C.M.D. Sketches

Obstacles to

following Our Lord

The Dream Giver

Case for Christmas

Scene 1
Narrator
Ordinary
VOICE of Dream Giver (must remain hidden)
Best Friend (small part)
Father (small part)
Mother (v small part)
Champion (v small part)
Props

Narrator: Not long ago and not far away, a Nobody called Ordinary lived in the Land of Familiar. Every day was pretty much the same for Ordinary. In the mornings he got up and went to his usual job.
Ordinary gets up puts on a jacket, picks up a briefcase and walks across the stage.
Narrator: After work he ate almost the same dinner he’d eaten the night before
Ordinary gobbles down food from a plate
Narrator: Then he sat in his armchair and watched the Box that mesmerized most Nobodies on most nights.
Ordinary sits on chair and stage crew cart in a big cardboard box.
Narrator: Sometimes Best Friend came over to join Ordinary in front of the box.
Best Friend plonks down next to Ordinary.
(Best Friend leaves)
Narrator: Time passed and Ordinary started to feel that he was missing something big from his life.
Ordinary: What could it be? (He paces anxiously) Better leave it till the morning
Ordinary goes to sleep
UNSEEN VOICE Dream Giver: What you’re missing, you already have….
Ordinary wakes up startled
Ordinary: Could it be? (He smiles, then …laughs) I’ve got a Big Dream. I was made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve great things! …. Where did this Big Dream come from? What’s this on the window? – A big white feather
(he paces)
(He shouts) I must have been visited by the Dream Giver!
Ordinary grabs his coat and shoes and rushes off the stage. He re-enters pulling in Best Friend.
Ordinary: The Dream Giver gave me a Big Dream! I was made to be a Somebody and destined to achieve Great Things!
Best Friend: That’s very… big, (He pauses) But if I were you I wouldn’t talk about this Dream of yours too much. Nobodies around here might take you for a fool.
Ordinary: (looks downcast) Oh… well I’d better keep it to myself
(Ordinary and Friend separate and Ordinary picks up briefcase and goes to work)
Narrator: Day after day Ordinary showed up at his Usual Job. But he couldn’t stop thinking about his Dream. But time kept passing. One day Ordinary went over to his parents to watch the Box.
Ordinary walks into house where his Father is sitting down in front of the Box.
Ordinary: Hi Father what’s on Nobody News?
Father: The Box is broken
Ordinary: Oh
They sit in silence twiddling their thumbs
Ordinary: Father, I’m growing sadder by the day. I don’t like my Usual Job anymore
Father: That’s terrible. What happened?
Ordinary: Well…please don’t laugh – ok?....The Dream Giver visited me and now I have a Big Dream. I was made to be a Somebody and achieve Great Things! (He brings it all out in one breath)
Father: I’m not surprised to hear you say these things
Ordinary: You’re not?
Father: No – You’ve had that Dream ever since you were a little boy. Don’t you remember? You used to build that same dream with sticks and mud in front of this very house
Ordinary: Father, (pause) I think I was born to do this.
Pause as they sit together
Father: When you woke up to your Big Dream, Son, did you happen to find… a feather?
Ordinary: (Gasps) How did you know?
Father: A long time ago I woke up to a Dream too – it was a wonderful dream. I kept the feather waiting for a chance to pursue it, but… it never seemed possible. One day I noticed the feather had turned to dust.
Ordinary: That’s the saddest story I’ve ever heard.
Father: Don’t make the same mistake I did, Son (puts one hand on his shoulder)– You don’t have to stay a Nobody, you can be a Dreamer!
Narrator: Ordinary decided to begin his Dream. He made hard choices. He made difficult changes. He even made big sacrifices. Finally he was ready, so after donating his Box to Best Friend he walked away humming a tune that he’d never heard before.
(Comically Ordinary gives the Box (a cardboard box with a ribbon on it) to Best Friend)
Narrator: Ordinary set off walking away from the comfortable centre of Familiar where almost every Nobody lived. Ordinary had never dared to walk this way before and he knew that most Nobodies who tried to leave the Comfort Zone of Familiar became so uncomfortable they turned around and went home. Ordinary was determined to be different though, he was determined to pursue his dream. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded
though….
Ordinary: Oh dear everything looks different.
He stops underneath a sign titled ‘Leaving the Comfort Zone of Familiar’ ENTERING Borderland.
Ordinary: How terrifying…. (He is breathing quickly)
He comes up against an invisible wall of fear and is unable to step forward. He drops his suitcase and puts his head between his hands
VOICE Dream Giver: Why are you stopping?
Ordinary: I’m not the right person to go after such a Big Dream
VOICE Dream Giver: Yes you are. I made you do this
Ordinary: But I don’t think I can do this
VOICE Dream Giver: Yes you can. And I will be with you. I will help you
Ordinary stays put. He lifts his head, looks left and right. Then he stands up and takes a sneaky step backwards. He finds that he can breathe more easily and smiles.
VOICE Dream Giver: Why are you going back?
Ordinary stops in his tracks stunned
Ordinary: Because I’m afraid! Leaving Familiar feels too scary and too risky
VOICE Dream Giver: Yes it does
Ordinary: But if I was supposed to do this Big Dream, then I’m sure I wouldn’t feel so afraid!
VOICE Dream Giver: Yes you would, every Nobody does.
Ordinary: But you could take away the fear. Please, please take the fear away! (he begs with hands clasped) If you don’t I can’t go on!
VOICE Dream Giver: Take courage, Ordinary
Ordinary: (He looks about him) My fear isn’t going away. The closer I get to the sign the more afraid I become. (He takes another step forward) I’ll shut my eyes. (He keeps walking – now the sign is behind him). It’s gone (He gasps) I’ve broken through my Comfort Zone and now the wall of fear is behind me. I’m free! (He laughs) My Dream is ahead!
Narrator: As Ordinary walks on he sees the Wide Waters and the bridge to the Unknown, but between him and the bridge is the Borderland with a few other
obstacles…Ordinary’s Mother runs towards him…
Mother: Oh Ordie! My baby! Thank goodness we got here in time! You mustn't go on! I was so alarmed when I heard you were leaving Familiar! It’s not safe! You could get hurt. You could even die!
Ordinary: But it’s my Big Dream Mother! Anyway …as far as Big Dreams go it’s only
a little life threatening.
Mother: Oh my goodness!
Best Friend appears onto the scene
Best Friend: You can’t succeed in this Ordinary. I won’t stand back and watch you defeated you must stop this nonsense at once! (He points a finger accusingly)
Ordinary turns around to see Champion coming towards him. Mother and Best Friend huddle at the side in conversation.
Ordinary: Champion! What are you doing here?
Champion: When I heard you had become a Dreamer, I just had to come and help.
Ordinary: Thanks, but have you seen my Border bullies?
Champion: Don’t worry, it’s natural- when you left your Comfort Zone you really shook up theirs.
Ordinary: What can I do then?
Champion: Hold fast to your Dream, Ordinary. When bullies try to block your way what matters most is who you choose to please!
Champion leaves
Ordinary: Mother, I need to talk to you.
He takes her by the arm and they pace in earnest conversation.
Narrator: Finally Ordinary persuades his mother that he has to please the Dream Giver and she accepts it with a few tears. (Ordinary and Mother separate and Ordinary walks away) Best Friend on the other hand is still scowling and although Ordinary is sorry he couldn’t persuade him, his heart is light and happy to be walking towards Land of Promise.

Scene 2
Narrator
Ordinary
Faith
Dreamer 1
Dreamer 2
Props
Bush
Chair
Cardboard Sun and Moon

Narrator: Ordinary started off into the Unknown. His step was light and he was expecting to reach the Land of Promise at each new bend, where he would find his Big Dream. But he didn’t find it and instead he found that he was journeying through an endless wasteland. Soon the food he had in his suitcase ran out. Then he began to worry – he called out to the Dream Giver for food. But he got no answer. A couple of days later he ran out of water and called out to the Dream Giver again. And again he heard nothing, but luckily that very same day he found a trickle of water coming from a rock. A little while later he spotted some desert fruit hanging from a strange bush and ate his full. So it went on he journeyed and journeyed until he was absolutely exhausted.
Ordinary: My whole journey has been a waste. You’re not a Dream Giver! (he shouts to the sky) You’re a Dream Taker! I trusted You. You promised to be with me and help me. And you didn’t!
He throws himself on the ground and falls asleep. The sun rises – stage crew walk a cardboard Sun onto stage Faith is sitting in a tree (on a chair with bushes in front of it) Ordinary wakes up hears the rustling leaves and looks up startled.
Ordinary: Who are you?
(she climbs down from the tree)
Faith: My name is Faith. The Dream Giver sent me to help you.
Ordinary: But its too late! (pause) My Dream is dead. When I needed the Dream Giver most he was nowhere to be found.
Faith: What did you need that you haven’t received?
Ordinary: Well if it hadn’t been for the few springs of water I found, I’d be dead of thirst by now!
Faith: Yes? And?
Ordinary: If it hadn’t been for the fruit I’d found I’d be a walking skeleton!... Wait I am a walking skeleton – I could die of starvation any minute now!
Faith: Oh my! And?
Ordinary: Well, a little guidance would have been nice. (he says with a huff) I’ve just been going round in circles. What a waste!
Faith: I see, so what will you do now?
Ordinary: Just tell me how to get back to Familiar
Faith: I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with that
Ordinary: That figures. The Dream Giver sends me a helper who can’t even help!
Faith: You might be right, but that’s for you to decide.
Faith walks away. Ordinary turns his back on Faith, then he changes his mind and turns around searching for Faith. She seems to have disappeared.
Ordinary: Faith! Faith!
Ordinary climbs up the tree to look for Faith
Ordinary: There! (He points) I can see Faith in the distance! (he mumbles quietly) Food enough for the day. Water, when I needed to drink. A path to follow that lead to Faith. How could I have been so blind! I have to follow Faith!
Narrator: So Ordinary followed the direction that Faith had walked in. Whenever he came across a scraggly tree he climbed it to look for Faith. And once he had her in sight he marked the direction and started walking again. One day Ordinary met some Dreamers returning to Familiar they told him a sad story.
Dreamer 1: Hello Friend.
Ordinary: Hello – are you guys Dreamers too?
Dreamer 2: Yes, well we were. We had been travelling for a long time and we crossed the Wasteland and almost made it to the Land of Promise.
Ordinary: What happened?
Dreamer 1: We met the Giants.
Dreamer 2:They were so large that we were completely overwhelmed and couldn’t carry on.
Dreamer 1: And now we are so tired, we’ve lost hope
Ordinary steps back a stride
Ordinary: Well I wish you a safe journey, but I’ll be going on.
He walks on a bit as they leave the stage
Ordinary: All my journeying through the wasteland was not a waste at all. I’ve learnt to trust Dream Giver. The journey has changed me and I know I can find the Land of Promise. I just know it!

Scene 3
Narrator
VOICE of Dream Giver
Ordinary
Commander
Props
River – shiny blue paper
Circle of tall trees
Bright circular light
Cardboard mountain

Narrator: One night Ordinary dreamed that the Dream Giver was standing near him. Ordinary is asleep on the stage
VOICE of Dream Giver: Well done, Ordinary! Come to my Sanctuary.
Ordinary: (wakes up) Was that dream true? Is Dream Giver really pleased with me?
He picks up his back pack and walks towards the trees – meanwhile the stage crew bring on a circle of trees with a bright light in the centre Ordinary walks round until he enters the circle of trees.
VOICE of Dream Giver: Come to the water
Narrator: Ordinary walked to the edge of the pool and slipped into the purest water he had ever seen. When he emerged from the pool, the last traces of the Waste Land had been washed away. Then Ordinary noticed that the light that had been shining all around him was shining through him. Trembling he looked. And he saw into his heart. He saw rebellion and selfishness and betrayal. And everywhere he looked he saw darkness. Tears began streaming down his cheeks.
Ordinary: Take away my darkness (he pleads with hands clasped) Give me your light!
VOICE of Dream Giver: Come closer to me.
Ordinary walks around the stage and climbs to the top of a mountain – (a chair)
He gazes out over the summit
Ordinary: What a glorious sight! – It’s the Land of Promise (he says it excitedly) I’ve made it! My Big Dream is right over there! (he’s shouting with excitement)
VOICE of Dream Giver: Yes
Ordinary: Wow – I wish my family could see this now!
VOICE of Dream Giver: Ordinary
Ordinary: Yes
VOICE of Dream Giver: Give me your Dream
Ordinary: What do you mean? It’s my Dream you gave it to me.
VOICE of Dream Giver: Yes and now I’m asking you to give it back
Ordinary: I can’t and I won’t
Ordinary turns his back on the audience and starts pacing across the stage
Ordinary: This isn’t fair. Why would the Dream Giver want to take away my Big Dream? How can he even ask? And after I’ve come so far? Dream Giver? – Do I have to give it up?
VOICE of Dream Giver: No, some choose not to
Ordinary: But then I will be upsetting Dream Giver. What shall I do?
Ordinary paces up and down in deep thought. Finally he sits cross legged on the stage with a feather and a parchment – he reads out as he writes.
Ordinary: I am surrendering my Dream to you, Dream Giver. I’ve decided that it’s you that I can’t go on without.
Behind him the Wilderness post man comes up behind.
He attempts to throw the letter anywhere but hits the postman in the face without noticing leaves his
plans and crosses over to the other side of the river on the stage. He hums ‘It’s a long
road to freedom… a winding steep and high’
Ordinary: What’s this? Another parchment?
He picks up the parchment and reads out load
VOICE of Dream Giver: “Ordinary, I am giving you back your Dream. Now you can use it to serve me. Now you can achieve truly Great Things. And I am with you always.
Ordinary kneels by the river and weeps with joy
Ordinary: Oh Dream Giver you’ve made my Big Dream even bigger – now it’s part of your Big Dream for the whole world
Narrator: The next morning Ordinary entered a broad valley that seemed to lead up to the Land of Promise – but then he noticed a sign.
One of the stage crew carries it in
BEWARE DREAMER
VALLEY OF THE GIANTS
Ordinary: This must be what the other dreamers were talking about. But how am I going to fight Giants I don’t have any weapons.
There s a loud crashing noise
Ordinary: Ahh! (he runs to hide behind a bush)
Commander: Hail brave warrior!
Ordinary: (he peaks out from behind the bush and squeals) Who…? Me?
Commander: Yes you behind that bush
Ordinary: I’m no warrior
Commander: Every Nobody who comes this far is a Warrior. I’m the Commander. The Dream Giver sent me to help you defeat your Giants.
Ordinary: He did? I do need help! – Compared to a Giant, I’m small and weak.
Commander: Don’t be afraid of any Giant, Ordinary. They’re real and enormous. They block the path to your Dream. But if you believe in the Dream Giver and you’re willing to take a Big Risk, you will get past them.
Ordinary: But I don’t have any weapons or armour!
Commander: All the truths you’ve learned on your journey so far will serve as your weapons and armour.
Ordinary: But how will I know what to do?
Commander: The Dream Giver will tell you and he will give you power if you ask for it.
Ordinary: Well that’s reassuring..
Commander: Beware of Unbelief, Ordinary. Unbelief is much more dangerous to your Dream than any Giant.
The commander turns swiftly round with a flourish and marches off the stage.
Narrator: Ordinary fought many battles in the valley of the Giants. Some Giants like Moneyless were obstacles that he had to get around. Some like Corruption opposed his Dream and fought fiercely. Others like Rejection attacked him personally and left him
deeply wounded. But Ordinary met other Dreamers too and they gathered to tell stories about the Dream Giver and encourage each other. Ordinary learned from other Dreamers to see the bigger picture. Every Giant was another opportunity for the Dream Giver to receive honour.

NARRATOR Once there were 3 builders, Bob, Tim & Geoff, & their crew. They were very good builders and close friends.

GEOFF “Lads, I’ve found a way of building a better type of building; better than any we’ve had before.”

GEOFF “It can survive any storm and its foundations are based on something that is indestructible.”

BOB & TIM (They stroke their chins. They respect Geoff, he has always been a good, reliable worker and friend – but they find it difficult to believe him)

GEOFF “From this manual that my friend lent me…… it’s got answers to everything in it.” (Geoff holds and shows the manual to them)

BOB ” Free! Cool, give me some. I always like freebies! Where can I get it?”

GEOFF “Well……. you can’t exactly go and get it; you have to receive it. It’s sort of a free gift from the master builder.”

GEOFF “Well it’s what you need as the foundation, right at the start.”

BOB & TIM Turn their backs to Geoff, look at one another and make signs to suggest that Geoff is going a bit crazy!

TIM “So Geoff….Lets forget about us getting this faith, we’ll use yours. How are we going to make this new building?”

TIM “ You are joking, aren’t you? I’ve used all these tools since I’ve been a child! They’ve done so much work. They’ve helped us all make so many good, strong buildings before! You can’t be serious! ”

GEOFF “I’m afraid so. If you keep them you cannot even begin to make these strong buildings.”

TIM "Well, Geoff, I think you’ve gone mad! Can I not just store them in the tool shed, just in case we need them later?; it’s not going to harm anyone.”

GEOFF ”I’m afraid not. It is quite clear about this point in the manual, You must be willing to give away all your usual tools. You’ve got to use faith, and only faith and fully rely on it. Sorry Tim.”

TIM “So….. I can’t be on this project if I don’t do it? You’re choosing this stupid ‘Faith thing’ over ME? After all these years, after all the good times we’ve had together?”

GEOFF “Sorry Tim. I really want you to join me…… I really do. But, it’s just that the only way to do this is through faith. The manual says so.”

(Tim kicks his feet in to the dirt, like a small child having a tantrum, bows his head and walks away, muttering loudly……)

BOB “Ok Geoff, I’m willing to give up all my tools and rely on this “faith thing”. Let’s go!”

GEOFF “Great! Just quickly go tell your family and friends that we’re off on a journey and you won’t see them for a while.” (Geoff presumes Bob realises this and just says it matter of factly)

BOB “The job isn’t round here then?...Hmmm………… I’m not sure I can leave my friends and family, I love them so much….and then there’s the Sunday football sessions, the pubs, clubbing, sports, my house…………… how long are we going for?!”

GEOFF “I’m not sure exactly, we have to rely on Faith and go where we are directed. We have to follow the manual, go on a journey and see where we are taken. But don’t worry, even though the journey may be bumpy in places we will still be looked after throughout. “

BOB “It’s a lot you are asking Geoff. You may be able to give it all up, and this building does seem fab, but right now, I can’t see it and I can’t live in it. If I’m going to have it, I want it now. I like my house, my friends, my nights out doing exactly what I want to do.

GEOFF ” But Bob, this is something that lasts forever & ever. It’s better than anything you have or can dream of having.”

BOB “Maybe I’ll join you later or when you make another building. I’ve got to go now, I’m meeting up with the lads. Bye.”

BUILDER’s APPRENTICE “Excuse me sir, I overheard what you were saying and wondered if I could join you; or are only your friends allowed?”

BUILDER’s APPRENTICE " I don’t have the proper building certificates or many fancy tools to give you, but I will give you what I have. I am willing to come on the journey - if I’m allowed?”

GEOFF “Of course you are! It says so in the manual…….right here! We’ll get others to join us on the way and build this fabulous new building. We’ll then receive the prize promised to all of us who take part.

Tim – self reliance (relying on self, his own abilities, past experience, and worldly aids to achieve his goals, rather than relying on faith in God)

Bob – clinging to the things of this world (e.g. job, friends, relationships, possessions, hobbies and social events)

Dan: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My name is Dan Stanfield and I’m a lawyer. I know, I know everyone here is from Birmingham church and you’re all doctors. Well you’ll just have to trust me… even if I do specialise in medico-legal cases…

I want to tell you my story, well really it’s how I learnt about Christmas and how God introduced me to His Son, Jesus Christ.

A few years ago just after I left law school I did a couple of jobs as a journalist. They sent me to interview a grandmother in a council flat.

Curtain opens and an old lady is sitting on a wooden stool in front of a bare cupboard

Dan: Merry Christmas to you! It’s a bit chilly in here; have you got the heating on?

Grandmother: (looks a bit embarrassed) No, sorry sir. To tell you the truth we lost everything in the fire that killed my daughter and her husband. I’ve been looking after my two granddaughters as best as I can, but we even lost all our ID and citizens advice bureau aren’t sure that we can get all our paperwork sorted before Christmas so I can get my pension and some child care allowance for the winter

Grandmother: Well thank God my grand daughters have a grey jumper they can share. They have to walk ten minutes to school so each of them wears it over their dresses for half of the journey and then they swop.

Dan turns back to the audience and stands in front of the curtain as it is drawn behind him

Dan: Well, you can imagine how I felt. I wrote vividly about the stark conditions that this family were living in as I was so horrified at the amount of poverty even in a western society. However another part of me envied this Grandmother – how could she still trust God and be so peaceful in the face of so much poverty?

I’m not a bad journalist, if I do say so myself (he strokes a fake mustache).

Well anyway a lot of publicity was generated for this family and they received a lot of gifts before Christmas, so I went to visit them.

Grandmother and two granddaughters have their coats on and are putting presents into bags. As Dan enters the room they look up to see him

Dan: Good evening, it’s great to see you have a few more warm things over Christmas

Grandmother: Yes thank God, He has sent us many great gifts this Christmas. Of course the best gift of all is His only begotten Son.

Dan: (He shakes his head) I don’t understand, you look like you were about to go out when I came in.

Grandmother: Yes, thank God we have enough food and clothes, but many of our neighbours have nothing. We need to go and share some of these blessings with them too.

Dan: Are you telling me you’re about to give away you’re Christmas presents?

Granddaughters: Yes come on Gran we already told Jessie and Anne we had some delicious mince pies to give them – we’re going to be late!

Dan: I can’t believe it. They’re giving away all their presents!!! I’ve always had lots of Christmas presents and I’ve never given them away. Come to think of it I’ve never been anywhere near as joyful as that family at Christmas.

He puts up his hands in the air and then sits on the floor of the stage hand on cheek.

I think I need to see an old friend, he was a university professor and I think he’s a Christian.

Curtain opens with Dan and the Professor sitting opposite each other at a desk

Professor: There are more than sixty major prophecies in the old testament about the coming of Christ and these were written hundreds and hundreds of years before the coming of Christ.

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel”

Simeon the prophet didn’t think this was a logical course of events and while trying to copy out the bible he changed the translation of the word VIRGIN to LADY. Well he tried to do it, his pen nib broke 3 times.

Professor: Well an angel appeared to him and told him he would not die until he’d seen all these things come true.

Professor: Yes the new testament says that he carried the baby Jesus Christ in the temple and glorified God.

Dan: Well I guess he must have given up his writing after that! Anything else convincing?

Professor: Many more! Micah, the prophet tells us exactly where the Messiah will be born. Micah 5:2

Dan: Yeah, but I bet hundreds of people have been born in Bethleham through the ages.

Professor: Well, king Herod heard from the three wise men that a child was born in Bethleham and would be the new ruler of Israel. Jealousy overwhelmed him. He feared for his kingdom. He didn’t know that Jesus Christ is a heavenly king.

Dan: (IMPATIENTLY) That still doesn’t explain why baby Jesus went to Egypt

Herod commanded the killing of all the babies in Bethleham under 2 years of age, but the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and warned them to escape to Egypt before the soldiers came.

Dan: Oh my goodness, how cruel King Herod was. But I guess at least the angel helped Jesus escape.

Professor: Yes, but God had great plans and through Jesus Christ He made a new covenant with mankind. As He said in Jeremiah 31:33

Dan: Look, there’s a lot more to this Christmas story than I ever realised.

(He smiles and puts an arm around him) Come on my friend, let’s talk over lunch.


	Copyright © 2008 Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands & Affiliated Areas. All rights reserved. Last Updated: 15/03/2008