More Precious Than samples

Overview: Judy, the Creative Consultant, suggests putting a little more ”merry ”into the Christmas play instead of

using the traditional way of telling the story. She wants to bring more energy and excitement to it. It is a humorous

way of coming to the conclusion that the traditional “Mary” story is truly the best story. The ending brings it all

together to the glory of Jesus and the Peace of Christmas. The choir is used extensively in this drama production.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Judy Wright … Creative Consultant

Michael Turner … Church Music Minister

Carolyn … Michael’s secretary

Director

Choir Member #1

Choir Member #2

Choir Member #3

Other choir members

Shepherds

THE SETTINGS: Offices of Youth Minister and Creative Consultant; Choir rehearsal

PROPS:

*Telephone *Chair *Calendar *Desk & Chair *Sheep *CD player

*CD of songs (Let it Snow, Winter Wonderland, I’m dreaming of a White Christmas)

SUGGESTED CHOIR SONGS

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD, I EXTOL YOU (MARY)

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

A KING IS BORN

MORE PRECIOUS THAN SILVER/COSTLY THAN GOLD

JESUS, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Sample – Discussion about the upcoming program for Christmas

Carolyn: Michael, don’t forget you have a meeting this morning with Judy Wright.

Michael: What?

Carolyn: A meeting with Judy Wright about the Christmas program.

Michael: (Screams just like Judy did).

Carolyn: Michael Turner.

Michael: Sorry, but how am I supposed to be working on a Christmas program? I am already swamped with things to do. (He lists the things he is currently working on).

Plus, I have a mission trip I have already committed to. (Pause)

What am I going to do?

Carolyn: Sometimes I just turn out the lights and hide under my desk.

Michael: (Confused) What?

Carolyn: Judy will be here in an hour.

Sample – a different kind of Christmas program

Michael: Good ideas?

Judy: Brilliant, actually.

See, all Christmas programs everywhere, are pretty much the same.

(She speaks very fast)

Angel tells the Virgin Mary she is “with child”, conceived by God;

Angel tells Joseph; Mary is not lying; marry Mary;

Tax time; labor time; donkey ride to Bethlehem;

No room at the inn; Baby born in a stable; laid in a manger;

Shepherds come with nothing;

Three kings come with gifts;

Sing Hallelujah chorus;

Take up love offering;

Everyone goes home;

Same old, same old.

Michael: (Confused) So, uh what are you looking for here a …(slight pause) spaceship?

Judy, you cannot change the story. It has to be the same. In fact, I am pretty sure my job depends on it.

Judy: Michael, I know we can’t CHANGE the story, but we CAN tell it differently. You know, a little more…I don’t know…energy, excitement. I want Christmas to be …uh… uh …what is the word I am looking for here?

I want Christmas to be …

Michael: Merry?

Judy: MERRY! Yes that is it. Merry Christmas.

Sample – they try the “new” program

Judy: What do you think?

Michael: Well, it certainly was “Merry”.

Judy: It was, wasn’t it? A lot of excitement and energy. It really puts you in a mood to…to…what is the word I am looking for here; it puts you in a mood to…

Michael: Shop.

Judy: (She grows a little saddened). Exactly, “shop”. (Pause) What is missing Michael?

Michael: For starters… Mary.

Judy: (Understanding is beginning to creep in). Not “Merry Christmas”, merry, but mother of Jesus, Mary. (Pause and then snap fingers, with a great idea) Michael, we need Mary in the program.

Michael: (Nods his head slowly). That is what makes you the brilliant consultant.

What do you think about working Jesus into the program?

(Pause)

The babe wrapped in swaddling clothes…the Christ Child.

You know, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Judy: Yes, Matthew 1:23 “ Behold the virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son,

And they shall call His name EMMANUEL, which means “God with us”.

Sample – they try the “new” program)

(Lights fade on choir and come back up in Michael’s office.)

Judy: Mary is such a beautiful portrait of faithfulness and obedience and the birth of the Saviour, the Son of God, in a stable is just so humbling. God’s love just poured out that night. Michael, don’t you think we need to tell more of the story?

(Michael nods his head, realizing Judy is no longer in the Christmas mood, she is in the Christmas spirit.)

We need shepherds, (Pause)…and sheep.

Michael: Real sheep?

Judy: Yes, real sheep, we can get them from a friend, well really a friend of a friend, who…

Sample – what the ending shall be

Judy: Oh, I kind of had some ideas that I thought would…

Michael: No. I already know how I want to close the program. It will not be entertainment or even performance. It will be a time of praise.

(Pause)

Praise and worship to the King of Kings.

Sample – ending is with a Óprayer as the lights fade.