Worship Programs

Theme:

"Hope of Earth, Joy of Heaven"

First Advent Sunday Drama

REALITY RODS

By Rebecca Phillips

Copyright September 2002

Lights up on TOM who is sitting lazily, reading his Bible. He is obviously bored and struggling to stay awake while he reads. (Scripture taken from LIVING BIBLE)

TOM

Hebrews 11:13-16: “These men of faith I have mentioned died without ever receiving all that God had promised them. . .”

(TOM stops reading) Now that stinks. I wonder what God promised them that was SO great?!

(continues reading) “but they saw it all awaiting them on ahead and were glad, for they agreed that this earth was not their real home but that they were just strangers visiting down here. And quite obviously when they talked like that, they were looking forward to their real home in heaven.”

(TOM stops reading again.) Real home? This earth was NOT their home? Heaven sounds like a bunch of aliens running around . . .

(continues reading, yawning) “If they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world. But they didn’t want to. They were living for heaven. And now God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has made a heavenly city for them.”

(TOM stops reading, closes his Bible.) Heavenly city. Sounds boring. No McDonalds. No movies. No nothing. If I were them, I would have gone back. This living for heaven seems a little flaky if you ask me.

TOM yawns, and puts his head down on his Bible and falls in to a deep sleep. Enter MOSES and NOAH. NOAH is wearing a raincoat and rain boots, carrying an umbrella. MOSES is carrying a big stick.

NOAH

Why are you still carrying that rod around? Pharaoh is history.

MOSES

You never know what you might encounter –

TOM snores, which frightens NOAH, who pops open his umbrella as a response.

MOSES

That wasn’t thunder. . .

NOAH

Do you have any idea the emotional trauma I had to work through over that whole thing? I can’t even take a shower without wearing a tool belt.

NOAH holding up his umbrella and MOSES holding up his rod:

NOAH and MOSES

Always gotta be prepared.

TOM awakens. Startled, he moves away from NOAH and MOSES.

TOM

Who are you –

NOAH and MOSES point the rod and umbrella at TOM as though defending themselves.

NOAH

Noah.

MOSES

Moses.

TOM

Right. And I’m Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

MOSES and TOM instantly relax and extend their hands to shake TOM’S.

MOSES and NOAH

Hello Mr. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

TOM

Seriously – who are you –

MOSES and NOAH respond by saying their names simultaneously, serious:

MOSES and NOAH

Moses. Noah.

TOM

Guys, come on, it’s not Halloween – it’s Christmas. Shouldn’t you be dressed like Wise men or shepherds or something like that?

MOSES

Shepherd? Wasn’t Jesse’s son a shepherd?

NOAH

You mean David?

MOSES

That’s right – good ol’ David. Did you hear that he’s getting new gold in his hallways? His mansion is really under renovation –

NOAH

I’m sorry Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, sir. We’re being rude – say, you wouldn’t happen to know the weather report, would you?

MOSES

Relax. (to TOM) He’ll be fine.

TOM

Actually, they’re calling for rain tonight.

NOAH

This was your bright idea to leave heaven – and now look – I’ve gotta build another ark.

MOSES

No worries. If the waters get too high, I’ll just raise my rod here and wham-o! Instant dry ground.

TOM

You guys are nuts.

NOAH

Nuts?

MOSES

Actually, we are men. Aren’t nuts a form of food?

TOM

So, you’re Moses and you’re Noah.

MOSES and NOAH

Right.

TOM

And you left heaven to come here.

MOSES and NOAH

Right.

NOAH

Moses thought it would be fun to wander around for another 40 years.

MOSES

You didn’t have to bring that up –

TOM

If you’re really from heaven, tell me one thing.

NOAH

(with a heavy sigh, as though embarrassed)

Ok. It’s true.

TOM and MOSES

What?!

NOAH

I DID bring 2 mosquitoes on board the ark – but only because God told me to –

MOSES

(sitting TOM back down in his chair)
Go ahead, Rudolph. Ask your question.

TOM

Is it really worth it? Living for Jesus, I mean? It all seems so – hard – sometimes.

MOSES and NOAH

Yes. He is the only reason for living.

MOSES

I think it was Peter who said that God’s boundless mercy gives you the privilege of being born again. . .

NOAH

We didn’t have it so good. We had to really, really, really behave – or God would have made us in to a greasy spot. He wasn’t in much of a good mood those days.

MOSES

“You are a member of God’s own family –

NOAH

And now you live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again from the dead.

MOSES

God has reserved for you the priceless gift of eternal life;

TOM yawns and lies his head back down on his Bible.

NOAH

(slightly softer in volume)

It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

MOSES

(placing his rod on the table beside TOM)
And God, in His mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting Him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see.”

As NOAH and MOSES exit, whispering:

NOAH

Mission accomplished. We should go.

MOSES

Yeah. I don’t want to be late for Daniel’s lion expedition. I heard he is going to actually floss their teeth this time.

NOAH

Do you really think it’s gonna rain?

TOM wakes up. Looks around.

TOM

(laughing to himself)

Silly dream.

TOM sees the rod. Picks it up.

Lights.