During the Christmas season, we like to include drama here and there at church. These two scenes were performed at different times in a Sunday morning service that featured the angels proclamation to the shepherds in Luke 2. They suggest a question that may be appropriate during a busy holiday season: what if God is calling and you aren't listening?

Title:  Angels Calling ... a pair of radio-style sketches for Christmas
Author:  Bob Freye

Scene One

Person#1:        So, what are you gonna do today?

Person#2:        Nothin. What are you gonna do today?

Person#1:        Nothin.

Angel:              Behold … I’m here to bring you the most fantastic news! In the village of Bethlehem, God has given the greatest possible gift to the whole world. If you go there, you will find …

Person#1:        A new car? I hope it’s a new car! That’s the most fantastic gift ever!

Angel:              No, it’s not a new car.

Person#2:        Maybe it’s a trip. That would be so cool! (imitates an announcer’s voice) You have just won a trip to fabulous … Omaha!!

Person#1:        You do that so well! (to the angel) You should say it like that.

Angel:              I’m not giving you a prize.

Person#1:        No, he sounded much better.

Angel:              This isn’t Wheel of Fortune. This is life. I’m here to give you something far better than a trip or a car.

Person#1:        Cash?

Person#2:        You can’t beat cash.

Person#1:        Then you can buy your own car.

Person#2:        Or a trip to fabulous Omaha!

Person#1:         (to the angel) That’s so much better than the way you do it.

Angel:              I’m not here to impress you. God is sending peace on earth, and he wanted you to know about it. Are you interested … or not??

                        (pause)

Person#1:        Maybe we have to work up to the car!

Person#2:        Yeah. Is there some kind of lightning round?

Angel:              Yes … but you don’t want to play.

##

Scene Two

Henry:             Hi, you’ve reached the home of Henry Shepherd …

Geraldine:       … and Geraldine Shepherd.

Together:        We’re the Shepherds.

Henry:             We’re not home right now …

Geraldine:       … but if you leave a message, we’ll try to get back to you.

Henry:             No promises.

Geraldine:       It’s Christmas, so we’re probably out shopping …

Henry:             … or at a party …

Geraldine:       … or out shopping.

Henry:             But leave a message anyway.

Geraldine:       We love messages!

                        ( Beep! )

Angel:              Oh … well … this is the angel speaking … and I wanted to talk to you … had some news to … share with you … but it’s something I should probably tell you in person. I don’t like to leave this kind of thing on a machine. I’ve got some other people to talk to, but I‘ll try to get back to you … sometime. I’m sorry I missed you. It’s kind of important … about Peace on Earth … and how you fit in to all that. But I’ll try later… if I can catch you. I should just let you know, and this is rather important …

                        ( Beep! )