Christmas skit, Relief Society
(unknown)
Begin in Relief Society Room
Opening Song: Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus, page 36 in Children’s Song Book (sang by a handful of Primary age children)
Move to parking lot. Samuel, the Lamanite stands on church’s wall fence in costume. He is flooded with lights. (We used a YM drama student. He memorized the whole thing and recited while freezing up on the wall.)
Narrator:
And it came to pass that in this year there was one Samuel, a Lamanite, came into the land of Zarahemla, and began to preach unto the people. And it came to pass that he did preach, many days, repentance unto the people, and they did cast him out, and he was about to return to his own land.
But behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, that he should return again, and prophesy unto the people whatsoever things should come into his heart.
And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore we went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart.
And behold he said unto them:
Samuel: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
And behold, this will I give unto for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were not night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never heave beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. (Helaman 13:2-4, 14:2-5)
Location #2
Primary boys dressed as shepherds are in front.
Narrator
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over the flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and they glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Good, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14)
The Faded Blue Blanket (A Sister Reads The Faded Blue Blanket)
The most frightened shepherd that night was Ladius, just 10. He cowered behind his three older brothers when the blinding star lit the hillside. When the angel appeared, he hid behind a huge rock.
Yet after Ladius heard the glad news, fear left him, and he limped back to his brothers who were planning to set out for Bethlehem. “Who will tend the sheep?” asked Samuel, the oldest at 16.
Ladius, leaning against his shepherd’s crook to support a crippled foot, volunteered; “I’d only slow you down. Let me stay with the sheep.” He bit his lower lip as he talked. The brothers weakly protested, then made plans to go.
“We must each take a gift,” said Samuel. One brother chose his flint to start a fire for the Christ Child. Another picked meadow lilies to make a garland for the King. Samuel decided on his most prized possession, his golden ring.
“Here, take my blanket to him,” said Ladius. It was badly worn faded with patches.
“No, Ladius,” said Samuel tenderly. “The blanket is too tattered to give even to a beggar let alone a King. Besides, you will need it tonight.”
The brothers departed, leaving Ladius alone by the fire. He laid his head upon the blanket and buried his face in his hands. Tears forced their way between his fingers, but soon the hush of the night soothed the boy’s heartbreak. The world in silent stillness lay….
“Are you coming, Ladius?” called a voice. Standing nearby was the same angel who had brought the news. “You wanted to see the child, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” nodded Ladius, “but I must stay here.”
“My name is Gabriel,” said the angel. “Your sheep will be watched. Take my hand and bring your blanket. The child may need it.” Suddenly, Ladius was outside a stable. Kneeling by a manger were his brothers. Ladius started to call out, but the angel lifted a finger to his lips. “Give me the blanket,” Gabriel whispered. The angel took the blanket and quietly covered the baby. But the blanket was no longer faded. Now it glistened like the dew in the brilliance of a new day. Returning, Gabriel squeezed Ladius’ hand. “Your gift was best because you gave all you had.”
“Wake up Ladius, wake up.” The boy rubbed his eyes and tried to shield them from the glaring sun. Hovering over his head was Samuel.
“Did you see the Christ child?” asked Ladius. “Please tell me about it.”
“Yes,” smiled Samuel, “but first tell me why you were sleeping without your blanket.”
Ladius looked about wonderingly. The faded, blue blanket was nowhere to be found — not then, or thereafter.
Location #3
Primary boys dressed as wisemen are in front.
Narrator: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, til it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshiped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1, 9-11)
The Other Wise Man (From the story by Henry Van Dyke) (A sister reads)
The other wise man’s name was Artaban. He was one of the Magi and he lived in Persia. He was a man of great wealth, great learning, and great faith. With his learned companions he had searched the scriptures as to the time that the Savior should be born. They knew that a new star would appear and it was agreed between them that Artaban would watch from Persia and the others would observe the sky from Babylon.
On the night he believed the sign was to be given, Artaban went out on his roof to watch the night sky. “If the star appears, they will wait for me ten days, then we will all set out together for Jerusalem. I have made ready for the journey by selling all of my possessions and have bought three jewels—a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. I intend to present them as my tribute to the King.”
As he watched, an azure spark was born out of the darkness, rounding itself with splendor into a crimson sphere. Artaban bowed his head. “It is the sign,” he said. “The King is coming and I will go to meet him.”
The swiftest of Artaban’s horses had been waiting, saddled and bridled in her stall, pawing the ground impatiently. She shared the eagerness of her master’s purpose. As Artaban placed himself upon her back, he said, “God bless us both from failing and our souls from death.”
They began their journey. Each day his faithful horse measured off the allotted proportion of the distance, and at nightfall on the tenth day, they approached the outskirts of Babylon. In a little island of desert palm tree, Artaban’s horse scented difficulty and slackened her pace. Then she stood still, quivering in every muscle.
Artaban dismounted. The dim starlight revealed the form of a man lying in the roadway. His skin bore the mark of a deadly fever. The chill of death was in his lean hand. As Artaban turned to go, a sigh came from the sick man’s lips.
Artaban felt sorry that he could not stay to minister to this dying stranger, but this was the hour toward which his entire life had been directed. He could not forfeit the reward of his years of study and faith to do a single deed of human mercy. But then, how could he leave his fellow man alone to die?
“God of truth and mercy,” prayed Artaban, “direct me in the path of wisdom which only thou knowest.” Then he knew that he could not go on. The Magi were physicians as well as astronomers. He took off his robe and began his work of healing. Several hours later the patient regained consciousness. Artaban gave him all that was left of his bread and wine. He left a potion of healing herbs and instructions for his care.
Though Artaban rode with the greatest of haste the rest of the way, it was after dawn that he arrived at the designated meeting place. His friends were nowhere to be seen. Finally, his eyes caught a piece of parchment arranged to attract his attention. It said, “We have waited till past midnight, and can delay no longer. We go to find the King. Follow us across the desert.”
Artaban sat down in despair and covered his face with his hands. “How can I cross the desert with no food and with a spent horse? I must return to Babylon, sell my sapphire and buy camels and provisions for the journey. I may never overtake my friends. Only the merciful God knows whether or not I shall lose my purpose because I tarried to show mercy.”
Several days later when Artaban arrived at Bethlehem, the streets were deserted. It was rumored that Herod was sending soldiers, presumable to enforce some new tax, and the men of the city had taken their flocks into the hills beyond his reach.
The door of one dwelling was open, and Artaban could hear a mother singing a lullaby to her child. He entered and introduced himself. The woman told him that it was now the third day since the wise men had appeared in Bethlehem. They found Joseph and Mary and the young child, and had laid their gifts at His feet. Then they had gone as mysteriously as they had come. Joseph had taken his wife and babe that same night and had secretly fled. It was whispered that they were going far away into Egypt.
As Artaban listened, the baby reached up its dimpled hand and touched his cheek and smiled. His heart warmed at the touch. Then suddenly outside, there arose a wild confusion of sounds. Women were shrieking. Then a desperate cry was heard, “The soldiers of Herod are killing the children.”
Artaban went to the doorway. A band of soldiers came hurrying down the street. The captain approached the door to thrust Artaban aside, but Artaban did not stir. His face was calm as though he were still watching the stars. Finally his out-stretched hand revealed the giant ruby. He said, “I am waiting to give this jewel to the prudent captain who will go on his way and leave this house alone.”
The captain, amazed at the splendor of the gem, took it and said to his men, “March on, there are no children here.”
Then Artaban prayed. “Oh God, forgive me my sin, I have spent for men that which was meant for God. Shall I ever be worthy to see the face of the King?”
But the voice of the woman, weeping of joy in the shadows behind him, said softly, “Thou hast saved the life of my little one. May the Lord bless thee and keep thee and give thee peace.”
Artaban, still following the King, went into Egypt seeking everywhere for traces of the little family that had fled before him. For many years we follow Artaban in his search. We see him at the pyramids. We see him in Alexandria taking counsel with a Hebrew rabbi who told him to seek the King not among the rich but among the poor.
He passed through countries where famine lay heavy upon the land, and the poor were crying for bread. He made his dwelling in plague-stricken cities. He visited the oppressed and afflicted in prisons. He searched the crowded slave-markets. Though he found no one to worship, he found many to serve. As the years passed, he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, healed the sick, and comforted the captive.
Thirty-three years had now passed away since Artaban began his search. His hair was white as snow. He knew his life’s end was near, but he still was desperate with hope that he would find the King. He had come for the last time to Jerusalem.
It was the season of the Passover and the city was thronged with strangers. Artaban inquired where they were going. One answered, “We are going to the execution on Golgotha outside the city walls. Two robbers are to be crucified, and with them another called Jesus of Nazareth, a man who has done many wonderful works among the people. He claims to be the Son of God and the priests and elders have said that he must die. Pilate sent him to the cross.”
How strangely these familiar words fell upon the tired heart of Artaban. They had led him for a lifetime over land and sea. And now they came to him like a message of despair. The King had been denied and cast out. Perhaps He was already dying. Could He be the same one for whom the star had appeared thirty-three long years ago?
Artaban’s heart beat loudly within him. He thought, “It may be that I shall yet find the King and be able to ransom Him from death by giving my treasure to His enemies.”
But as Artaban started toward Calvary, he saw a troop of soldiers coming down the street, dragging a sobbing young woman. As Artaban paused, she broke away from her tormentors and threw herself at his feet, her arms clasped around his knees.
“Have pity on me,” she cried, “and save me. My father was also a Magi, but he is dead, I am to be sold as a slave to pay his debts.”
Artaban trembled as he again felt the conflict arising in his soul. It was the same that he had experienced in the palm grove of Babylon and in the cottage at Bethlehem. Twice the gift which he had consecrated to the King had been drawn from his hand to the service of humanity. Would he now fail again? One thing was clear, he must rescue this helpless child from evil.
He took the pearl and laid it in the hand of the girl and said, “Daughter, this is the ransom. It is the last of my treasures which I had hoped to keep for the King.”
While he spoke, the darkness of the sky thickened and the shuddering tremors of an earthquake ran through the ground. The houses rocked. The soldiers fled in terror. Artaban sank beside a protecting wall. What had he to fear? What had he to hope for? He had given away the last of his tribute to the King. The quest was over and he had failed. What else mattered?
The earthquake quivered beneath him. A heavy tile, shaken from the roof, fell and struck him. He lay breathless and pale. Then there came a still small voice through the twilight. It was like distant music. The rescued girl leaned over him and heard him say, “Not so, my Lord; for when saw I thee hungered and fed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When saw I thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and clothed thee? When saw I thee sick or in prison and came unto thee? Thirty-three years have I looked for thee; but I have never seen thy face, nor ministered unto thee, my King.”
The sweet voice came again, “Verily I say unto thee, that inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me.”
A calm radiance of wonder and joy lighted the face of Artaban as one long, last breath exhaled gently from his lips. His journey was ended. His treasure accepted. The Other Wise Man had found the King.
Location #4
Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus in front. (We used a mother and her newborn son.)
Narrator:
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child, and so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was not room for them in the inn.(Luke 2:1, 3-7)
Congregation sings Joy to the World
Location #5
A Sister plays Silent Night on violin
Refreshments served
