SAMPLE -- Talk of the Temple
NARRATOR -- Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
(Choir begins singing the Hallelujah Chorus, making a lot of mistakes, sounding off-key.)
CHOIR DIRECTOR -- (waves hand to stop the singing) Stop. Stop. Let’s take a small break. We’ll continue later. We need more practice.
(Lights go off Choir, and remain on main stage)
REBECCA -- (puts hands over ears) Oh, that noise hurts my ears. That choir is never going to be ready for the Passover unless they practice. A lot. (puts down hands)
BENJAMIN -- (puts out hand to Rebecca) How about giving a lowly beggar a few alms?
REBECCA -- (rolls eyes, looks disgusted) Oh, Benjamin. I just gave you some money yesterday. Have you spent it already?
BENJAMIN -- (puts down hand) I bought food with it.
REBECCA -- You gave it that widow I always see you with, didn’t you?
BENJAMIN -- (looks embarrassed) Well, she has a young child. I just shared some food with her. That’s all.
REBECCA -- Yes, and now you need more money. Well, go beg someone else, and stop bothering me.
BENJAMIN -- (sighs loudly) O.K. Rebecca.
(Simeon enters, look around, walking slowly.)
REBECCA -- (points to Simeon) Look, Benjamin. It’s Simeon. What’s he doing here? I can’t believe that his family lets him wander around by himself. He’s an old man. He could fall and hurt himself. His son should be ashamed of himself for not paying more attention. Someone should have a little talk with him.
BENJAMIN -- Well, I’m sure you’re just the person for the job.
REBECCA -- Oh, hush up. Simeon is coming this way.
(Simeon walks up to Rebecca and Benjamin)
REBECCA -- Hi, Simeon. It’s good to see you in the temple. How have you been doing?
SIMEON -- Tell me. Have you seen any strangers come into the temple courts today? Someone with a boy child?
REBECCA -- No. There haven’t been that many people come through the temple today. Are you looking for anyone we know?
SIMEON -- No. No. That is… We should know him… I feel that I should definitely see the Messiah today. (turns to Benjamin) Have you seen a child, Benjamin?
BENJAMIN -- Sorry, Simeon. I haven’t seen anyone of that description come in yet.
REBECCA -- Simeon, I promise, the moment we see anyone with a child, we’ll come tell you right away.
SIMEON -- (hangs head, looks disappointed) Yes. Please tell me if you see the child. It is very important. I know that today is the long awaited day.
END SAMPLE
NARRATOR -- Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
(Choir begins singing the Hallelujah Chorus, making a lot of mistakes, sounding off-key.)
CHOIR DIRECTOR -- (waves hand to stop the singing) Stop. Stop. Let’s take a small break. We’ll continue later. We need more practice.
(Lights go off Choir, and remain on main stage)
REBECCA -- (puts hands over ears) Oh, that noise hurts my ears. That choir is never going to be ready for the Passover unless they practice. A lot. (puts down hands)
BENJAMIN -- (puts out hand to Rebecca) How about giving a lowly beggar a few alms?
REBECCA -- (rolls eyes, looks disgusted) Oh, Benjamin. I just gave you some money yesterday. Have you spent it already?
BENJAMIN -- (puts down hand) I bought food with it.
REBECCA -- You gave it that widow I always see you with, didn’t you?
BENJAMIN -- (looks embarrassed) Well, she has a young child. I just shared some food with her. That’s all.
REBECCA -- Yes, and now you need more money. Well, go beg someone else, and stop bothering me.
BENJAMIN -- (sighs loudly) O.K. Rebecca.
(Simeon enters, look around, walking slowly.)
REBECCA -- (points to Simeon) Look, Benjamin. It’s Simeon. What’s he doing here? I can’t believe that his family lets him wander around by himself. He’s an old man. He could fall and hurt himself. His son should be ashamed of himself for not paying more attention. Someone should have a little talk with him.
BENJAMIN -- Well, I’m sure you’re just the person for the job.
REBECCA -- Oh, hush up. Simeon is coming this way.
(Simeon walks up to Rebecca and Benjamin)
REBECCA -- Hi, Simeon. It’s good to see you in the temple. How have you been doing?
SIMEON -- Tell me. Have you seen any strangers come into the temple courts today? Someone with a boy child?
REBECCA -- No. There haven’t been that many people come through the temple today. Are you looking for anyone we know?
SIMEON -- No. No. That is… We should know him… I feel that I should definitely see the Messiah today. (turns to Benjamin) Have you seen a child, Benjamin?
BENJAMIN -- Sorry, Simeon. I haven’t seen anyone of that description come in yet.
REBECCA -- Simeon, I promise, the moment we see anyone with a child, we’ll come tell you right away.
SIMEON -- (hangs head, looks disappointed) Yes. Please tell me if you see the child. It is very important. I know that today is the long awaited day.
END SAMPLE
Fitlyspoken Ministry
Talk of the Temple -- $10.00
by Katreana Griggs
by Katreana Griggs
“Talk Of The Temple” is a Christmas play that tells the story of Simeon and Anna’s joy at finally seeing the Christ, in flesh, at the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus’ birth also brings unexpected experiences to others in the temple that believe he has come into the world as their Savior. With the joy of the long awaited Messiah realized, the characters cannot wait to spread the good news to all who will listen. My hope is that believers will continue to spread the good news of Jesus’ birth and salvation to the world.
Staging -- This production calls for the entire stage to be set up as a Jewish temple. The choir will be set up in the back, and will be on stage during the entire play. A choir loft can be used for the choir if your church or school has one. A podium is needed for the choir director. A column, with a collection box or bowl, will be set up in the middle of the stage, so that the audience can see it. Benjamin, the beggar, will need a soft bench to recline on, since he will be lying on it for the duration of the play. A spotlight needs to be on the choir, and on the main stage, that will showcase the collection box and Benjamin. The lights need to be on the choir and main stage simultaneously and independently. The backdrop can be an interior of stone and lavish colored fabrics.
Playing Time -- 30 minutes
Cast -- Six Men, Five Women, Plus choir
Narrator, James (The Pharisee)
Rebecca (The gossip), Zechariah
Benjamin (The beggar), Shepherd
Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph
Choir Director
Choir
Staging -- This production calls for the entire stage to be set up as a Jewish temple. The choir will be set up in the back, and will be on stage during the entire play. A choir loft can be used for the choir if your church or school has one. A podium is needed for the choir director. A column, with a collection box or bowl, will be set up in the middle of the stage, so that the audience can see it. Benjamin, the beggar, will need a soft bench to recline on, since he will be lying on it for the duration of the play. A spotlight needs to be on the choir, and on the main stage, that will showcase the collection box and Benjamin. The lights need to be on the choir and main stage simultaneously and independently. The backdrop can be an interior of stone and lavish colored fabrics.
Playing Time -- 30 minutes
Cast -- Six Men, Five Women, Plus choir
Narrator, James (The Pharisee)
Rebecca (The gossip), Zechariah
Benjamin (The beggar), Shepherd
Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph
Choir Director
Choir
