Sunday School: The Advent Drama
Adapted from The Grumpy Shepherd by Paddie Devon, Abingdon Press, Nashville 1995.
Week/Scene 1
Characters: Narrator, Joram, the Grumpy Shepherd
Setting: A road near Bethlehem
Narrator (speaking to the congregation/children) I’d like to introduce you to someone. (Joram enters stomping his feet and staff. He continues to stomp around as the narrator continues.) This is Joram. He is a shepherd who lived in Bethlehem many, many years ago. He didn’t have any family and he lived alone. Most people avoided talking to him because he was always complaining. (Call out to Joram) How are you today, Joram?
Joram: Hrumfff. (Continue to grumble and stomp off stage.)
Narrator: Sounds really grumpy doesn’t he? There are many ideas about why Joram was so grumpy, but I think it was because he didn’t have any hope. There was no sense of possibility or new beginnings in his life. (Move to advent wreath.) When we light the first candle on the advent wreath that is what we celebrate: hope. Hope and possibility and new beginnings come to us through the life of Jesus.
Week/Scene 2
Characters: Narrator, Joram, An angel (or more), Other shepherds (if possible), Sheep (stuffed animals)
Setting: A campfire around which the shepherds, sheep and Joram gather
Narrator: I wonder how Joram is feeling today? (Joram enters and stomps around making grumpy hrumfffing sounds.) Do you think he’s as grumpy as he was last week?
Look at him stomp his feet. He sounds so grumpy. This week Joram and the other shepherds have taken the sheep high into the mountains. They don’t have time to return home and sleep in their beds each night. Instead they sleep around the campfire or in a little hut. Think how grumpy you get when you don’t sleep well at night. Can you understand how Joram feels? (Joram sits down at the campfire.)
Let me tell you this amazing thing that happened to Joram. As Joram sat around the campfire one night, there was suddenly a light so bright that Joram and the other shepherds were blinded. The shepherds covered their eyes with their hands, but still the light was as bright as the sun. The shepherds felt someone new was with them. They lifted their heads and they saw the shape of an angel appeared. The shepherds were terrified and fell to the ground cowering in fear. (Joram and shepherds cower.) A voice spoke to them:
Narrator or Angel (Angel recites line or can gesture as line is read): Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. A baby is born today. God’s people have been waiting for this baby. He is the king, the Messiah. Come and greet him. You will find him in a manger in Bethlehem.
Narrator: All the angels praised God saying:
Narrator or Angel (Narrator continues as angels gesture or angels recite together) Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth.
Narrator: When the angels left, Joram did not feel peace. He still felt afraid. Looking at the faces of the other shepherds Joram saw surprise and wonder, but Joram had only fear in his own heart. He could not believe that the angels came with good news. (Move to advent wreath.) On the second Sunday of advent we light the candle of peace and celebrate our belief that by following the way Jesus lived, there will be peace on earth.
Week/ Scene 3
Characters: Narrator, Joram, other shepherds, Mary, Joseph, baby in manger
Setting: Shepherds begin gathered together and walk finally arriving at the manger where Mary, Joseph and the baby are resting.
Other shepherd: Joram, are you coming with us?
Joram: It’s so far to Bethlehem. It’s the middle of the night. I don’t want to walk that far.
Other Shepherd: Are you sure you don’t want to come?
Joram: Sigh. What choice do I have. If you’re going, I have to go. I can’t take care of the sheep by myself. It’s too dangerous to stay here by myself. (Continuing to grumble, Joram stands and begins walking toward Bethlehem with the shepherds . Option: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or other music plays softly in background until shepherds arrive at manger scene. Joram lags behind as shepherds walk.
Other Shepherd pointing: Look! Look! There’s the manger! Hurry up, Joram! We’re almost there. (Shouting happily, the shepherd runs to the manger scene and falls on his knees in silence before the baby. Joram finally arrives still grumbling. At first he hangs back and then hesitatingly, looks over the head of the other shepherd/s. Joram turns to the congregation, throws up his arms and beams with joy. Joram continues to smile as he turns back and forth between the congregation and the manger gesturing toward the baby.
Narrator: (Moving toward Advent Wreath.) On the third Sunday of Advent we light the candle of joy. We are reminded of Isaiah 35. Joram’s eyes have been opened; he understands the meaning of hope, possibility and new beginnings. The glory of the Lord, the majesty of God lies before him and he is filled with joy.
Week/ Scene 4
Characters: Narrator, Joram, other shepherds, Mary, Joseph, baby in manger, (Wise Men and angels, if available)
Setting: At the manger
Narrator: Joram, the Grumpy Shepherd may need a new name. Look at him! (Joram is rushing around the scene offering water to Mary and Joseph, petting the sheep, peeking in the manger at baby Jesus.) On the fourth Sunday of Advent we light the candle of love. Another name for Jesus, ‘Emmanuel’ means God is with us. Joram’s heart feels the presence of God with him. With love in his heart Joram's life is changed. He’s no longer Joram, the Grumpy Shepherd. He’s now Joram, the Joyous Shepherd. As we gather together here today, do you hear? Can you see? Do you want to jump and shout with joy, "Emmanuel, God is with us!"?
Narrator: As we gather together here today, do you hear? Can you see? Do you want to jump and shout with joy, "Emmanuel, God is with us!"? When we are open to God in our life, when we are ready to serve God full heartedely out of the love in our heart , like Joram we will be filled with teh hope, peace, joy and love that we remember each advent season as we light the advent wreath and as we wait expectantly for the birth of the baby king. Let us rejoice shouting "God is with us, 'Emmanuel'! And let us go and serve God full heartedely always. and the people say,
All: Amen
All sing: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"