God of Salvation

God of Salvation – A Christmas Play in Two Acts, By Carolyn M. Hobbs

Time: 17^th Century days of merchant sailing vessels.

Places: Act I – Mid Sea

Act II – Simple home in England

Characters

Bailey: English merchant sailor. Christian

Big John: Hardened English sailor. Unbeliever.

Trawick: Sailor, crewmate.

Captain Blair: Captain of English Merchant sailing vessel, The Worchester.

Bowie: Sailor, crewmate.

Rockham: Sailor, crewmate.

Sanders: Sailor, crewmate.

Whitmore: Sailor, crewmate.

Cook: Cook aboard ship.

Morey: Young boy. Stowaway.

Elizabeth: Bailey’s wife.

Kathleen: Big John’s wife.

Jack: Bailey’s teenage son.

Jeannie: Bailey’s twelve-year-old daughter.

Mary: Bailey’s young daughter.

William: Bailey’s young boy.

Carolers: Choir (speak and sing). Can use a small group, but larger group effective

Synopsis: In a merchant ship race, gold is the reward for the crew that delivers its cargo to port first. The trusty old barometer forecasts a terrible storm. Mutiny rises when Capt. Blair orders all sails down. The Captain’ unquestioning trust of the barometer and his strong command saves crew and cargo. A touching story of the reuniting of loved ones on the Eve of Christmas. A clear illustration of God’s provision of salvation and the necessity for believing and explicitly

Trusting the Word of God.

Staging Notes

Act I: Ship platform with railing, mast, and other ship riggings may be placed on top of old tires stacked or inflated inner tubes to give effect of rocking motion of waves. Off-stage hands make boat rock and reel and lurch during storm. This floor rigging may be hidden by painted scenery of sea waves on front stage. Need lighting and sound effects for storm. Crew costumed for English sailors of that period. All characters speak in English dialect.

Act II: Simple Country-English décor in English living room. Characters dressed as for 17^th century period. Carolers enter in coats, stocking caps, etc.

Jesus Shall Reign, By Carolyn Hobbs

Portrayal of Herod's slaughter of the Innocents. His limited earthly reign is vividly contrasted to the omnipotent eternal reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. Clear Gospel presentation. Five scenes. Music suggested. 25 minutes. Twenty-six speaking parts; four non-speaking; choir. For Jr. High or High School.

Characters

Herod, the King

Queen

Flavius, Court Jester

Arioch, Court Jester

Squire

1^st Priest

2^nd Priest

3^rd Priest

Narrator

Woman

1^st Wise Man

2^nd Wise Man

3^rd Wise Man

4^th Wise Man

Mary

Joseph

Child Jesus (non-speaking)

Scribes (none speak)

Guard

Nine Speakers

Herod, Flavius, and Arioch – Large Speaking Parts

Additional walk-on parts may be used if desired as guards, Scribes to come in with Priests in Scene I, or throne attendants

SCENES

SCENE I – Throne Room. One-two years after birth of Christ

SCENE II – House of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Same time.

SCENE III – Throne Room. Some time later.

SCENE IV – Throne Room. Next day.

SCENE V – Throne Room. Few years later

Jangling Bells - By Carolyn Hobbs

Two Act Play. A proud desert sheik reviles a night thief but is shocked when the degraded thief expresses the same selfish thoughts as he. A caravan brings news of Messiah's birth. Both men are transformed by faith in Him. Isaiah 1:18 theme. 25 minutes. Seven parts for Jr. or Sr. High; two parts for Elementary plus Choir

Scene I – Nomad tent in desert. Low oriental table in front of tent. Palm trees. Goat hides stacked close to tree, Stage right Cheeses inside tent. Small goat tied Stage left. String of oriental brass bells hang by tent door. Family seated on ground at table. Mother rises to clear table.

Scene II – Same, next day. Husband gets up from breakfast, tightens tent ropes, etc. Wife cleaning up breakfast things. She goes to pick up dishes from in front of thief whose hands were untied for eating.

Characters

A pageant-play for the whole school or Sunday School. A successful but frustrated modern businessman finds the answer to his problems as he doses at his office desk. In his dream, the truth of Christ's love unfolds and brings about his salvation. Action, humor, and good music all clearly present the truth of the Gospel and the Christmas story. 25 minutes. Twelve speaking parts, Elementary and/or Jr. High; Choir(s).

Maggie Elderly but sharp charwoman. Dressed in exaggerated costume – Full, ill fitting dress; dusting cap with some hair stringing out; over sized man’s ankle top work shoes with stockings sagging around tops, etc. Mop, broom, rags, bucket, etc.

Other carols may be substituted for those suggested except for the title song, “His Love Is Wonderful.” An effective arrangement by Norman Johnson is available from Singspiration (ZJP8107). It may be obtained by writing to: Singspiration, Inc. Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508.

And office desk is located down center with the usual executive’s apparatus on it and one chair behind it. The desk is cluttered with business papers and a few Christmas cards. The action can all take place down stage. Multiple choirs are arranged around the playing area. A separate tableau area with special lighting is effective for the extra characters.

A Thanksgiving Pageant-Play for Christian Schools–Kindergarten through Elementary Grades

A modern version of "Over the River and Thru the Woods" brings the girls to a challenging review of our blessing and great heritage as Christians and Americans.

This effective play may be performed and incorporated into your existing Christmas program of music and readings. A modern, realistic family situation. Clear salvation message. Easy to stage. Five Jr. or Sr. High speaking parts; two female, three male. 15-20 minutes. Includes music for theme hymn, "Was It For Me?"

Brother: He is younger than sister and physically smaller. Upper elementary or junior high. He is seated as play opens.

Mother: In nice dress appropriate for a Christian mother. She is seated as play opens.

This play will provide you with the opportunity to present the Gospel in a clear manner to those who attend your Christmas Program. We presented it around our school program and have published it in that form. A clear Gospel message in your program will make the play that much more effective. We also used the hymn, “Was It For Me?”, to tie the program together. The hymn is public domain and we have included it with the script.

Our staging was simple. We had a small Living Room (Two chairs and a small table) set off to the side of our stage on a slightly raised platform. We had the area in light when the actors were on and in black when they exited. The actors exit their Living Room and then enter to watch the program along with your audience.

Setting: Living room of English orphan home. Simple furnishings of late 18th century. Fireplace, rockers, center stage. Kitchen type table and chairs on left stage. One Scene.

SCENE I - The kitchen/parlor of a large farmhouse in New England. Two little girls with their mother anxiously watch for Father and his sleigh. Ruth pretends to read. Sophy runs back and forth to the window looking out.

SCENE II - Hannah sits by fireplace knitting. Fred and Sophy cheerfully bring apples in and set them down. Ruth follows, still sullen.

SCENE III - Christmas morning. Breakfast table is set with napkins covering small gifts at each place. Sophy and Ruth enter stealthily in gowns and nightcaps, barefoot, looking every way to be sure they are not being watched.