HIT THE DIRT!
Dedicated to the Illinois National Guard 202nd Airborne Defense Battery Fox Trot
by Craig Castleberry
Scripture: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2: 8-12
Scene: Two men who are dressed casually in normal citizen attire / OR two men dressed up in military fatigues walk onto stage together. Helmets are optional. The audience is not supposed to know that these two men are shepherds at first, they will figure it out later. That is part of the fun!
Props: A long stick or staff would be a good prop for one or both men. The other could be carrying a cloth bag of some sort with something heavy in it.
(As the men walk on stage together, they will first appear as though they are guards.)
Guard 1: Everything seems to check out ok. We still have a good while on this shift.
Guard 2: Do you ever get sand up your nose?
Guard 1: Only after I get it in my ears and my hair and in my clothes and under my nails and...
Guard 2: Alright already!
Guard 1: Well, you asked. (Looking around while still standing guard)
Guard 2: And pretty sorry I did, too.
Guard 1: (Holds his fist up to silence the conversation)
Guard 2: (Whispering loudly) What is it?
(Both Guards stand frozen for a few seconds while the shepherd with the cane raises it up like a rifle. The Guard with the bag holds it up like a weapon and looks ridiculous as he and his buddy realize. So, he switches to the "Crane Technique" a la "The Karate Kid." This should get some laughs. After a few seconds more, both look up at the same time and Guard 1 yells out...)
Guard 1: INCOMING! (Yelling!)
Guard 2: HIT THE DIRT! (Yelling!)
(Both men drop to the floor with hands over their heads)
Guard 1: WHAT IS IT!? (Still yelling as if to be talking over a big noise.)
Guard 2: (Both faces are still to the ground as they yell) I’M STILL HITTING THE DIRT, MAC!
Guard 1: YOU ARE NO HELP! FINE, I WILL CHECK IT OUT. WE ARE STILL IN ONE PIECE. (He looks up and his face looks astonished)
Guard 2: I’LL TAKE THE BAD NEWS FIRST! BY THE WAY, I THOUGHT A GLOBAL HAWK CLEARED THIS WHOLE AREA AS SAFE!
Guard 1: Wait! (Voice toning down somewhat, still looking up) A message is coming in.
Guard 2: Thank God! It must be from Central Command. (Barely looking up)
Guard 1: "Fear not...Stop...There is some good news.
Guard 2: "Who is it for?"
Guard 1: "Everyone...and...A Savior has been born...Stop...It is Christ the Lord!..Dear God!
Guard 2: This is a miracle! Nothing like this has ever happened to me!
Guard 1: Even better...We have been given a sign...Something about a baby wrapped in cloths and He is in a manger. Do you hear that?
Guard 2: Yes, but it is so bright, I can barely make out who it is!
Guard 1: These must be angels!
Guard 2: It could still be Central Command.
Guard 1: Absolutely! (Smiling) These must be angels! They are praising God.
Guard 2: You must be right! I hear them. It is beautiful! (Both go to their knees with hands clasped)
Guard 1: Glory to God in the highest...Stop...And on earth...Peace...Peace...to everyone.
(Both men rise up slowly as hands begin to reach up as if to touch the angels as they leave.)
Guard 2: They are leaving. This is an unbelievable thing!
Guard 1: These two things must be important coming from angels. (Both still looking up)
Guard 2: And they are...
Guard 1: Giving glory to God...and peace on this earth. I want that peace.
Guard 2: I want to do my part.
Guard 1: As do I, my friend. We must go.
Guard 2: Where?
Guard 1: Would Central Command go to that much trouble just so we would sit around and watch sheep?
Guard 2: You have a point.
Guard 1: We will be the first to see the Savior!
Guard 2: Do you think we will be remembered in history?
Guard 1: Us? Shepherds in the night? The guardians of sheep? (Laughing as he puts his hand over the shoulder of his friend as they walk off stage) As they say in Bethlehem...Here today and gone tomorrow. Most likely, it will only matter if the Savior remembers us.
THE END
Study Questions
Can you imagine how afraid these men were?
I know very recently, many men and women have seen things they wish they never had. But, God is in control.
The same God is in control of every moment as He was the night He sent His heavenly messengers to common men...shepherds.
How excited were the shepherds once they heard the good news? Why are we not as excited today as these men were then? Do we not have the same good news?
Isn’t it interesting that the message proclaimed by the angels was 1) First...Glory to God. 2) Then...Peace to those who please God?
It is important to find favor in God’s eyes. The angels said it that night. And God will grant those who have found His favor...Peace. The shepherd was right. One day, it will only matter that the Savior remembers us. Merry Christmas to all of those who are in harm’s way. We love you and pray for you daily. Pray for peace.
© 2004 by Craig Castleberry
www.freechurchskits.com
Back to Home