Worship Programs

Theme:

"Hope of Earth, Joy of Heaven"

Second Sunday in Advent –

Drama

PROMISES

By Rebecca Phillips

Copyright September 2002

Lights up on a man and woman, positioned opposite sides of the stage. The woman, who represents the present day is pacing. Looks out, as though looking out a window. She sits with a cup of coffee and her Bible. She is disheveled and slowly waking up. Depressed. The man, who represents JOHN (the writer of the book of Revelation) sits as well. He is dressed simply. Earthy. He is writing with great energy and passion.

WOMAN

Great. Rain, again. This Christmas weather is depressing.

JOHN
It was unlike anything I ever saw – or ever will see again –

WOMAN

Lord, I need a vacation. A beach. Somewhere far away. Just need a change of pace.

JOHN

The vision was so close – so real – but so far away.

WOMAN

Hey God, for Christmas, I want you to build my mansion on a sandy beach. By a coffee shop – and no rain. Just blue skies.

WOMAN opens her Bible. WOMAN and JOHN, reading what he is writing:

WOMAN and JOHN

(writing and speaking with great enthusiasm)

“Then I saw a new earth – with no oceans – and a new sky, for the present earth and sky had disappeared.”

WOMAN
How’s that for a quick answer?! No oceans, huh?

JOHN

And the Lord continued to reveal this vision to me. . .

WOMAN
Maybe I’ll just run away to a beach here and live out the rest of my days.  (pause) Jack probably wouldn’t even notice that I am gone until it was time to eat. Why would he? I’m only his wife. (as though talking to God, looking “up”) Sorry. I know – honor my husband. But I know you know how he is, God.

WOMAN and JOHN

“And I, John, saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. It was a glorious sight, beautiful as a bride at her wedding.”

WOMAN
Beautiful bride. . . now that seems like so long ago. . .married now for 12 years – 3 kids, 20 extra pounds, and an emotionally absent husband who reminds me of how alone I really am.  I just feel so empty inside. Hollow. (pause)  It doesn’t help that You seem so far away.

WOMAN looks down, reads silently now as JOHN speaks. As he finishes this next line, WOMAN looks up, as though responding to The Word.

JOHN

“I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, the home of God is now among men, and He will live with them and they will be His people;”

WOMAN

This house creaks and groans with loneliness.

JOHN

“Yes, God himself will be among them.”

WOMAN
I know you say you are always with me –

JOHN

“He will wipe away all tears from their eyes,”

WOMAN

But Lord, I feel so dead inside –

WOMAN and JOHN

“and there shall be no more death,”

WOMAN

And I hurt –

WOMAN and JOHN

“nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain.”

WOMAN

I just wonder when the pain will end –

WOMAN and JOHN

“All of that has gone forever.”

JOHN has finished writing, sits back, and with an excited sigh:

WOMAN

Now that would be an amazing Christmas gift. No more pain. . .

JOHN
We have so much to look forward to –

JOHN and WOMAN

Lord, help me to hold on to your promises and trust you in the dark times.

JOHN

Your promises are true. You are alive!

(MUSIC SUGGESTION: KIRK FRANKLIN’S “LEAN ON ME”. CD: NU NATION)