Advent Play
I looked all over for an Advent play and couldn't find
one. So, we made one up. It was a dramatization of the Jesse Tree.
Each family chose a bible story to perform.
They chose how to perform it, practiced it at home. These are some
of their ideas of how they performed some of the stories. We just to put
it all together with a narrator. We
chose to give our narrator the character of Mary and it was all told from her
perspective while she looked back in history as God prepared her nation and
world for the baby that was inside her.
"Waiting For Jesus"
(Mary walks to center stage, nods yes to the audience
and starts to sing with them.)
O
come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
(On
knees, praying) Here I am, Lord. The
time is coming closer to when I will give birth to your Son, and call Him Jesus.
Thank you for being with me during this time of waiting.
Thank you for the strength that you have given to me.
Thank you for the virtues that have helped me stay close to you.
I know you are always with me just as you were with all of my people from
the very beginning of time.
(Stands up and walk thinking outloud to herself)
Jesse was the father of King David, my ancestor. God promised David that his
Kingdom would last forever - and that through him and his seed God would save
his people and bless the world. Two hundred years after the death of King David
God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
(Stop walking and look at audience during bible verse)
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear
fruit. (speaking with power) The Spirit of the Lord
will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of
counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He
will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with
his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will
give decisions for the poor of the earth. (Isaiah 11:1-4)
Isaiah was talking about the Messiah.
That is the baby the angel Gabriel told me I would be blessed to carry
(touching
stomach with both hands) (Pause, walks to empty tree at side of stage) A
shoot that grows from a stump and becomes a new tree… Look at this
bare, empty tree. It almost looks
dead. This will be a Jesse Tree.
(Lead
people with a nod ‘yes’ and
your eyes to Sing)
O
come, O Rod of Jesse, free
Your own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Your people save
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I remember the story of God creating
the world . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain as still as possible until skit is ended)
|
God
|
Creation
|
Gen
1:1-2:3
|
World
|
|
(This could be done
in first person or narrator. God
is dressed in robe and beard and can hold a world beach ball.)
On the first day (God) I created the earth
out of nothing, called the light day and the dark night and (God) I saw
that it was good.
On
the second day (God) I created the sky and called it heaven and (God) I
saw that it was good.
On
the third day (God) I gathered all the water and land appeared; and
brought forth all the trees, grasses and plants and (God) I saw that it
was good.
On
the fourth day (God) I created the sun, moon, stars and (God) I saw that
it was good.
On
the fifth day (God) I created the fishes of the sea, the birds of the
air, and all other living creatures that fly and (God) I saw that it was
good.
On
the sixth day (God) I created all the other living creatures and man and
(God) I saw that it was good.
On
the seventh day (God) I rested and (God) I saw that it was good.
|
(walk to center stage) God loves us so much!
He made us because he loved us and even made us in His own image. He gave
us everything in this world to love Him and know Him. (looking up with folded hands) Father, thank you for your perfect plan for our world:
a plan for love, peace, and happiness.
Thank you for this world, and please help us be thankful for all you’ve
given us. (Walk to tree, hang ornament
and begin song. Hold position of
touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things mightily
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I remember the story of sin first entering the world. . . (look
dreamily at the skit. Remain as
still as possible until skit is ended)
|
Adam
& Eve
|
The
First Sin
|
Gen
2:4 – 3:24
|
Apple
/ Snake
|
(walk to center stage) Reflection / Virtue
(looking up with folded
hands)
Prayer (place
ornament on tree and begin song. Hold
position of touching tree until song is ended)
song
I remember the story when sin was so bad only one family still
loved God. . . (look dreamily at the skit. Remain
as still as possible until skit is ended)
|
Noah
|
The
Flood
|
Gen
6:11-22, 7:17-8:12, 20-9:17
|
Rainbow
or Ark
|
| Props used
- stuffed animals & a box painted to look like an ark. 2 kids
played Noah & his wife discussing the story in everyday language. |
(walk to center stage) Sin is so terrible,
that God had to wipe it out. God
saved Noah and his family when they obeyed him.
They didn’t completely understand God’s plan, but they obeyed anyway.
When the flood was over, God promised never to destroy the world by flood
again and his sign was a rainbow in the sky.
Even in a sinful world, God keeps his promises.
(looking
up with folded hands) Father, please give us obedience to follow you even when we
don’t understand your whole plan. (place ornament on tree and
begin song. Hold position of
touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Your advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I
remember the story of God’s promise to Abraham. . . (look
dreamily at the skit. Remain as
still as possible until skit is ended)
|
Abraham
|
The
Promise
|
Gen
12:1-7, 15:1-6
|
Tent
or Camel
|
Kraynik
|
| This family
had their kids wear Star necklaces (posterboard that covered most of
their bodies). The mom read the story while the dad in beard acted
it out and the kids sang "Father Abraham" afterwards. |
(walk to center stage) Going without knowing. That’s
what Abraham had to do to be part of God’s plan.
God promised that Abraham’s children would one day be a great nation.
But Abraham had to leave his home to follow God with nothing but faith.
Sometimes waiting for God’s plan requires strong faith.
(looking
up with folded hands) Father, please give us faith to follow you when you call,
wherever that call leads us. (place ornament on tree and begin song.
Hold position of touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Your tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times once give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I remember the story when God asked a parent to sacrifice a
son . . . (look dreamily at the skit. Remain
as still as possible until skit is ended)
|
Isaac
|
Offering
of Isaac
|
Gen
22:1-19
|
Ram
|
Grubbs
|
(walk to center stage) Sometimes what God asks of us is such a sacrifice and so hard
to do. Even though Isaac looked
like he was in danger, God was protecting him all the time. It can be so hard when we’re asked to make sacrifices, but
we can truly trust God. (looking
up with folded hands) Father, help us trust you even when things are
hard. (place ornament on tree and
begin song. Hold position of
touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I remember the story of a man who tried to run away. . . (look
dreamily at the skit. Remain as
still as possible until skit is ended)
|
Jacob
|
Assurance
of the Promise
|
Gen
27:41-28:22
|
Ladder
|
(walk to center stage) God wanted Jacob to know that the promises of God were meant
for him, too. Jacob had been
running away from some bad things he’d done, instead of facing the
consequences. When Jacob was sorry,
he still had to fix what he’d done. (looking
up with folded hands) Father, teach us to face the consequences when we’ve done
something wrong and wait for you. (place ornament on tree and
begin song. Hold position of
touching tree until song is ended)
song
I remember the story of a man who lost everything. . . (look
dreamily at the skit. Remain as
still as possible until skit is ended)
|
Joseph
|
God's
Providence
|
Gen
37, 39:1-50:21
|
Sack
of Grain or Coat
|
Beier
|
(walk to center stage) What others meant for
evil, God used for good. Even
when Joseph was nothing but a slave, he still used his talents to help other
people and serve God. (looking up with folded hands) Father, help us use
the gifts you’ve given us. Help
us to see what we do have rather than focus on what we don’t have and help us
forgive those who do evil to us. (place ornament on tree and begin song. Hold position of touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I remember . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain until skit is ended)
|
Moses
|
God's
Leadership
|
Exod
3:1-4:20
|
Burning
Bush
|
(walk to center stage) Sometimes we don’t
feel able to do the things God asks of us.
They just seem too big when we’re so small.
I can’t imagine why God chose me, a young girl, to become the Mother of
the Savior. (looking
up with folded hands) Father, help us rise to your wishes and do even big things if
you want us to. (place ornament on tree and begin song. Hold position of touching tree until song is ended)
song
I remember . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain until skit is ended)
|
Israelites
|
Passover
|
Exod
12:1-14:31
|
Lamb
|
(walk to center stage) I’m sure it was hard to be patient while all that was going
on, but if an entire nation could have patience, I can try to patiently wait for
this little baby. (looking
up with folded hands) Father, thank you that your nation of Israel showed us how to
have patience while we wait for your son. (place ornament on tree
and begin song. Hold position of
touching tree until song is ended)
song
I remember . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain until skit is ended)
|
God
|
Giving
the Torah
|
Exod
19:1-20:20
|
Tablets
of the Torah
|
(walk to center stage) Sometimes following God’s rules doesn’t seem very fun,
but really that’s part of how God protects us.
He’s teaching us to love each other through his laws.
(looking up with folded
hands)
Father, learn what you want from us and mind you as much as we can.
(place ornament on tree and begin song. Hold
position of touching tree until song is ended)
song
|
Joshua
|
The
Fall of Jericho
|
Josh
1:1-11, 6:1-20
|
Ram's
Horn Trumpet
|
|
Gideon
|
Unlikely
Heroes
|
Judg
2:6-23, 6:1-6, 11-8:28
|
Clay
Water Pitcher
|
|
Samuel
|
The
Beginning
of the Kingdom
|
1
Sam 3:1-21, 7:1-8:22, 9:15-10:9
|
Crown
|
I remember when God’s people forgot Him . . . (look
dreamily at the skit. Remain until
skit is ended)
|
Elijah
|
False
Gods
|
1
Kng 17:1-16, 18:17-46
|
Stone
Altar
|
Johnston
|
(walk to center stage) The Israelites had forgotten God, until He showed them a
miracle. God still performs miracles today, but sometimes they are everyday
miracles, like a baby being born. (looking up with folded hands) Father, help us love
you even when we don’t see exciting miracles.
We want to see your everyday miracles in our lives. (place ornament on
tree and begin song. Hold position
of touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
I remember . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain until skit is ended)
|
David
|
A
shepherd for the people
|
1
Sam 16:1-23 – 17:58 or 2 Sam 5:1-5, 7:1-17
|
Harp
or shepherd’s staff
|
(walk to center stage) Reflection (looking up with folded hands) Prayer.
(place ornament on tree and begin song. Hold
position of touching tree until song is ended)
song
I remember . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain until skit is ended)
|
Hezekiah
|
Faithfulness
and Deliverance
|
2
Kng 18:1-19:19, 32-37
|
An
Empty Tent
|
(walk to center stage) Reflection (looking up with folded hands) Prayer.
(place ornament on tree and begin song. Hold
position of touching tree until song is ended)
song
I
remember a man who spoke the truth . . . (look dreamily at the skit.
Remain until skit is ended)
|
Isaiah
|
The
Call to Holiness
|
Isa
8:11-9:7
|
Fire
Tongs with Hot Coal
|
Rost
|
(Narration [in brackts] is Mom ; Angel / Bad King, underlined,
is 3 ½ yr old boy ; Isaiah is 7yr old boy)
[There was a prophet Isaiah and one day he had a great vision]
(Isaiah with hand to brow) I see the Lord seated on his throne in
glory!
[But his joy quickly turned to fear]
(Isaiah squatting down with head in hands on knees) Woe is me!
I am only wicked Isaiah, from wicket people, but my eyes have
seen the Lord! I’m ashamed.
[Then he saw someone]
(Angel approaches
with “tongs of fire” (ice tongs with a foil ball) and Isaiah rising
and pointing) An Angel!
[The angel carries a live burning coal in tongs]
(Angel puts coal at Isaiah’s mouth) Stand up!
Your wickedness is gone!
(Angel flies away (runs around stage with arms outstretched) into
Narrator’s arms. Narrator
takes “tongs & coal”, & removes angel overgarment to reveal
some armor. Narrator puts
crown on his head & hands him a cudgel.
This has to be fast and action on stage & narrator’s lines
must continue while this is going on!)
(Isaiah waving goodbye as angel flies away) Thank you, angel.
[Then God spoke to Isaiah. “Who shall I send?
Who shall speak to this people?”]
(Isaiah) Send me! I’ll
tell them! (Isaiah proclaiming with arms outstretched) The people that
walked in darkness have seen a great light.
For a child is born to us.
[But Isaiah was persecuted for serving the Lord.]
(Narrator sends Bad King to beat Isaiah) Shut up, Isaiah!
Shut up!
(Isaiah who is on the ground suffering the blows) I will not!
I will speak the truth, King!
A son is given to us!
|
(walk to center stage) God sent many prophets to his people. The prophets called the people to holiness and gave the
people hope. They said no matter
how bad things get here on earth, God will never forget his people.
He would even send a Savior. (looking up with folded
hands)
Father, help us be holy and wait. (place ornament on tree and
begin song. Hold position of
touching tree until song is ended)
O
come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Your tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times once give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
Jeremiah
|
The
Exile
|
Jer
1:4-10, 2:4-13, 7:1-15, 8:22-9:1-11
|
Tears
|
I remember a time of hopelessness . . . (look
dreamily at the skit. Remain until
skit is ended)
|
Habakkuk
|
Waiting
|
Hab
1:1-2:1, 3:16-19
|
Stone
Watchtower
|
MacDonald
|
|
(Angel proclaims loudly) The prophet Habakkuk speaks:
(Prophet in brown tunic/dress with red sash & red hat
(flapper-girl type) speaks with anguish)
How long, O LORD? I cry for help, but you do not
listen!
I cry out to
You, "Violence!" but you do not come to save me.
Why do You let me see ruin, why must I look at misery?
Destruction
and violence are before me; Strife exists and clamorous discord.
This is why the law is ignored And justice is never upheld.
For the
wicked surround the righteous; Then justice comes out perverted.
(Kneels, prays for strength, then stands with resolve &
says firmly)
I will stand at my guard post And station myself upon the rampart;
And I will keep watch to see what He will say to me, And what
answer He will give to my complaint.
(As an aside to audience)Then the LORD answered me and said,
(Angel speaks with authority)
"(Write down the vision Clearly on the tablets,
so that one may read it readily.
"For the vision still has it’s time; presses on to
fulfillment, and will not fail.
If it
delays, wait for it; It will surely come. It will not be late.
"The rash man has no integrity; but the just man, because of his
faith, shall live.”
|
(walk to center stage) Waiting means we look forward to the future, for our savior.
We’ve waited a long time; some people forget to keep looking for God's
promised Son. They no longer care about God or God's promise, and when Jesus
arrives will they recognize him? (looking up with folded hands) Father, stay with us
while we wait and watch for your Son. (place ornament on tree and begin song.
Hold position of touching tree until song is ended)
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of humankind;
O bid our sad divisions cease,
And be for us our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel.
|
Nehemiah
|
Return
and Rebuilding
|
Neh
1:1-2:8, 6:15-16, 13:10-22
|
City
Wall
|
|
John
the Baptist
|
Repentance
|
Luke
1:57-80, 3:1-207:18-30
|
Scallop
Shell
|
|
Mary
|
Hope
for a future
|
Luke
1:26-38
|
Rose
/ Lily
|
|
Elizabeth
|
Joy
|
Luke
1:39-56
|
Mother
and Child
|
|
Zechariah
|
Anticipation
|
Luke
1:57-80
|
Pencil
and Tablet
|
|
Joseph
|
Trust
|
Matt
1:19-25
|
Hammer
|
(children move from sitting with their parents to center stage,
facing Mary)
Immaculate
Mary
Immaculate
Mary, your praises we sing,
You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.
(Chorus) Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!
Predestined for Christ by eternal decree,
God willed you both virgin and mother to be.
(Chorus)
Your child is the Savior, all hope lies in Him:
He gives us new life and redeems us from sin.
(Chorus)