ASK ALBERT
-
A Christmas skit - © Sue Found, 1991.
(Use names of the players where there are numbers below)
#1 (First Student) It looks like you're still working on that science project. Is it almost finished?
#2 (Second Student) I just have to give it a test run. We've been so busy at school with all of the Christmas activities that I haven't had time to see if it really works.
#1 Well,
our class got second place in tree decorating but we got first place
in the song
contest. I really like singing Christmas songs, but have you ever
stopped to think about the words? Everything is centered around a baby born
2000
years ago. Have you ever wondered if what they say about Jesus is true, if
maybe He really is God?
#2 I don't know. The part about Jesus bringing peace on earth doesn't make much sense to me. If it was true, wouldn't there be peace today? Just look at the newspaper, it's full of nothing but bad news. If there is an all powerful God, like Christians say, why is there so much suffering - all over the world?
#1 That's a good question.
#2 Hey, I know lets ask Albert!
#1 Who's that?
#2 That's the name I gave my new portable information / time machine. I named it after my hero, Albert Einstein. Let me show it to you.
#1 Wow, it looks complicated.
#2 Not really. It's easy to operate if you just follow this instruction book. (Penney catalog) See, I'll just set this dial for information and then type in the question. “Why is the Earth in such a mess?” Now, the unique thing about this machine is that, in a matter of seconds, Albert will transport us to the actual time and location that we need to observe the answer to our question. All I have to do is switch on the transport dial. Here, put on this helmet.
#1 What's that for?
#2 Just a safety precaution. Who knows how many thousands of kilometers and how many thousands of years we'll be traveling in a few seconds. You don't want to walk on the scene with messed up hair, do you?
#1 You're right. Give me the helmet.
#2 OK. Here goes the switch.
#1 Wow, that was quick. When and Where do you think we are?
#2 According to Albert we're...just a few months after - after the creation of the world!
#1 Really?
#2 And we're in a garden - called Eden.
#1 I think I hear some people talking over there.
#2 Couldn't be. Wasn't it billions of years before man evolved? If my science book is right these plants aren't here either.
#1 If Albert is right they're going to have to make a few minor revisions in science textbooks.
#2 Ouiet. I want to hear what they're saying.
Adam: Where are you going, Eve?
Eve: Just over there by the fruit trees.
Adam: Remember, God told us not to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Eve: Adam, I know that! I just want to look at the fruit. Snake here was just wondering if it's ripe yet.
Snake: Did God really say not to eat this fruit? Maybe He just told you that because He knows if you eat this delicious fruit you'll be wise like Him. Just a little bite can't hurt. Have a taste and see for yourself.
Eve: Adam, look, I ate the forbidden fruit. It's OK to disobey God. We can do anything we want. Here, it's delicious.
God: Adam, Eve, it's time for our daily talk.
Adam: It's God. Let's hide. Maybe He knows we did the one thing he told us not to do.
God: Adam, you and Eve have believed the lie of the devil. You have chosen to go your own way, to disobey Me. And now you will pass on that disobedient nature to all of your descendants. They too will turn away from Me just as you have. They will believe the devil’s lies.
Snake: It's so easy to trick these humans. Hee, hee. They'll believe almost anything. Let me show you some of the things I've gotten people to trust in and worship in place of the true God. (Grabs Albert)
#2 Hey, be careful with that!
Snake: Don't worry. You can trust me. Hee, hee. Here we go.
(Scenes switch to people worshiping the sun - animals - totem poles - images - people - money.)
#1 (Looking at Snake) You're behind all that?
Snake It's nothing, really. You see, everyone who ever lived has known deep inside that there is a God. I've just shown them a counterfeit and most people fall for it.
#2 I see what you mean. ,
Snake: I'll tell you a little secret. I've got a special formula for making people really miserable. When they look for meaning and purpose in life I just give them a mirror and tell them they are the most important creature on earth, just a pinch of pride. I tell them that they should spend their lives doing whatever feels good, a smidgeon of selfishness. Then I point out that if they just had enough money and power they would be happy, mixing in a little greed.
#1 It's not all that hard to believe. But that doesn't sound like what Jesus taught.
Snake: It's the exact opposite. But humans fall for it all the time. Give me that machine again. I'll show you some of the end results.
(Scenes of people fighting with clubs - bow and arrow - swords - guns - bombs.)
#2 Stop! I've seen enough!
Snake: Come on, let me take you to some of my favorite places, Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia, Central America, the Middle East...
#2 No.
Give me that! There must be some hope!
Snake: There isn't! Man is doomed to death and punishment. Hee, hee.
#1
Ask Albert if there is any way or escape.
Snake: NO! I told you there wasn't. (Snake tries to grab Albert, but #1
holds him back)
#2
What about the peace that Jesus talked about?
Snake: Jesus! Don't use that name! Not that name!
(Snake
trembles with fear and retreats.
#2 begins
typing)
#2 Is there any hope for the world?
#1 What year is this?
#2 630 BC and we're in Palestine.
Isaiah: A virgin will have a child and she will call His name Immanuel, meaning
God with us. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. A child
will
be born to us. His name will be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God,
eternal Father, prince of peace. All of us are like sheep who have gone astray,
each of us has turned away from God and gone his own way, but the Lord has made
the
sin of all to fall on Him.
Micah: The one who will be great to the ends of the earth , who will be our peace, will come from Bethlehem.
#1 Sounds like they're talking about Jusus, but that's hundreds or years before he was born. Those men must have been prophets.
#1 Now where are we?
#2 Can't you tell. Look that's the virgin Mary.
Angel: Do not be afraid Mary. You will have a son and you will name Him Jesus, meaning Savior. He will be a king and His kingdom will have no end.
Zachariah: This child Jesus will help free those who live in darkness and fear of death. He will guide us in the path that goes toward peace.
(Manger scene)
#1 This looks like we're back at my church Christmas program when I was a little kid.
#2 But we're really in Bethlehem, 1 AD. This is the real thing!
#1 Wow, wait till I tell my class!
#2 I know that Jesus grew up to be a great teacher. They say He did lots of miracles and could even heal people.
#1 Sure, but didn't his own people have Him put to death? It doesn't make sense. Ask Albert why Jesus came to earth in the first place.
#2 OK. (types) Why did Jesus come to earth?
Jesus; I did not come to have people serve me, but to serve others and to give My life as a ransom for many...I have come into the world to tell people the truth...I came to give life, life in all its fullness...I am the good shepherd. I give my life for the sheep. No one has taken it away from Me. I gave my life and I have the authority to take it up again. (Matt. 20:28, John 18:37, John 10:10,18)
#1 I remember now. In Sunday School I heard a teacher say that Jesus died to pay the penalty for the sins we commit.
#2 Like when we go along with the snake's suggestions?
#1 That’s right. And then I remember they said He became alive again and if we trust in Him He will forgive our sins. But up to now I never thought I had sins that needed forgiving.
#2 So Christians believe He is actually still alive. But we can't see Him now.
I'm going to ask Albert if people will ever be able to see Jesus again, like they did 2000 years ago. (Types question) Wow! This looks like something out of Star Wars! (People in futuristic style cloths, robot) There's no numbers on the date read-out. This is crazy! It just says SECOND COMING OF JESUS!
Jesus: I have returned as I said I would. (All kneel) #3, stand up.
#3 Jesus, take me to heaven with you.
Jesus: Why should I do that, #3?
#3 Well Jesus, you know everything. You know that my behavior has been much better than most people's behavior. I give money to charity, sometimes...and...and I stop my motorcycle when the light is red...usually.
Jesus: You said I know everything, #3.
#3 Uh, well then I guess you know that I have been a little selfish, at times. And maybe a bit disrespectful. Just the usual things that everyone does, though.
Jesus: Did you know about Me, #3?
#3 I think most people have heard about You, but You know my family wouldn't have approved if..... (Walks away, dejected)
Jesus: Hello, #4
#4 I'm so happy to see you Jesus. I'm looking forward to going to heaven with You.
Jesus Why should I take you to heaven, #4?
4: Oh Jesus, it's not that I deserve to go to heaven. I have done many things wrong, but I know that You came to earth to suffer and die to pay the price for the bad things I've done and You have forgiven me.
Jesus: That's right #4. You have the forgiveness that I earned for you on the cross. Come with me.
#1 I understand. Switch us back to (current year).
#2 Now that we know why the world is in such a mess and what's going to happen in the future, all we have to be concerned about is the present.
#1 That's ALL!!! Hey #2, what do you think would happen if we became Christians?
#2 I'll ask.
(Christmas of current year)
CNN Reporter #1, #2, I represent CNN TV news. Can I ask you a few questions.
#1 & #2 Of course.
Reporter It has been nearly a year now since you two first tested the famous Albert information/time machine. And today some historical research societies are busy examining new data.
#1 That's true, but most people still continue to reject the truth.
Reporter: Tell us, what has your life been like since your earth shaking discovery?
#2 Well, we have since found that what Albert revealed to us is also written in the Bible.
#1 And both of us have become followers of Jesus.
Reporter: What difference has that made in your lives?
#2 Actually, at first, it didn't seem to make much difference at all. We thought that the Christian life was really easy - just put your trust in Jesus and look forward to going to heaven when you die.
#1 It
wasn't too long before we began to realize that there was more involved
in
following Jesus than this.
#2 But then the snake suggested that the only way to please Jesus was to get
involved in every Christian activity we heard about both at school and at
church. He also pointed out a lot of rules that we had to follow.
#1 That was really difficult. Before long we were worn out and still not sure we had done enough.
#2 I guess we thought that Christianity was just like other religions that expect you to go through rituals and keep rules.
Reporter: Well, isn't it?
#1 Lots of people must think that. But I can remember the day that our pastor explained to us that the Christian life isn't easy, or difficult, but actually impossible.
#1 At first I thought this was another one of the snake's lies. But Pastor went on to explain that without Jesus it's impossible to please God. Jesus not only gives us a moral standard, He gives us the will and the strength to do the right thing.
#1 And He died on the cross to forgive us when we do the wrong thing.
#2 No wonder it was so difficult when we tried to live the Christian life on our own, without God's power.
Reporter: And now?
#1 Now we've found the Christian life very exciting. Jesus helps us in our never-ending battle with the snake.
#2 We've found that Jesus did bring peace, not to the whole world, but to those who trust in Him.
#1 That's because we know that He is alive and with us.
#2 And that He loves us unconditionally. He oves us enough to die so that we can have forgiveness and freedom.
Reporter: Freedom?
#2 Yes, freedom from the evil powers of the snake, and freedom to do what is right - to love God and to love others.
#1 Thank you so much for giving us a chance to share our story with you. I just wish we could spread the good news to everyone.
Reporter: Well, we have it on film, but there's no guarantee the network will run it. This time of year everyone's more interested in shopping and parties.
#2 Instead of celebrating the birth of the Savior.
(Back to
current year)
(Snake puts
on a human mask and calls to #1 & #2.)
Snake: Hey fellows, where have you been? Listen, I've got a great idea for a way for us to skip out of the Christmas assembly tomorrow.
Pastor: #1, #2, You're just the two I've been looking for. Could you give us some help handing out programs for the assembly tomorrow morning?
(fl and #2 look at each other undecided)
THE END