Just Another Birthday

Christmas is a birthday celebration unlike any other. But what does Jesus really want from us as we celebrate His birth?

In Just Another Birthday, Pastor Rich finds himself in an unexpected conversation with Jesus. What begins with some gentle humor about crowds and knowing everyone in the congregation soon turns toward Bethlehem, the shepherds, and that extraordinary night when the promised Saviour entered the world.

As Pastor Rich imagines the shepherds rushing to the stable, he begins to see something important. They did not arrive carrying expensive presents. They came themselves. Their presence, praise, and worship were precious gifts to Jesus.

This warm Christmas skit reminds us that we still have those same gifts to offer. Whatever our age and whatever we have, each of us can come to Jesus with love, respect, worship, and a life that seeks to follow Him.

 Cast: 2 (m or f)

• Pastor
• VOJ Voice of Jesus offstage

Bible Reference: Luke 2
Set: Bare
Sound: wireless mic
Song: none
Lighting: as available
SFX: none
Props:
Costumes: casual
Special Instructions:
Time: 6

Sample script:

actor comes on stage, listens to offstage voice

Jesus: Hurry, Pastor Rich, there’s a whole bunch of people in here and I for sure do want to see them and . . .

Pastor: Yes, I know there are lots of people but I don’t really like crowds of people and talking and them watching me and . . .

Jesus: Oh, come on, Pastor Rich, these are nice people and they all want to chat with us.

Pastor: You’re saying you know all these folks . . I mean, like every last one?

Jesus: Yes, that’s what I am saying and yes, that’s what I mean.

Pastor: Hey, hold on, like how could you know everyone? . . I mean, some of these people are new; they have never been in this church before, so how can . . . .?

Jesus: You are asking me . . how I . . can know everyone?

Pastor: Well yes, I mean, I don’t know everyone, so how can you possibly know everyone?

Jesus: Who are you . . . and what do you do?

Pastor, confused:

What do you mean? . . . You know who I am.

Jesus: Just answer my question, please. . . Who are you . . . and what do you do?

Pastor: I am Pastor Rich and I serve here at (name of) Church.

Jesus: Yes, you are. . . . Now then . . . Who am I and what do I do?

Pastor: Well . . You are Jesus . . and you are . . . well . . . you are . . like . . Lord of all.

Jesus: Very well put, Pastor Rich. . And since I am Lord of all . . And I am Lord of all, (points into audience), them as well.

Pastor: Wow! . . I never thought of that! . . So you would know them all . . Everyone!

Jesus: Yes, I would. . . And I do. . . That’s why I wanted to come here. . . Especially to see the children.

Pastor: Well, actually we have a child in our congregation who (will soon have or just has had) a birthday. And soon it will be your birthday too!

Jesus: Yes, birthdays are special.

Pastor: That word . . . birthday, . . it’s an interesting word. . . . Birthday. . . Birth . . day. . . As in . . . the day of your birth.

For sure, your birthday was very special. . . Tell me about the night you were born.

Jesus: Can you tell me about the day you were born?

Pastor: Well . . . a little, not much, just what my mom told me.

Jesus: I am no different.

Pastor, in awe: Your mom was Mary.

Jesus: Yes she was.

Pastor: That must have been incredible having Mary for your mother!

Jesus: Yes, it was, she was a good mother. . . . In the same way that you had a very good mother.

Pastor: And your father Joseph. . . Well . . . actually not your . . real . . father I guess.

Jesus: Joseph was my earthly father. . . And he was a good and effective, loving father.

Pastor: Tell me about that night in Bethlehem.

Jesus: Well, like I say, I only know about that night by what my Mother and others have told me. . . . But it was a very special and exciting night!

Pastor: I always think of the excitement among the shepherds when the angels announced that you had been born!

Jesus: Yes the shepherds were excited after they realized what the angel’s message meant. But I’m sure that the shepherds must have been very frightened at first by the bright lights of heaven, . . and by the sight and the songs of the angels.

Pastor: But the angel told the shepherds that they had nothing to be afraid of, that their message was very good news, for everyone. . . That you, the Messiah, had been born. But the shepherds must have been shocked to hear that you were born in a stable.

Jesus: Well, the town was full that night; the census had brought people to Bethlehem from all over the country. And by the time Joseph and my mother arrived in town all the hotels were full. The innkeeper was kind enough to let them stay in the stable out back.

Pastor: But in a . . barn? . . How could they send you to . . . a barn?

Want to see how the story unfolds? Get the complete script and bring this powerful moment to your stage.