Advent IV
Sunday, December 19th, 2021
“It’s Almost Christmas!”
This is meant to be inter-generational, it is meant to include some young people, older people…It is meant to include some Christmas Carolers of differing ages…hopefully some confirmands. Carolers are wearing their jackets, scarves, etc.
Needed will be: 4-5 older congregational members (4 women, 1 man)
(34 Children) Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus and perhaps an Angel all in costume
A handful of adult carolers (choir members?)
Some confirmand carolers (Service hour) who join in with the adult choir members
Setting:
A home for the elderly…
Seated around with a fireplace of sorts and comfortable seating…
Cold and complaining, as Christmas draws nearer
They just had breakfast…or lunch…they have no interest in Christmas or the Holidays…UNTIL
And their discussion is all important…
Congregation will sing hymns…
One person at a time enters the stage area amidst readings and singing…
Newspaper needed for the man(prop)
THE CONGREGATION SINGS
Woman: 1 Solo woman on stage, looking out an imaginary window “Oh Dear, it looks cold out there again today…” She holds herself from the cold…and continues looking out the window. She covers herself with a shawl…or blanket…or bathrobe…
Woman 2: (Second lady joins the first on stage) I don’t wear GOLD…besides someone stole all my precious jewelry…I’m lucky I can still find my teeth…what about GOLD?
Woman 1: I didn’t say “gold,” I said, “COLD.” It looks COLD outside, again!
Woman 2: GOLD, COLD, you got anything to eat? I’m hungry… Mumbles and grumbles…and fusses around…
Woman3: Enters the third lady, “Good Afternoon, ladies” How’s everybody feeling today?
Woman 1: What’s good about it? It looks cold (with a “C”) and miserable outside.
Woman 2: I had a good breakfast.
Woman 3: Its afternoon, Shirley…you just had LUNCH…
Woman 2: I know it was good too…I enjoyed it…but breakfast was better… I love my breakfasts…it is THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY. Always start out the day with a good breakfast, I always say.
(Enter the one, and only man, newspaper in hand) he sits down saying nothing, and opening the paper up and reading it…
Woman 3: So, what’s on everyone’s agenda for today?
Man 1: Reading the paper in peace and quiet. (A bit gruff)
Woman 1: (Talking to the audience) “If he wants peace and quiet – he should have stayed in his room with the door closed!”
Woman 2: I’m waiting for supper…
Woman 3: Is anyone in the Christmas spirit, yet?
Woman 1: Not me.
Woman 2: Christmas, bah humbug! Fruitcakes and obligatory visits from the relatives…the only time they show, DONTCHA KNOW.
Man: Puts paper down. According to the paper we are hours away from all the last minute sales. Prices are being slashed. Air Fryers are on sale EVERYWHERE.
Woman 2: What’s an air fryer?
Man: Makes chicken crispy and pizza in half the time. Crispy fries without all the oil. That’s the golden promise of air fryers, and it might explain why, in the U.S., the market for these appliances continues to grow 10 percent year over year. It says all that, right here in the ad. It is a must-have gift.
Woman 1: So, when is Christmas? Does it say that in the ad, too?
Woman 3: Duh! December 25TH…(it’s the same date every year!) that’s why I asked if ANYONE was in the spirit yet…
Woman 2: Bah Humbug.
Woman 1: I’m with you. BIG DEAL!. It is just another day.
Man: How can you say that? I guess we ALL know WHO is getting “Nothing for Christmas!”
Man: Who remembers Christmas AS A KID?
Woman 1: Who cares?
Woman 2: I remember the food.
Woman 3: I remember it all. It was wonderful, as a child…especially as a very young child. It was fun. Especially the opening up of presents.
Woman 2: I remember the Fruitcakes they were much better THEN…
Woman 4: So, what are you guys talking about today? I just thought I’d sneak into your conversation.
Man: Christmas, its now just a couple of days away…
Woman 4: And were you girls – GOOD THIS YEAR? And were you a good boy, too? Or is Santa gonna leave you all a lump of coal? Hahaha, (she laughs out loud)
Carolers sing in the Narthex area…
Woman 4: Did you guys just hear some Christmas music? Someone singing?
Enter some carolers 4-5 of them, with little children.
The Children are dressed as Mary, Joseph, and an angel. Mary carries a baby doll.
Carolers: Merry Christmas, Everybody!
Woman 4: Merry Christmas!
Man: Merry Christmas!
Woman 2: (Talking to the audience) I wonder if they have any Fruitcake?
Woman 3: Thank God, someone’s got some Christmas spirit!
Woman 4: We are so excited to see you folks…you sounded amazing…again, thank you so much for stopping by us…we do not get a lot of visitors around here…
Woman 2: EXCEPT AT CHRISTMAS! And they usually come empty-handed…
No one brings fruitcakes any more…or boxes of chocolates…or anything to eat…hint, hint, hint…
Man: Well, I think you children look awesome. Let me see: You must be Joseph…and you must be Mary, and you, YOU ARE just the cutest ANGEL…I bet your name is GABRIEL!
Woman 2: Show off…
Woman 1: How do you know so much? Their names and all…
Man: Well, isn’t it obvious? It is almost Christmas, you know…I mean, who else would they be?
Woman 1: Dancer, Prancer, and Blitzen, perhaps?
Man: That’s not very nice, they’re children…and it is almost Christmas…and they came to see US!
Woman 2: Obviously without any food.
The Carolers start warming up…talking among themselves…deciding on a song…deciding on Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer…the congregation can join in!!!
Congregation joins in on Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer!
Woman1, 2,3 and 4 applaud…
Woman 2: Is it time to eat, yet?
Woman 4: That was so nice, thank you, so much.
Woman 3: Well, I think you guys sound wonderful! It is so nice to see some new faces.
Woman 2: What’s the matter with my old face?
Woman 3: Hush, Shirley.
Woman 2: Don’t hush me.
Woman 3: It’s almost Christmas…
Woman 2: Bah Humbug!
Man: You have to excuse Shirley, she has yet to capture the spirit of Christmas.
Woman 4: How about another song, maybe we could sing along?
The Congregation joins in!
Jingle Bells
The four women and man: ALL APPLAUD!
Woman 2: I had THAT record.
Man: In 1935, the Benny Goodman Orchestra recorded it. Then…
In 1941, orchestra leader Glenn Miller had a hit with it.
In 1943, the recording by pop singer and actor Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters sold way over a million copies.
And in 1951, Les Paul, the famous Gibson guitar maker, made a multi-track version on guitar.
Woman 3: I remember all of them.
Woman 2: My copy was Bing Crosby. That man could croon.
Woman 4: Sounds like someone is getting “in the spirit.”
Woman 3: It’s about time!
Woman 1: I don’t know about you guys, but I would love to hear another song. Is it too bold, to ask? This is lifting our spirits…
Someone brings in the manger
And sets it in their midst!
Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus come to the center of the group and kneel down at the manger…
Woman 4: Look they even brought props!
Woman 2: But no fruit cake!
Carolers and congregation sing: AWAY IN THE MANGER
Applause is the loudest so far…
Woman 4: So precious.
Woman 3: You guys are wonderful.
Woman 1: We sure do appreciate your visit today!
Woman 2: Not bad, not bad, at all…
Man: I love the kids in costume. I was in a Christmas play once.
Woman 1: So was I.
Woman 3: Me too!
Woman 2: I think I was…was I a sheep? An angel? Maybe I was a shepherd or a King? I remember wearing a costume and being very scared. People watching. People staring. But when it was all over. Everyone was so happy. So, kind. It felt so good. Everybody came up to us and said what a good job we did. It was actually fun.
Woman 4: Well look who is finally coming around!
Woman 2: Great job, kids. Good job, carolers!
Man: It was pretty special. And to come out, to see us, on such a cold day. It is definitely appreciated!
Woman 3: Might we be so bold as to ask for one more song? You guys are making our day. Do you know, “Deck the Halls?”
Man: Deck the Hall is a very popular old Welsh Christmas carol that was probably composed back in the 1700’s. It is all about getting ready to celebrate Christmas!
Woman 4: That is exactly what we are doing, now!
Woman 3: We are preparing the way…we are getting ready…
Woman 2: I remember that one, as well. This music, these songs, these carolers does take you back. Why, I even remember going caroling. It was cold. You could see your breath. But again, it was so much fun. I think we had HOT CHOCOLATE, with marshmallows in it afterwards.
Woman 4: What a nice memory.
Woman 1: Sounds like another nice time. A good memory.
Man: What about the song? You guys are good. And not even a pitch pipe!
Carolers and Congregation sing,
“Deck the Halls:
Everybody sings…
Man: It’s funny how music can transform you.
Woman 1: It brings back memories.
Woman 2: Another day…
Woman 4: Another time…
Woman 3: Kind of comforting. Nostalgic. Heart-warming. And to think you folks took time out of your day to come and see us. This was such a nice surprise!
Woman 2: And fun, actually. Who would believe it? Mary, Joseph, Jesus, an angel, carolers…all coming to see us.
Man: Merry Christmas Carolers, you have made our day.
Woman 2: And our Christmas!
The carolers start to leave…they shake hands and wish people a Merry Christmas and as they leave…they sing…
WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
Congregation joins in
Woman 4: That was wonderful!
Woman 3: That was so thoughtful.
Man: They were actually pretty good.
Woman 1: I thought they were great.
Woman 2: And even I liked it!
ENTER ON STAGE
CHILDREN
STILL IN COSTUME
Passing out gift bags
Woman 1: Thank you, Merry Christmas!
Woman 3: Merry Christmas!
Man: Thanks, guys!
Woman 4: That was so nice!
Woman 2: Hey, look what I got! It’s a FRUITCAKE and CHOCOLATES!
How did they know?
I’m hungry, is it time for supper yet?
The whole cast returns on stage
And
Bows!
ENTIRE CAST SAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY and exits!