Advent Puppet Plays
Advent Puppet Plays
First Sunday of Advent—Peace
(1 and 2 enter.)
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1:
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Well, what do we have here?
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2:
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It’s me! Jason!
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1:
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No, I mean that tree covered in stuff.
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2:
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Oh, that. Don’t you know that it’s a Christmas tree?
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1:
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Right, I knew that!
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2:
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Then why did you ask?
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1:
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Well, I don’t understand why people decorate trees at this time of year.
I mean a tree is a tree, and it doesn’t need decorating. What’s all the
fuss? Is it Advert?
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2:
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Advert? Do you mean advertisement? Oh, I think you meant to say Advent!
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1:
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Yes, Advent. (looks away embarrassed)
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2:
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Well, people usually decorate trees at the beginning of the Advent season.
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1:
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What’s the Advent season?
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2:
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It’s before Christmas and lasts four weeks.
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1:
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Four weeks—that’s a whole month!
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2:
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It’s a time of preparation involving the whole Christian community.
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1:
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Oh, yeah, like buying presents, decorating, cooking yummy foods, and
singing carols.
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2:
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Well, yes, but it’s more than that!
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1:
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More than that! But all that stuff would keep you pretty busy!
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2:
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It’s more about getting ready for the peace of Jesus in your heart.
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1:
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Like the peace that Jesus brought to my life?
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2:
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Yes. Once you felt Jesus’ peace in your heart, you couldn’t help but
show it.
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1:
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I know. Just like those kids singing carols for the Christmas play. Can’t
you hear it?
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2:
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Yes, you can tell their hearts are focused on Jesus.
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1:
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Oh, that reminds me. I need to practice my lines. I’m going to be a
shepherd in the play.
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2:
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OK. Will I see you next week on the second Sunday of Advent?
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1:
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You bet! Can’t wait.
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(1 and 2 exit.)
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Second Sunday of Advent—Hope
(1 and 2 enter.)
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1:
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Hi, Jason. What are you doing?
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2:
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I am just thinking about what it must have been like for Jesus lying in a
manger, in a barn, with animals all around.
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1:
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What’s a manger?
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2:
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It’s a box full of straw and hay used to feed the animals. Baby Jesus
used it for a bed.
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1:
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Wow, that’s really cool. I wonder how many people can say that they were
born in a barn with donkeys, sheep, pigs, and slept in a feed box?
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2:
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Probably not many. Unless, of course, they live on a farm and can’t make
it to a hospital. You know how the straw in the manger gave some extra padding
for baby Jesus?
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1:
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Yes . . .
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2:
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Well, Jesus provides that extra comfort in my life!
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1:
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What do you mean by that?
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2:
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He gives me hope and helps me understand that I’m not alone.
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1:
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Yeah, I can share that with my friends and tell them about Jesus, the hope
of my world.
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2:
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Why not invite them to be involved in the Advent celebrations here at
church?
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1:
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That’s a great idea. I am going to write some invitations to my friends
right now.
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2:
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You can tell them that next week will be the third Sunday of Advent.
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1:
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I will! See you then!
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(1 and 2 exit.)
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Third Sunday of Advent—Joy
(1 and 2 enter, humming "Joy to the World!" HS 258.)
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2:
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Hey, it’s been great to meet some of your friends at church today.
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1:
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Yeah, I couldn’t believe that they actually came along!
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2:
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Well, you made the effort to invite them—good for you!
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1:
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It was even better when we got sweets during story time!
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2:
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Mmmm, that was a bonus!
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1:
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Kayla said she wants to come back next week, and Robert was asking me
about Jesus. They had so many questions; I didn’t know how to respond!
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2:
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You can teach them a lot about Jesus just by being their friend!
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1:
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Yeah, I guess. I know I don’t have to have all the answers. I just need
to show them Jesus’ joy in my life.
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2:
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I think you’ve got the right idea. I’m looking forward to the
Christmas play next week.
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1:
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Yes, it’s the fourth Sunday of Advent. After the play, we are having a
special Christmas lunch. I’ve invited Kayla and Robert. Everyone is bringing
food to share, and it’s going to be so much fun!
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2:
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It sure will! Sharing this Advent season with you has been so great.
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1:
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Thanks. It brings me so much joy—sharing the news of Christ with my
friends. It has made Advent even more special.
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2:
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Absolutely. When we share, our joy just keeps growing.
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1:
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Yes, the birth of Jesus is the most joyful moment ever!
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(1 and 2 exit singing, "Joy to the World!" HS 258.)
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Fourth Sunday of Advent—Love
(1 and 2 enter.)
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1:
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Jason, this is the day! I feel so nervous! I’ve never been a shepherd
before.
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2:
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Just relax and take some deep breaths—you’ll be fine.
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1:
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I feel sick. I’m not sure if I can remember my lines.
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2:
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It’s OK. Would you like me to say a prayer for you?
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1:
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Yeah, that would be good.
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2:
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Dear God, please be with Sam this morning and help him feel relaxed. We
know that you are with us right now and ask that you comfort him so he can focus
on being a shepherd and remembering his lines. Help us feel your love. Amen.
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1:
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Thanks, Jason, you are a good friend.
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2:
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I’m going to take a seat in the congregation. Try to relax and I’ll
see you afterward.
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1:
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Yeah, I can’t wait until this is over. It’s the first play I’ve been
in and I think it might be my last. I haven’t found it easy.
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2:
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Sometimes believing in Jesus and sharing God’s love with others is
difficult. But we are called to be loving disciples. It is part of what it means
to be a Christian.
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1:
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Speaking of calling, I can hear my name being called now. See ya’,
Jason!
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2:
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’Bye, Sam! Good luck!
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(1 and 2 exit.)
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