Mission Christmas: Act 1
M: Well Gabriel, this could be the toughest mission yet. The Boss has just told me that we're going to see the Salvation of humans.
G: Gowns and Glory! Salvation of humans? They’re going to be set free from all those things that drag them down and make their lives miserable – like their fear of failure and guilt and meaninglessness and death? They’ll be able to start again – free from sin – to be really happy at last. The whole earth has been waiting for this...
(Going on a rant...) Some of us thought it was Mission Impossible, others that it was Mission Impractical - I mean, why save humans anyway? I mean it was their decision to turn their backs on Him, to do their own thing, which was what got them all into such a mess in the first place.
M: OK, OK , calm down! I know. And, yes, I know He also gave them a clear warning about what would happen. They knew the mess they'd be in. But you know as well as I do how all this has affected him. How he still loves them, as any father would still love his children, and would want to do anything to save them.
G: Shame they can't see the Boss the way we can.
M: And shame they don't know how much The Boss wants to see them, too. But that's why He's set up this mission of salvation.
G: A mission of Salvation. What's he calling it, this Mission Impossible?
M: Oh it's a lot harder than Mission Impossible; even Tom Cruise can complete that. No, this is Mission Christmas.
G: Mission Christmas? Great! Really Catchy! Fantastic! Eh... what does it mean?
M: Well, let me tell you what I've found out so far... Nothing.
G: Nothing?
M: Nothing! And I'm an Archangel. If I was prone to human feelings, I'd be in danger of feeling slightly miffed. If I had a nose, it might be out of joint.
G: Well, hold on. I'm an Archangel too, and I know as much as you do. There must be good reason for the Boss to keep this on the down low...
M: The 'Need to know'...
G: Exactly. The Salvation of humans is The Boss's biggest plan. Which means the Enemy is going to want to spoil it.
M: (Looking round) The Enemy!!
G: (Looks round too) Yes, the Enemy! Mr D! You know how jealous he is, and how he hates humans and loves seeing them missing out on the Boss's love.
M: Since The Enemy turned his back on The Boss there has been nothing but trouble. I know how strong he is. Once I had to fight with him for 3 weeks in order to carry out a mission. The Boss better choose someone powerful for Mission Christmas, if it's going to work.
G: Well who could be more powerful than you, Michael? If humans are going to accept Mission Christmas, The Boss is going to need a mighty warrior, a clear sign of His awesome and eternal power. There must be no doubt that this is it... God’s power come to earth.
Tannoy: Calling Gabriel to the Throne Room. Come immediately to receive instructions.
G: Wings and Wonders! That's a call from The Boss. Best be off. I wonder if this will be about Mission Christmas?
Mission Christmas: Act 2
G: Michael! Come quick. The Boss has just told me all about Mission Christmas. It's about to happen.
M: Crowns and Crystal! Tell me, how's it going to happen?
G: Well, it's just like you said. The Boss is going to leave no doubt about His awesome, eternal power. He's giving a clear sign so all humans can trust him to set them free from fear and misery and death.
M: So am I going to get called into the Throne Room now to get instructions, or are you going down in glory to show humans The Boss's power?
G: Eh... No, it's neither of us. God is going down himself, to meet humans face to face and show them how loving and powerful He is.
M: Harps and Haloes- that's Brilliant! How's He going to do it? Trumpets? Thunder? Lightening? Fire? I can't wait to see.
G: Well... no... not quite... In fact it starts with a girl called Mary. She's engaged to marry a man called Joseph. Look! Here they come now.
(Mary and Joseph enter the tableau)
M: OK...Does she have the thunder?
G: Look! I know how much you love thunder, but could you just forget about it for a moment. In fact I think you’ll need to put all your other misconceptions to one side too. I'm going to tell her some shock news. She's going to have a special baby, a son.
M:Oh, oh, OK. The Boss knows best, I suppose. How do you know it's a boy?
G: God has promised him. Listen to the words of this ancient prophesy:
Reading 1:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
M: Oh! That Prophesy! I see.
G: Yes, and the boy is going to be a king, from the line of David.
M: Has that been promised, too?
G: Yes, many years ago - listen:
Reading 2:“He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and holding it with justice and righteousness.”
G: And, what’s more, God is going to be his real Daddy. There's a promise about that, too. Listen to God talking through His prophet, Hosea:
Reading 3:“Out of Egypt I called my son.”
M: So presumably Mary and Joseph are going to live in Egypt for a while?
G: Yes! Well done! You’re getting it now. They have to escape the anger of a nasty king. He knows some of God's promises and feels threatened by God's new King.
M: So which king is this and where does he reign?
G: His name is Herod and he rules over Judea, which includes Bethlehem, where the baby is promised to be born.
(enter Herod, who sits on the minister's chair.)
Herod: Grrrr!
M: But, hang on, Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth, how are they going to get to Bethlehem?
G: Well, the Boss has taken care of that detail, too. Listen to what Luke tells us in the Bible...
Reading 4: Luke 2:1,3-5. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him.”
M: So, let me get this straight. Joseph is still with Mary, despite finding out she's pregnant?
G: Yes, yes, yes! The Boss himself appeared to Joseph in a dream to reassure him that everything was OK. Perhaps He also reminded Joseph of another promise He once made, through His prophet Isaiah. Listen:
Reading 5:“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.”
M: Kings and Choirs! It’s all beginning to make sense now. The Boss seems to know exactly what He's doing here. What a miracle! Who has ever heard of such a thing? And the name Emmanuel, why, that means 'God With Us'. Why didn’t I see it before? It’s such an obvious clue that God is coming to set them free. With all these promises, they must be queuing up in the Temple to see the special child arrive.
G: Ah well... Actually... There’s no queue
M: No Queue?
G: And no Temple.
M: No queue and no Temple?
G: Yes, you see, (whispering) Mission Christmas is a secret for now.
M: What?
G. (whispering) Mission Christmas is a secret for now
M. What?
G. (shouting) MISSION CHRISTMAS IS A SECRET FOR NOW !
M. Shhhh!
G. Sorry. You see the plan is for just a few people to see the baby in his manger. We're going to sing to the shepherds now, to tell them the good news. Care to join us?
M: Arg! No manger and no shepherds! This will never do. We can't allow The Boss's boy to be born in a Bethlehem barn! (shouts the 'B's in G's face) This Mission Christmas is getting harder and harder to understand.
G: No. Manger and shepherds! That's the orders. The Boss knows what He's doing. Remember all the promises. We can be in no doubt. Here comes the angel choir. Are you coming with us?
M: Oh, I suppose so...
(Angels enter and sing Glory to God! Then angels join the tableau) Lonies?
G: I love singing with the choir! What a joyful sound. Looks like the shepherds heard us. Here they come.
(Shepherds enter and join the tableau)
G: And other unlikely visitors are on their way. Listen...
Reading 6: Matthew 2:9-11. “The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
G: 3 gifts and 3 more promises. Gold for a king- the King of Heaven. Frankincense for a priest- bridging in the gap between God and humans. Myrrh for death- Salvation can only come to humans through the death of God's perfect son.
(Wise Men enter)
M: Tribes and Trumpets! Let me try to sum up what we've seen. Mission Christmas: An impossible mission laid on a tiny baby; A baby fulfilling impossible promises. Except that this baby is the Boss himself, in human form, and for him, nothing is impossible.
G: So Mission Christmas is under way at last. I can't wait to see how the humans are going to respond. Will they get on board with this one, or will they turn away? Because the mission is not just for Bethlehem, or for Judea, it’s for the whole world – even Liberton!
M: Liberton? Did you say Liberton?
G:Yes, I’ve always had a soft spot for Liberton. Hang on! Do you feel an “Away in a manger” coming on?
M: I most certainly do!
Mission Christmas: Act 1
M: Well Gabriel, this could be the toughest mission yet. The Boss has just told me that we're going to see the Salvation of humans.
G: Gowns and Glory! Salvation of humans? They’re going to be set free from all those things that drag them down and make their lives miserable – like their fear of failure and guilt and meaninglessness and death? They’ll be able to start again – free from sin – to be really happy at last. The whole earth has been waiting for this...
(Going on a rant...) Some of us thought it was Mission Impossible, others that it was Mission Impractical - I mean, why save humans anyway? I mean it was their decision to turn their backs on Him, to do their own thing, which was what got them all into such a mess in the first place.
M: OK, OK , calm down! I know. And, yes, I know He also gave them a clear warning about what would happen. They knew the mess they'd be in. But you know as well as I do how all this has affected him. How he still loves them, as any father would still love his children, and would want to do anything to save them.
G: Shame they can't see the Boss the way we can.
M: And shame they don't know how much The Boss wants to see them, too. But that's why He's set up this mission of salvation.
G: A mission of Salvation. What's he calling it, this Mission Impossible?
M: Oh it's a lot harder than Mission Impossible; even Tom Cruise can complete that. No, this is Mission Christmas.
G: Mission Christmas? Great! Really Catchy! Fantastic! Eh... what does it mean?
M: Well, let me tell you what I've found out so far... Nothing.
G: Nothing?
M: Nothing! And I'm an Archangel. If I was prone to human feelings, I'd be in danger of feeling slightly miffed. If I had a nose, it might be out of joint.
G: Well, hold on. I'm an Archangel too, and I know as much as you do. There must be good reason for the Boss to keep this on the down low...
M: The 'Need to know'...
G: Exactly. The Salvation of humans is The Boss's biggest plan. Which means the Enemy is going to want to spoil it.
M: (Looking round) The Enemy!!
G: (Looks round too) Yes, the Enemy! Mr D! You know how jealous he is, and how he hates humans and loves seeing them missing out on the Boss's love.
M: Since The Enemy turned his back on The Boss there has been nothing but trouble. I know how strong he is. Once I had to fight with him for 3 weeks in order to carry out a mission. The Boss better choose someone powerful for Mission Christmas, if it's going to work.
G: Well who could be more powerful than you, Michael? If humans are going to accept Mission Christmas, The Boss is going to need a mighty warrior, a clear sign of His awesome and eternal power. There must be no doubt that this is it... God’s power come to earth.
Tannoy: Calling Gabriel to the Throne Room. Come immediately to receive instructions.
G: Wings and Wonders! That's a call from The Boss. Best be off. I wonder if this will be about Mission Christmas?
Mission Christmas: Act 2
G: Michael! Come quick. The Boss has just told me all about Mission Christmas. It's about to happen.
M: Crowns and Crystal! Tell me, how's it going to happen?
G: Well, it's just like you said. The Boss is going to leave no doubt about His awesome, eternal power. He's giving a clear sign so all humans can trust him to set them free from fear and misery and death.
M: So am I going to get called into the Throne Room now to get instructions, or are you going down in glory to show humans The Boss's power?
G: Eh... No, it's neither of us. God is going down himself, to meet humans face to face and show them how loving and powerful He is.
M: Harps and Haloes- that's Brilliant! How's He going to do it? Trumpets? Thunder? Lightening? Fire? I can't wait to see.
G: Well... no... not quite... In fact it starts with a girl called Mary. She's engaged to marry a man called Joseph. Look! Here they come now.
(Mary and Joseph enter the tableau)
M: OK...Does she have the thunder?
G: Look! I know how much you love thunder, but could you just forget about it for a moment. In fact I think you’ll need to put all your other misconceptions to one side too. I'm going to tell her some shock news. She's going to have a special baby, a son.
M:Oh, oh, OK. The Boss knows best, I suppose. How do you know it's a boy?
G: God has promised him. Listen to the words of this ancient prophesy:
Reading 1:“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
M: Oh! That Prophesy! I see.
G: Yes, and the boy is going to be a king, from the line of David.
M: Has that been promised, too?
G: Yes, many years ago - listen:
Reading 2:“He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and holding it with justice and righteousness.”
G: And, what’s more, God is going to be his real Daddy. There's a promise about that, too. Listen to God talking through His prophet, Hosea:
Reading 3:“Out of Egypt I called my son.”
M: So presumably Mary and Joseph are going to live in Egypt for a while?
G: Yes! Well done! You’re getting it now. They have to escape the anger of a nasty king. He knows some of God's promises and feels threatened by God's new King.
M: So which king is this and where does he reign?
G: His name is Herod and he rules over Judea, which includes Bethlehem, where the baby is promised to be born.
(enter Herod, who sits on the minister's chair.)
Herod: Grrrr!
M: But, hang on, Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth, how are they going to get to Bethlehem?
G: Well, the Boss has taken care of that detail, too. Listen to what Luke tells us in the Bible...
Reading 4: Luke 2:1,3-5. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him.”
M: So, let me get this straight. Joseph is still with Mary, despite finding out she's pregnant?
G: Yes, yes, yes! The Boss himself appeared to Joseph in a dream to reassure him that everything was OK. Perhaps He also reminded Joseph of another promise He once made, through His prophet Isaiah. Listen:
Reading 5:“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.”
M: Kings and Choirs! It’s all beginning to make sense now. The Boss seems to know exactly what He's doing here. What a miracle! Who has ever heard of such a thing? And the name Emmanuel, why, that means 'God With Us'. Why didn’t I see it before? It’s such an obvious clue that God is coming to set them free. With all these promises, they must be queuing up in the Temple to see the special child arrive.
G: Ah well... Actually... There’s no queue