Where's Jesus

PURPOSE:
Dad searches for a missing Jesus from the manger while his family falls apart in the chaos of Christmas

LOCATION:
Living Room 

PROPS:
A manger scene with Jesus figurine, handheld video game, hand mirror, cooking pot

CHARACTERS:
Dad: Sincere about having a proper Christmas, 30-50s
Mom: Crazed to make dinner happen, 30-50s
Billy: Materialistic boy, 8-12
Chrissy: Self centered girl, teen

THOUGHTS:
If you watch people at the mall at Christmas, they are all searching for something.  Shoes, CDs, handbags, toys, books, games.  If you watch people at home during Christmas, they are all searching for something too.  Wrapping paper, decorations, trees, cards.  If you watch people at the grocery store during Christmas, they are also searching for something.  Ham, potatoes, cookies, egg nog.

All of them searching for what they believe will give Christmas meaning and happiness, but none of them finding it, unless they look for the Christ child.

In Luke 2: 8-12, 20 the angels encounter the Shepherds telling them of a Savior born in a manger.  The Shepherds do the right thing.  Instead of going on with their daily duties, they drop everything and go looking.  What they find causes them to glorify and praise God.  All around them, some passing right by the front door, people went about their daily grind, filling out the census, finding food, looking for shelter, parking their donkeys.

Everyone walked by and missed it.  Hopefully this Christmas no one will pass by the manger and miss the meaning of Christmas.

THEMES:
JESUS, CHRISTMAS, PRIORITIES.