DRAMA - ADVENT 4, YEAR C
Bible reference: Micah 5:2-5a
KEEP ON HOPING . . .
(This drama is in the form of a monologue spoken by the prophet Micah. After the Bible reference is read, Micah enters in biblical costume)
You know I said to God, (Looks up) 'God!' I said. 'Ask someone else!'
(To audience, pointing up at God) But did he listen to me? Did he take any notice? (Shakes head) Not on your life. Didn't so much as blink his eye. Just said, (Cups hands around mouth and speaks downward as if God is speaking) 'Micah, I have a message for the people of Israel and I want you to deliver it.'
Me, Micah from Morosheth. I ask you, what sort of start is that for a prophet? Whoever heard of a prophet coming from Morosheth? Seventy-four seventy-fifths of the known world hadn't even heard of Morosheth! Why not get someone from Jerusalem, or Jericho, or Capernaum . . . places people had heard of?
But no! That wasn't God's plan. He had to do things differently.
But I guess you already know that, don't you? (Indicates audience) You've worked with him. And besides, there's no use belly-aching about it because, somehow, when it all comes down to it, his way turns out for the best seventy-five seventy-fifths of the time.
Take my own prophecy, the one you heard a moment ago. Well, the one you would have heard a moment ago if you hadn't been so busy reaching into your pocket for another Mint. Let me just say we never had that sort of thing in the synagogue in my day! Anyway, where was I?
Ah, that's right, talking about the prophecy.
(Adopts prophetic voice) 'But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.'
(Drops voice) Now that's just typical of God, isn't it? He decides on a new king, and where does he come from? Does he come from Jerusalem? Oh no. He comes from Bethlehem!
'Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah.'
Small? Try tiny! (Makes tiny sign) So small on a scroll of Israel that it could be mistaken for the wet footmarks of some fly that has gotten into the scribe's inkwell!
Honestly, sometimes it hardly seems that God has got his head screwed on. What is he doing getting the new ruler of Israel to come out of Bethlehem? I mean, pick Mannaseh, or Ephraim, one of the tribes with a bit of clout.
But of course, that's the trick, isn't it? And God... God's got it down to a tee. He always goes for the small guy. (Points to audience) You think about it.
He starts out with Abraham and Sarah, barren as the Sahara desert, or as you Australians would say, barren as the Nullarbor Plain. But what does God do? He gives them a child, Isaac.
Then there's Moses, couldn't talk to save himself, God makes him leader of the whole people of Israel. And then Goliath is putting the wind up the whole army, so God gets a kid called David to put him out of business.
Do you get the picture? God always goes for the little guy.
So, of course, it's only natural for him to choose Bethlehem as the place for his son to be born. And there it is again. God's own Son, born a little baby boy in a stable at the back of a hotel in Bethlehem. Not much of a start for a king.
And then when the kid grows up, who does he get for his royal Cabinet? A few fishermen, a tax collector, an assortment of other ordinary people and to top it all off, Judas Iscariot as 'First Lord of the Treasury'.
Then when it comes to the king's coronation day, does he get the royal treatment with all the trimmings? No way. His crown is made of thorns and his throne is a wooden cross. The king is crucified.
But don't be fooled, this is God's style. And just when everything looks hopeless,God snatches victory from the jaws of defeat.
The dead king rises to life. God raises him. And when Jesus rises from the dead he brings all his friends new life as well! (Shaking head in amazement) You've got to hand it to God, he sure knows how to make things come together.
In fact, when you're dealing with God, there's always room for hope. Always room for excitement, always a chance to peer round the corner and expect something good to be coming.
After all, he takes barren people and gives them babies.
He makes leaders out of followers.
He cuts a giant down to size with a small boy.
He turns one man's death into life for everyone.
He even makes a prophet out of man from Morosheth.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's even got big plans for this motley collection of people. (Looks around at audience)
He gives people a reason to expect the unexpected, to hope when things seem black. But, as I say, that's just God for you. Always bringing hope.
That's why he picked me out of Morosheth in the first place. He wanted me to go to the city and spread hope about the place. (Indicates self) Micah from Morosheth, called to hope and to spread hope.
He wants the same from you too, you know. (Indicates audience) You are called to hope and to spread hope.
Anyway, I've rambled on enough, and if you haven't got the gist of it by now then you're thick as two planks. Just one more thing before I go. A simple tip to help you remember to hope.
My name 'Micah' has a special meaning. It means, 'Who is there that is like God?' The answer is plain as a pikestaff, 'no one'. (Points upward) God is a one and only. So whenever you hear my name, remember that there's no one quite like God and that makes him worth hoping in.
And don't forget, keep on hoping, on spreading that hope around! (Exit)
© Mike Fulwood 1991
Permission is given for the owner of this disk to make sufficient copies of this script for their group or congregation, for rehearsal and performance purposes only
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