Incarnation
Drama
Thespian Theology
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
Thespian Theological Thoughts
How many different ways can one tell the Christmas story? I have to confess that, having done one slightly offbeat version (Thespian Theology -- Year A) and a traditional one (Thespian Theology -- Year B), I was feeling a bit flummoxed at the thought of yet another play for Year C.
And then I remembered this old Incarnation parable. You've probably heard it, but perhaps it's a good thing to dramatize it, to help us contemplate the awesome mystery of the Incarnation,
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Merry Christmas!
Cast
Narrator
The Man
Birds (3 or more)
Props/Costumes
Birds -- whistles, wings
(Narrator is at podium, stage left)
Narrator: Once-upon-a-time, there was a very kind and compassionate man who lived in a big house out in the country.
(The Man enters stage right)
Narrator: One cold winter evening, the man looked out his window and said:
The Man: Wow, look at the ice and snow blowing around out there! My thermometer says it's ten degrees below zero, but that howling wind makes it feel much colder. I hope all the little animals are warm enough tonight.
(Birds enter down all aisles)
Narrator: But some of the little animals were definitely not warm enough. A flock of birds appeared outside the man's window and tried to fly into his warm house. But they just banged into the window and hurt themselves.
(One by one, Birds fly up to "window" at edge of stage; hit the "window"; say, "Bong! ... Ouch!" fall down; and then crawl away, whimpering)
Narrator: The man was distraught at the sight of these poor cold and lost birds. He said:
The Man: I've got to help these poor creatures find warmth! What can I do? I know: I have a nice heated barn, where they'll be safe and warm. I'll go out and open up the barn door for them. (Moves down off the stage, goes stage left, and pantomimes opening a barn door) Here you are, little birds! Come into my nice barn, where you will be safe and warm.
Narrator: But the little birds were afraid of the man, because he looked so big and strange to them, and they flew away into the cold night.
(Birds fly away, up the aisles and out)
The Man: Come back, come back, little birds! I offer you safety and warmth and love. Don't be afraid of me.
Narrator: But the little birds were too frightened and cold to listen. They just kept flying away, into the cold, dark night. Deeply saddened, the man returned to his house.
(The Man moves back to center stage)
The Man: Oh, if only I could have become a little bird! Then I could have told them where to find safety, and they would have listened to me, because I would be one of them. (Exits stage right)
Narrator: You know, our Heavenly Father had the same problem with us, his little children. God has all the warmth and safety and love we need, and it's all ours for the taking. But God realized that, if he came to earth in all his power and glory, we would probably be frightened and fly away from him, just like little birds. But God didn't have to give up, like the man in our story. The God of heaven and earth was able to become one of us! In a cold, dusty stable, God Almighty became flesh and made his dwelling among us as a little baby. And that baby lived and died as one of us, and he is able to lead us to safety ... Eternal safety!
(Optional: Cast and audience sing "O Little Town Of Bethlehem")
How many different ways can one tell the Christmas story? I have to confess that, having done one slightly offbeat version (Thespian Theology -- Year A) and a traditional one (Thespian Theology -- Year B), I was feeling a bit flummoxed at the thought of yet another play for Year C.
And then I remembered this old Incarnation parable. You've probably heard it, but perhaps it's a good thing to dramatize it, to help us contemplate the awesome mystery of the Incarnation,
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Merry Christmas!
Cast
Narrator
The Man
Birds (3 or more)
Props/Costumes
Birds -- whistles, wings
(Narrator is at podium, stage left)
Narrator: Once-upon-a-time, there was a very kind and compassionate man who lived in a big house out in the country.
(The Man enters stage right)
Narrator: One cold winter evening, the man looked out his window and said:
The Man: Wow, look at the ice and snow blowing around out there! My thermometer says it's ten degrees below zero, but that howling wind makes it feel much colder. I hope all the little animals are warm enough tonight.
(Birds enter down all aisles)
Narrator: But some of the little animals were definitely not warm enough. A flock of birds appeared outside the man's window and tried to fly into his warm house. But they just banged into the window and hurt themselves.
(One by one, Birds fly up to "window" at edge of stage; hit the "window"; say, "Bong! ... Ouch!" fall down; and then crawl away, whimpering)
Narrator: The man was distraught at the sight of these poor cold and lost birds. He said:
The Man: I've got to help these poor creatures find warmth! What can I do? I know: I have a nice heated barn, where they'll be safe and warm. I'll go out and open up the barn door for them. (Moves down off the stage, goes stage left, and pantomimes opening a barn door) Here you are, little birds! Come into my nice barn, where you will be safe and warm.
Narrator: But the little birds were afraid of the man, because he looked so big and strange to them, and they flew away into the cold night.
(Birds fly away, up the aisles and out)
The Man: Come back, come back, little birds! I offer you safety and warmth and love. Don't be afraid of me.
Narrator: But the little birds were too frightened and cold to listen. They just kept flying away, into the cold, dark night. Deeply saddened, the man returned to his house.
(The Man moves back to center stage)
The Man: Oh, if only I could have become a little bird! Then I could have told them where to find safety, and they would have listened to me, because I would be one of them. (Exits stage right)
Narrator: You know, our Heavenly Father had the same problem with us, his little children. God has all the warmth and safety and love we need, and it's all ours for the taking. But God realized that, if he came to earth in all his power and glory, we would probably be frightened and fly away from him, just like little birds. But God didn't have to give up, like the man in our story. The God of heaven and earth was able to become one of us! In a cold, dusty stable, God Almighty became flesh and made his dwelling among us as a little baby. And that baby lived and died as one of us, and he is able to lead us to safety ... Eternal safety!
(Optional: Cast and audience sing "O Little Town Of Bethlehem")
