CHARACTERS:

One leader clown and as many others as you have in the group.

PROPS:

Every clown is carrying a toy except the leader clown, who can have a baton or whistle or both. Three clowns at the back of the line don’t have anything. Nativity scene.

LEADER:

Left, right, left, right, keep in line, left, right. (With other bossy commands) Halt, everyone take your places. (Clowns all run around and bump into each other and end up back where they started)

CLOWN 1:

Just as the three wise men of long ago brought gifts fit for a king, so we bring presents that we believe are fit for our king, Jesus.

CLOWN 2:

We are looking for the best three gifts that Jesus would want from us.

LEADER:

Who’s first?

CLOWN 1:

Me. I think Jesus would like a computer. Computers are great for playing games, you can learn things on them, and it would help him work out how many fish and loaves he’d need for five thousand people.

CLOWN 2:

I think Jesus would like a pair of Nike Air shoes to wear. Not only would he look cool, but they would be really comfortable as he walked all over Galilee.

CLOWN 3:

I’m giving Jesus a great big chocolate bar because I love chocolate and I’m sure Jesus would too. I’ve chosen Cadbury because it’s my favourite.

CLOWN 4:

I think Jesus would like some Lego. He’d be able to make all kinds of things with it and his friends would like it too.

CLOWN 5:

I would give the baby Jesus a rattle because it would make him giggle.

CLOWN 6:

I think Jesus would really love a bike. He could do wheelies and he could ride everywhere instead of walking.

CLOWN 7:

No, rollerblades are better. He wouldn’t have to worry about parking them, he could just throw them over his shoulder and go straight into the synagogue.

CLOWN 8:

I think Jesus would like a pet dog. Dogs are great fun to play with and to take for walks.

CLOWN 9:

I’ve got Jesus a Walkman. Then he can groove and move as he travels around the countryside.

CLOWN 10:

I think the baby Jesus would like a cuddly teddy bear. Then he could hug it when he goes to sleep.

CLOWN 11:

I bought Jesus a transformer. He could practice changing it and it would be something to do while he’s floating around in his friends’ boat.

CLOWN 12:

No, I think a Game Boy would be better because it can do more than a transformer. He could keep it in his pocket really easily!

CLOWN 13:

The baby Jesus would like a dummy, so that’s what I’ve got him.

CLOWN 14:

I got Jesus some after-shave lotion for when he grows up. He’d get pretty hot and smelly on those dusty roads.

CLOWN 15:

I think Jesus would like a guitar so that he could play it and have a sing-a-long with all his friends.

CLOWN 16:

I got Jesus a mobile phone ’cause you shouldn’t leave home without one.

LEADER:

(To three clowns who have nothing, and are standing shyly at the back. One clown can present the three gifts if there aren’t many clowns in the group) Well, what did you bring?

SHY CLOWN 1:

Well, I think those presents are all wonderful, but that’s not what Jesus really wants us to bring to him.

ALL CLOWNS:

Huh?

SHY CLOWN 2:

(Gets the Bible off the altar or lectern)

SHY CLOWN 3:

(A little or innocent clown)

SHY CLOWN 1:

When we love Jesus with all our hearts, then we will bring him our second gift.

CLOWN 3:

      What’s that?

SHY CLOWN 2:

(Reads from Bible) Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.

SHY CLOWN 3:

Jesus wants our praise and thanks so we rejoice in his love.

CLOWN 4:

      So what’s the third gift?

SHY CLOWN 2:

(Reads from Bible) The Bible says, Love your neighbour as yourself.

SHY CLOWN 3:

When we love and care for others, that’s like a gift to Jesus.

CLOWN 5:

      (Pointing to the toys)  So what will we do with all these?

CLOWN 6:

      Let’s go and share them with others who don’t have any.

ALL CLOWNS:

Yeah, great idea. Good thinking.

SHY CLOWN 1:

Now you’ve got the right spirit. (Clown turns to the cross and gives the thumbs-up sign).