Script

Pastor: Good evening boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good evening to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good evening, Sammy!

Sammy: Guess what guess what guess what!

Pastor: What, Sammy? You seem really excited to tell us something.

Sammy: You are never going to believe what I saw!

Pastor: What did you see, Sammy?

Sammy: I was sleeping, okay? I was all curled up next to my maaamaaa and then all of a sudden, someone turned on the sun in the middle of the night.

Pastor: Someone turned on the sun?

Sammy: Yes! The sky was that bright! First there was darkness and little twinkly stars and then boom! A light as bright as the sun filled the sky. So of course I woke up. And you are never going to believe what happened next.

Pastor: Please tell us.

Sammy: I saw angels fill the sky. One angel named Gabriel told all of us: my maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds something really special.

Pastor: What did he say?

Sammy: Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: ¹¹ to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah,^[b] the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” I just stood there with my mouth hanging open.

Pastor: What else happened?

Sammy: Well then the angels started singing! They sounded so good. Just like our choir here at St. Paul’s.

Pastor: Well what happened next?

Sammy: Are you serious, Pastor Jim? Of course I had to go see the baby. I love babies.

Pastor: Who went to go see the baby?

Sammy: My maaamaaa, my cousins, and aunts and uncles, and even farmers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and the shepherds, too. We all went.

Pastor: And, what did you think?

Sammy: The baby was so cute. His momma and dada wrapped him up in swaddling clothes just like the shepherds use for lambs and laid him in the manger—just like the manger I eat from. He’s a lamb just like me! But you know, Pastor Jim, I could tell that there is something really special about this baby.

Pastor: What do you mean?

Sammy: This baby is no ordinary baby. This baby shone brighter than all of the angels in the night sky. And I felt such peace when I laid down in front of the manger. And I knew in my heart that even I, a little lamb, am so loved.

Pastor: Sammy, you witnessed the greatest event in the history of man. God is with us. A savior is born to us. Boys and girls, let’s pray: Dear Jesus: Thank you for being with us. Thank you for guiding us. Thank you for coming to earth as a baby. Thank you for your love. Amen.

Sammy: I have a gift for each of the boys and girls here today. I have a little lamb for each of you to adopt into your family to remind you how much Jesus loves you. Pastor Jim, can you give everyone a lamb please?

Pastor Jim: Merry Christmas, Sammy!

Sammy: Merry Christmas, Pastor Jim! Merry Christmas and girls!

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, happy last Sunday in Advent!

 

Pastor: Happy last Sunday in Advent to you, too, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Do you know what that means, Pastor?

 

Pastor: What does that mean, Sammy? 

 

Sammy: IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS! YAY!

 

Pastor: Yes it is. Woah. Try to contain your excitement everyone. Why are you all so excited for Christmas?

 

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I am excited because we get to celebrate Jesus coming to earth as a tiny baby to save us from our sins. And I love the music on Christmas Eve. And I love the candles. And the smell of Christmas trees. And I love Christmas cookies. 

 

Pastor: I love the Christmas cookies, too, Sammy.

 

Sammy: I know, Pastor. Probably a little too much.

 

Pastor. Sammy, one of the things you mentioned is so important. Christmas is all about Jesus. Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby. 

 

Sammy: He is a very special baby.

 

Pastor: Yes he is.

 

Sammy: Why is he so special?

 

Pastor: Jesus was a special baby because his father is God and he was born fully God and fully man. He is both. And he was born to a very special lady. Her name was Mary. 

 

Sammy: I love Mary Pastor Jim. Thinking of her taking care of Jesus makes me think of my own maaamaaa.  

 

Pastor: And she should. Jesus needed everything other babies needed

 

Sammy: Like milk, and snuggles?

 

Pastor: Exactly Sammy. Jesus was human like us. He needed everything we needed. And he suffered everything we suffered. Can everyone pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for becoming man for us. Thank you for showing us how to be more like you. We love you. Amen. 

 

“And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.  And He wondered at their unbelief.  And He was going around the villages teaching” (Mark 6:5-6).

This passage makes us think that the Lord will not force Himself upon anyone.  He can do things, but in the face of unbelief, He seems to do nothing.  He has come to grow in us faith and trust in Him.  What good would more provision do to cause a heart to have faith when all that has already been done has been rejected?  The Lord has come to grow in us faith, trusting in Him.  Trust cannot be forced.

Lord, I know that all things are possible with You, but there are times when nothing happens in my life, even though I am asking.  Am I that weak in faith that You will not act until I learn to trust You?  Rather than seeking from my own mind’s eye, help me come to the place of faith where I learn to trust that with You all things are possible.  Guide me in Your grace to see the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You have sent me into the world with a testimony of the truth You have revealed through grace.  I often encounter unbelief.  Lead me to see and believe all that You have shown me.  Despite those around me trying to lead me astray, help me to be faithful to You above all things.  Guide me in this faith You have given me knowing that all things have always been in Your hands.  You alone are the Savior of all who will believe.  Amen.