Summary: This was written to be used for our Christmas service. Reading a paragraph between songs. It weaves the various names of God and their meanings into the Christmas season. Bringing the full picture of what Christmas is about.
Style: Dramatic Duration: Approx. 5-10 minutes
Actors: 1-8 you can use as few or up to 8.
Script
In the beginning the Word already existed, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became human and made His home among us. So shall my Word go forth and it shall not return to Me empty. But my Word shall accomplish that which I please and purpose and it shall prosper in what I sent it to do.
One night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. Oh sir what will we do now? Don’t be afraid, Elisha told him, for there are more on our side than on theirs. Oh, Lord, God of the Angel Armies, open his eyes and let him see. The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots. We know the stories of Jericho, Gideon, Jehosphat where God fought for His people and they miraculously won. Today we hear stories of one tank turning away an enemy army and when asked the enemy said, but the hills were full of tanks. Of African tribes going to kill missionaries only to be met by warriors with glowing swords. He is still the God of Angel Armies.
Father? Yes, my son? We have the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering? God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering. And they walked on together. And when they arrived Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood and he laid his son on top of the wood, Raised his knife…. and the Lord provided. A sacrifice. He provided a perfect lamb, unblemished and Holy for Abraham. He provided a sacrifice for me, for you, for each of us. He is Jehovah Jireh our provider. He provides exceedingly, abundantly more than we can even grasp or imagine.
When Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away and she sat down in the desert to watch her son die, she cried out to God and he provided food and water. In worship she responded you are El Roi the God who sees. Not as a watchful eye to see where and when we mess up, but a God who sees our unformed body being knit together fearfully and wonderfully. He knows when we sit down and when we stand up. The one who numbers the very hairs on our heads. The God who counts our tears and stores them in a bottle. He sees you and treasures every part of you.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need. He leads me to peaceful streams. When I walk through the dark valleys, I don’t need to fear because he is close beside me. He anoints my head with oil, for healing and protection. His goodness and unfailing love pursue me all my days. Did you catch that? He leads me, He is in front of me. He’s close beside me in the dark times. He anoints my head, meaning he is over top of me. And he pursues me, meaning he’s behind me. David said He hems me in behind and before, I am surrounded by your presence, such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand.
Moses asked who do I tell them that you are? God gave Moses his personal name. In attempts of translating we say Yehwah, but how do you say YHWH when there are no vowels? To say it correctly you don’t use your tongue and you don’t close your mouth. His name imitates the natural act of breathing as you inhale and exhale. YH…WH, YH…WH The first word you have ever spoken, when you came out of your mother’s womb, was the personal name of God. YH..WH And the last word you will ever speak in this life, the last breath you take YH...WH Imagine when you are sad and you sigh, YH…WH, when your heart is broken and you don’t know what to say and all you can do is sob and gasp for breath, you’re calling out His name. YH…WH YH...WH
Jesus showed us the side of God he knew intimately, Father. We think of Father as formal and stiff, not personal and intimate. But in actuality it translates more like Daddy, Papa. The night before He was crucified, He cried out Papa.. please... His last words on the cross were Daddy, I did it, it is finished. But he didn’t just introduce us to the Father, He said I want to bring you in as brothers and sisters, so that He is your Abba Father too.
Different names tell different stories. Because we are but a breath, we can not grasp the magnitude of God. These names reveal God’s character and His heart for us. During this season we celebrate Emmanuel, God with us. God with us. God the word, becoming flesh, so He could be our Jehovah Jireh our provider, Jehovah Rapha our healer, Jehovah Shalom our peace. Emmanuel God with us. So hear oh Israel, hear oh people of Iowa, hear oh people of Upper the Lord our God, the Lord is one. (You would change this last sentence to reflect your state/country/church.)
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© Michelle Patterson, All rights reserved.
This script may be used free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged to a performance. In exchange, the author would appreciate being notified of any occasion the poem is used in public performance. She may be contacted at: