What Can I Give Him?
Written by Sheila Schaefer
The sanctuary is dark with a spotlight on a mother at center stage surrounded by wrapped boxes. She is at a table wrapping gifts. Her young daughter comes in from the right side, takes a chair at the table and asks…
Daughter: “What are you doing mommy?”
Mother: (wrestling with a package) “I’m wrapping Christmas presents.”
Daughter: “Can I help?”
Mother: “Sure!”
Daughter sits down as Mother hands her a roll of scotch tape. She helps tape the package.
Daughter: “Who are the presents for?”
Mother: “Laura, Jason, Daddy…”
Daughter breaks in: “…and me?”
Mother: “I think there might be one or two for you.”
Daughter:”And some for Jesus?”
Mother: (hesitatingly) “Well…”
Daughter: “It’s His birthday. We should have presents for Jesus too.”
Mother: (drawing the word out) “Well…”
Daughter: (picking up a wrapped gift) “I want to give Jesus something. (Turning to the mother) What can I give Him mommy?”
Mother: (As if at a loss for words) “Well… (then with enthusiasm) why don’t we read the story of Jesus’ birth together and maybe that will help us think of something.
Mother picks up a Bible nearby and begins to read”.
Mother: “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrennius was governor ofSyria.) And all went to be taxed everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city ofNazareth, into Judea, to the city ofDavid, which is calledBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David). To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Center light goes out. Mother and Daughter exit.
Light on musicians : Special Music: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” 2 vs. on violins
The stage is dimly lit with “moonlight.” Mary and Joseph are on stage in a tent setting.
Mary: (rubbing her back and sitting carefully on a mat on the stage) ”Oh Joseph I’m so glad to be off that donkey. How much further?”
Joseph: (gingerly tending Mary) “Just one more days journey Mary. I know the trip has been hard for you. I wish you didn’t have to travel now…like this. But the tax…Cesar…I…
Mary interrupts: “It’s OK Joseph, really. (She lovingly holds her stomach) At least we will be together when He is born. And besides, is it not foretold that he will be born in Bethlehem? I had to come. “
Joseph:” You’re right. But you must get some rest. (Placing his hand on her shoulders he encourages Mary to lie down.) Sleep now. Tomorrow will be another long day. But (Joseph lies next to Mary) we will get a room at an inn and you will have a bed (Joseph’s voice gets “drowsy”) and you can sleep as long as you want.”
Joseph falls asleep breathing heavily.
Mary gets up, stands in spotlight looks up at the sky (spotlight brightens) and she sings “Breath of Heaven.” Spotlight dims slowly as she finishes song. They exit.
Narrator: “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.
Light on musicians: Special Music: girls sing Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Narrator: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born this day in the city of Davida Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem, and see this thing which the Lord has made known to us.’”
Light shines on center aisle.
Two shepherds scurry down center aisle, the first some paces ahead of the second who is carrying a lamb.
Shepherd 1: (Calling to shepherd 2)” Hurry Nathaniel, hurry. The others are far ahead of us.”
Shepherd 2: (Grunting) ”I’m coming.”
Shepherd 1: (Excitedly with much expression) “It’s the Messiah; we’re going to see the Messiah! He’s come and He’s here inBethlehem. Can you believe it? It’s the best news ever!”
Shepherd 2: (With exasperation) “I know, I know, I’m going as fast as I can. “
Shepherd 1: (Without hesitation he breaks in) “…And we get to be the first ones to see Him.”
Shepherd 2:”I know, why do you think I’m bringing my favorite lamb? You heard the angel. He’s the Savior. One day He will be King and he will save us.”
Shepherd 1:”Hosanna! Here, let me help you.”
Shepherd 1 reaches for lamb to help with the burden.
Shepherd 2:”Thanks!”
They quickly exit to the right through office door. All lights go dim
Light comes on for musicians: Special Music: O Come All Ye Faithful vs 1,3 girls with piano
Mary and Joseph sit on center stage.
Center light comes on. Mary holds baby Jesus, Joseph paces around them.
Joseph: (Apologetically)” I’m sorry this is all I could get for you Mary. It’s hardly fitting for the Son of God but it was the only thing left.”
Mary: (Graciously)” It’s OK Joseph. It’s warm, dry and there are certainly worse places to be than a stable. If Jehovah wanted Jesus born in Herod’s palace I’m sure he could have found a way to make it happen. I am content to be right here with just the two of you. I have no doubts you will be a wonderful provider and father to this Child of God. Now, hold your son while I rest.”
Joseph takes the baby Jesus, holds him awhile and then sits down beside Mary. Center light dims.
Light on musicians: Special music: Silent Night 2 verses
On verse 2: Light comes up at center stage the shepherds come back in from the office to approach the Baby Jesus with trepidation. Mary sits up and takes baby Jesus. Joseph invites the shepherds to come closer. They approach the baby Jesus slowly, amazed and in awe and lay the lamb at Mary’s feet. At the end of the song lights dim all exit.
Anna comes on the stage which remains dark and prays against the right wall.
Narrator: “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be set apart as holy unto to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, (Light on center stage) whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit he went into the temple courts.”
Simeon has come on stage from office.
Mary and Joseph come to the stage from the center aisle carry Jesus into the “temple” with two doves and are met by Simeon.
Narrator: “When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God.”
Simeon: (Taking the baby in his arms he raises him toward heaven) ”Sovereign Lord, as you have promised you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your peopleIsrael. (handing the baby back to Mary) This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many inIsraeland a sign that will be spoken against so that the hearts of many will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Turning to Anna he calls to her) Anna, you must come and see. It is the Messiah.”
Anna approaches the group and recites from Psalm 103. The stage dims. All exit.
Light on musicians: Girls sing “Love Has Come!” a accapella
Put up powerpoint screen with star.
Narrator: “Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east toJerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. “
Light on center aisle and stage as three kings slowly make their decent down the center aisle.
The kings stop at the stage. King 2 veers off to right looking off in the distance.
King 1: (sitting on stage taking a earthen jug from a pouch at his side he pours a white liquid into a bejeweled vase) ”Melchior, come, sit, and let us prepare ourselves and then we shall continue on to the little town of the Hebrew King.”
King 2: (looking off to the side as in the distance) ”How can you stop? Are you not anxious to get there? Look, there, (He points) is that not Herod’sBethlehem? (He turns back to the men and says under his breath) That snake. He worships no one but himself. His pride will never acknowledge this child as the true King.”
King 1: “I’m afraid you are right about Herod. And yes, I am anxious to see the new king and present him our gifts. But we have come a long way, many miles from our Tarshish, Shebaand Seba. We must make preparations because unlike Herod, we do intend to worship Him”.
King 3:” Balthasar is right, Melchior. We must make ready our gifts. (Sitting by King 1 he pulls a bag of “gold” from his side and pours it into a treasure chest). You brought myrrh, a burial spice. Will you present it to this new king without explanation for his parents?”
King 2: “You are both right, Caspar, but I have thought long and hard about this. I will tell them that I know of the scriptures that predict his sacrifice and death. I am ready. (Holding up a vase of “fragrance) It’s just that the star makes me impatient. It beckons me. (He looks over toward the “star”) What do you think we will find? “
King 3:”The Hope of all nations. He may be King of the Jews but He will change the world for all men.
King 1:“Well spoken Caspar. Your gold is an appropriate gift for such a King.”
King 2:”As is yours. The incense required by the holy God of Israel for sacrifices speaks to the holiness and purity of this child king.”
King 3:”Gold. Myrrh, Frankincense, what are these but mere tokens for one as mighty as this Who is the Messiah of God. (He looks over toward “Bethlehem”.) I’m with you Melchoir. How can we sit here when that star calls to us? On we go then.” (The three kings head off to Tim’s office. All lights go dim)
Spotlight comes on center stage as young daughter from first scene returns to the center.
Daughter recites “What Can I Give Him” as children come in with candles lit
Put up powerpoint screen with words to song “O Come Let Us Adore Him”. All join in singing as all actors come up the aisles to the stage.
Closing prayer by Pastor.