The Manger Spotlight
by Craig Castleberry
Theme: We should be Christ-centered...Not self-centered
Scripture: For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3: 16-17
Scene: (Opens on a stage with actors dressed up in biblical costumes. The scene begins with a rehearsal for all cast members. In the center of the stage is a baby in the manger.)
Cast: Joseph / Wise Man / Shepherd / Mary
Props: Manger / Baby doll wrapped in cloth in the manger/ Spotlight or high-powered flashlight / Set can be more elaborate with a wooden backdrop painted to look grayish and old or maybe even more like a cave / Hay scattered around would be a nice touch but you may want to place burlap underneath so you can roll it later keeping the hay from getting all over the place / Plus the burlap will give the set a warmer and more realistic feel if necessary / Each actor should have a script to hold.
Opening: (Joseph, Wiseman and Shepherd are all standing in position with Joseph 5 feet stage left of the manger, the Wiseman downstage left and Shepherd downstage right. These positions can change. A spotlight goes up on the manger...Much lower lighting can be brought up to see the actors)
Joseph: Are we ready to get this thing going?
Wiseman: Yeah, I have a long drive back tonight, I AM a Wiseman you know.
Shepherd: Well, just remember wise guy that I made it to the baby before you did...WAY before you did!
Joseph: He does have a point there. (The spotlight remains on the manger)
Wiseman: (Looking at the Shepherd) OK, but who is the one who brought the gifts? Huh? Huh? All you brought was a cane and a strange odor.
Shepherd: Hey, watch it, I am a member of the actor’s guild you know.
Joseph: (Yelling up to the spotlight operator) Hey, you with the spotlight, you better make adjustments before they start hurting each other. (Laughing to himself)
Shepherd: That light hasn’t moved since we got on stage!
Wiseman: (Yelling up to the spotlight operator) Can you check my make-up here on stage? The only way we can do that is to point the light this way. (Light still remains on the manger)
Shepherd: I think my hair might be a little out of place, could you swing that light over here and tell me how it looks? Does it look straight?
Joseph: (Addressing the spotlight operator once again) Come on now, is anybody up there? Listen, if you could just focus that on me for a few minutes...then I will be able to do what I need to get done.
Wiseman: Look, it is really important that people see the gift I am bringing to the child.
Shepherd: Hey! Don’t forget the angels sang to me personally and that is why I am here.
Joseph: I can’t work under these conditions (He throws his script on the floor and stomps off stage)
Wiseman: Alright, I can see the focus of this thing is clearly not on me. I quit! Your people need to get in touch with my people! (Addressing the spotlight...Throws his script up in the air and leaves quickly)
Shepherd: My SHEEP were definitely better company! (Rolls up his script and uses it as a megaphone and holds it up to his mouth yelling at the spotlight) Baaaaaaaaaa! (Making the sound of a sheep and them storms off stage)
(Spotlight remains on the manger as Mary enters from upstage and approaches the manger. She bends over and gently picks up the baby and cradles him and then moves offstage slowly and the spotlight follows them offstage...The only time the spotlight moves.)
THE END
Study Questions
When was the only time the spotlight moved?
Do we often forget that Christ is the focus and not ourselves?
As Christ was center stage, our lives should have Him center stage.
The actors were irritated that they could not have any light. What would have happened if they went to the baby? They would have had plenty of light!
Is it easy to miss the point of Christmas? How can we stay focused?
© 2004 by Craig Castleberry
www.freechurchskits.com