see if any of the shops are still open…

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TD: But I don’t have anything to wear! All my good clothes are wrinkled!

TM: I know what will take our minds off our troubles: let’s sing!

All: NO!!!

(Lights down on travelers)

Narrator:  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(lights up on shepherd- piano side)

Shepherd’s Wife: Oh my goodness! What is all that racket coming from the barn?! Something’s causing quite a stir out there! If I wasn’t up to my elbows in my baking I would go out there and see what the fuss is all about. I’ll have to remember to get my husband to check on it when he gets back from the fields. {sigh} He sure has been gone a long time… I was hoping he would be home early so he could help me move some furniture. I hope he hasn’t just been taking a nap out there… with all this work to be done? If I can’t take a break neither can he! {sigh} He probably had to chase down those flighty sheep again… I don’t know why those dumb sheep can’t just do what they’re told once in a while!

Shepherd: (bursting in the door, out of breath and excited) Honey! You’ll never guess what just happened!!!!

SW: (interrupting) Well, it’s about time you got home! I thought I told you that I needed you home earlier to help with the housework…

SH: But you’ll never believe what just happened out in the field!

SW: I need you to move the table about 2 feet to the right so I have more room for all this baking…then I need you to take out the trash and…

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SH: (grab wife’s shoulders and force her attention) Stop being so busy and just listen for a minute! This is important! (wife stops working and listens)

SH: (continuing) I was out in the field keeping watch over my flock of sheep…when all of a sudden an angel of the LORD stood before me and the glory of the LORD shined all around me! It was terrifying! Then the angel said to me: “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find the baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a manger.”

SW: Oh my goodness! I can’t believe this!

SH: Wait! There’s more! Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying: GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! PEACE ON EARTH! GOOD WILL TO MEN! After the angels left and went back to heaven, the guys and I just stood there… frozen… then it hit us! We have to go back to Bethlehem and see this amazing thing that the LORD God of Heaven has told us about tonight! I ran all the way here to tell you about it!

SW: That is so amazing! To think that the Son of God has been born tonight… He is lying in a manger, you say?

SH: That’s what the angel said…why?

SW: Well, earlier today there was a pretty big commotion out in the barn…I meant to go check on it but I was too busy…

SH: Let’s go see!

(lights down on shepherds)

Narrator: And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby… lying in the manger.

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(lights up on manger scene)

SW: (in awe) Oh… how did you end up here… in the barn?

Joseph: I tried to find a suitable place to stay but there was no room for us in the inn.

Mary: But God has provided and these animals have made room for us…everything is as it should be. How did you know to find us here?

SH: Angels came to me while I was in the field watching over my sheep. They said that the Messiah had been born tonight and that we could find Him here…and here He is…amazing!

SW: I’m sorry I was too busy to notice you back here…I’m glad you’re OK…and I’m glad I didn’t miss meeting your special Baby…

(Deb sings solo)

“Sweet Little Jesus Boy”

Sweet little Jesus boyWe made you be born in a manger

Sweet little holy childWe didn't know who you were

Didn't know you'd come to save us LordTo take our sins away

Our eyes were blind, we could not seeWe didn't know who you were

You have told us howWe are trying

Master you have shown us howEven when you were dying

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Just seems like we can't do rightLook how we treated you

But please Sir forgive us LordWe didn't know it was you

Sweet little Jesus boyBorn a long time agoSweet little holy child

We didn't know who you were

SH: Now that we know who this Baby is, we need to spread the word! We need to tell everyone about Him so that they, too, can come and worship Him! Let’s go!

(shepherds exit; sheep come bursting into the scene)

Sheep 1: Hey! You’ll never guess what just happened!

Sheep 2: Yeah! You’ll never guess!

Sheep 3: Never! Never gonna guess!

Sheep 4: Nope!

Donkey: Let me guess. Some angels came to you in the field and told you about this special Baby being born.

Sheep 1: Angels? What are you talking about?

Sheep 2: We didn’t see any angels…

Sheep 3: Angels…that’s just crazy talk!

Sheep 4: Pshh!

Donkey: So you didn’t see the angels that appeared to the shepherds tonight?

Sheep 1: Nope.

Sheep 2: Nu-uh.

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Sheep 3: Nada

Sheep 4: Nuttin’ honey.

Sheep 1: We were just wandering around on our own like we usually do…

Sheep 2: Yep…on our own.

Sheep 3: That’s how we roll…

Sheep 4: You know that’s right…

Sheep 1: When there was this bright light…

Sheep 2: Wicked bright!

Sheep 3: Blinding!

Sheep 4: I’m still seeing spots!

Sheep 1: Then the shepherds took off and left us!

Sheep 2: They just left us!

Sheep 3: Right there in the middle of the field!

Sheep 4: All alone!

Hen: Oh my goodness! They left you all alone out in the field? How did you ever manage to get back here?!

Sheep 1: That’s what we were trying to tell you! You’ll never guess what happened! We made it all the way home…

All Sheep: BY. OUR. SELVES!!!

Dog: That IS pretty amazing!

Hen: Yes it is…but something even more amazing has happened tonight…something the whole world needs to hear about! The Messiah- the Son of God has come to earth tonight!

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Sheep 1: The Son of God? Where? All I see is that Baby asleep in donkey’s feeding trough.

Sheep 2: Yeah…why is there a Baby in the manger instead of donkey’s food?

Sheep 3: Maybe donkey is trying to lose weight…

Sheep 4: He should go on Biggest Loser!

Donkey: Who are you calling a loser?

Hen: Settle down…Donkey has generously let this Baby have his manger because this Baby is the One I was telling you about! He is the Son of God!

Sheep All: Ohhhhh!!

Sheep 1: So the BABY is the Son of God! That IS good news!

Sheep 2: It’s great news!

Sheep 3: We need to spread the word!

Sheep 4: Word up!

Hen: You’re exactly right! Dog, you go with the sheep and help them spread the good news.

Sheep 1: Uh…hello! Didn’t you hear the story of how we got home all by ourselves tonight? We don’t need Dog to watch out for us anymore.

Sheep 2: That’s right!

Sheep 3: We got this!

Sheep 4: Absolutely!

Dog: Works for me…I’ll stay here and keep watch over the Baby.

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Hen: OK…how about you mice? Are you ready to help tell everyone about this special Baby that has been born tonight?

Mice: YES WE ARE! Let’s tell everybody!

Hen: It’s starting to get dark out there, so I want you to take a candle with you to light the way. Spread the word to everyone… then hurry back here!

“Bring A Torch Jeanette- Isabella”

(Pantomime Shepherds, sheep & mice telling others about the Baby; gather other characters first, then move out into audience to get pre-arranged people to come to the manger; everyone gets a candle to symbolize the spreading of the Good News.)

(Animals move to background, shepherds & travelers surround manger, others fill platforms)

Traveler Daughter: Aww…He’s beautiful!

Traveler Son: Wow…This Baby must be very special!

Mary: The angel said He is the Son of God.

Traveler Mother: And to think He had to be born in a stable! I’m so sorry that we were too self-absorbed to notice you. We should have taken time to stop and help you instead of only focusing on our own comfort. It’s our fault your Baby was born here instead of a nice warm bed.

(Shepherd’s wife puts arm around Traveler’s wife)

SW: You’re not the only one who almost missed meeting Jesus…

(Traveler Father kneels before the manger)

TS: Dad! Aren’t you worried about getting dirty?!

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TF: No, son, I’m not. I was walking in darkness…enslaved by my own religiousness…but now I have seen the light. The Scriptures say:

The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;a light has dawnedon those living in the land of darkness.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; The government will rest on his shoulders.    And he will be called:Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace    will never end.He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David    for all eternity.

Song- verses special; chorus ALL

Christ Is ComeThe word of the prophets centuries old

The birth of Messiah has been long foretoldThat unto you, now unto you

CHORUSChrist is come

Let all creation singGod’s own Son

All hail the newborn KingThe Word made flesh now lives among us

Christ is come!

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Those born in darkness have seen a great lightThe Redeemer of our hearts has been born this night

Now unto you, unto you

CHORUS

Prince of Peace,YeshuaMessiah

Son of ManHoly One

King of KingsLord of Lords

The Great I AmComforterCounselor

Author and FinisherDivine Truth Revealer

DelivererHealer

You are GodJesus, You are God!

CHORUS

(candles extinguished; lights low; spot on small center; individuals step forward to speak; lights grow brighter as each line is spoken until whole stage is fully lit for final song)

Narrator 1: Christ DID come as a sweet little Baby in a manger…

Narrator 2: But He didn’t stay a little baby in a manger!

JoAnn: He grew up to be our Savior and our Redeemer!

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Mike: He lived a perfect, sinless life.

Deb: He healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and preached the Good News of God’s Kingdom to everyone who would listen!

Cindy: God’s ultimate plan for our salvation was accomplished with Jesus’ death on the cross.

John: He died in our place because of our sin.

Kianna & Sydney & Logan: But He didn’t stay dead!

Bruce: After three days in the tomb, He rose again!

Youth Girls: Conquering death, hell, and the grave!

Cliff: Since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that Jesus will return someday!

ALL: If He came today…would you be ready?

“What If It Were Today?”

Jesus is coming to earth again;What if it were today?

Coming in power and love to reign; What if it were today?

Signs of His coming multiply; Morning light breaks in eastern sky.Watch, for the time is drawing nigh;

What if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart ’twill bring.

Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him King.

Glory, glory!

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Haste to prepare the way;Glory, glory!

Jesus will come some day.

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