Running Time: Approximately 5 minutes Themes: Christ s eternal presence, Christmas, God s love, Salvation, Creation Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2:7, 9, 19; 5:1-2; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:28-35; John 1:1-14; 3:16; 10:10; 12:44-45 Synopsis: A careful blending of Scripture from the Old and New Testaments reveals Christ s eternal presence and God s love, purpose, and plan of salvation. Cast: READER 1 READER 2 READER 3 In the Beginning is written as Reader s Theatre for three or more players. All roles may be read by male or female. When additional readers are used, they should read only lines designated by ALL. Costumes: Contemporary dress. Dramatic effect may be heightened by costuming all readers in black and white. Reader 2 may wear all white. READER 1: was the Word. READER 2: the Word was with God. READER 3: the Word was God.... Lillenas Drama Presents IN THE BEGINNING From Worship Creatively By Lee Wade 1
ALL: God created. READER 2: God created the heavens and the earth. ALL: All things were made by him. READER 2: In the beginning, ALL: Nothing, not one thing was made without him. ALL: In him was life. READER 3: In his image, in his likeness. READER 2: In the day that God created man READER 1: And breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, READER 2: Man became a living soul. ALL: In him was life. READER 1: He created them male and female. READER 3: And blessed them. READER 2: And named them Man. READER 1: In the beginning..., God created. In him was life and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness and the darkness READER 1: did not comprehend it, READER 3: has not overpowered it, READER 2: can never extinguish it. ALL: That Life was the Light of every man. READER 1: He was in the world READER 2: and the world was made by him, 2
READER 3: and the world knew him not. ALL: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. READER 2: Don t be afraid, Mary. God is pleased with you. The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The power of the Most High will cover you. The child you bring to earth will be called holy, Son of God. READER 3: You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ALL: For God so loved the world, the Word became flesh and READER 3: Mary brought forth her firstborn Son READER 1: and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, READER 2: and laid him in a manger. ALL: He came unto his own and his own received him not. READER 3: There was no room for them in the inn. ALL: The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. READER 2: God loved the world so much, READER 1: He was in the world. ALL: We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. READER 1: And the world was made by him. READER 2: He came unto his own that whoever believes on him should never die, but have everlasting life. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. READER 1: And the world did not recognize him. READER 3: I am come that you might have life more abundant. Life. ALL: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. READER 1: There were shepherds in the fields nearby, watching their flocks by night. 3
READER 2: And the angel said, Do not be afraid. I bring good news! Great joy will be to all people! READER 3: For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior. ALL: That whosoever believes on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. READER 3: He is Christ the Lord! READER 2: And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, READER 1: Almighty God, Prince of Peace, ALL: And of his Kingdom there shall be no end. And the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end. Optional music: Angels We Have Heard on High begins softly in the background, building to the chorus, Gloria in excelsis Deo as the reading ends., God created. READER 1: In him was life. READER 2: That life was the Light of men. READER 3: Jesus said, I am the Light that has come into the world. No one that has faith in me will stay in the darkness. READER 2: That Light shines in the darkness and the darkness ALL: did not understand it, has not overpowered it, can never extinguish it. READER 3: But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become sons and daughters of God. ALL: For God so loved the world READER 1: In the beginning... ALL: He gave. 4
The purchase of this sketch entitles the purchaser to make photocopies of this material for use in their church or nonprofit organization. Please include the copyright statement on each copy made. Sharing of material with other churches or organizations not owned or controlled by the original purchaser is strictly prohibited. All scripture quotations and paraphrases are from the following copyrighted versions of the Bible and are used by permission. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV ). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The Message (TM). Copyright 1993. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Questions? Please write, call, or E-mail: Lillenas Publishing Company Drama Resources P.O. Box 419527 Kansas City, MO 64141 Phone: 816-931-1900 Fax: 816-412-8390 E-mail: drama@lillenas.com Web Site: www.lillenasdrama.com The CD-ROM collection Worship Creatively (MP-865CD) is available for purchase from Lillenas Drama or from your local Christian bookstore. For a full description of the rest of this collection, or to purchase other individual sketches, refer to www.lillenasdrama.com. 5