WHAT SHALL I GIVE TO A KING
Plays and Scripts
Preliminary
Choir sings: Joy to the World (Traditional)
Worship Leader: After the choir sings all verses, the worship leader invites the congregation to stand and sing the first verse and chorus again.
Opening Prayer:
Program Introduction: What Shall I Give to the King?
Stage Direction - After prayer and everyone is seated, the program is introduced and the lights are dimmed.
Children's choir: Song: Silent Night-Holy Night (Non-traditional)
Verse 1:
Choir:
Silent night, holy night!
Silent night, holy night!
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Soloist 1:
Round yon Virgin, Mother and the Child.
Soloist 2:
Holy infant, tender and mild.
Choir:
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Verse 2:
Choir:
Silent night, holy night!
God has come, Love's pure light.
Soloist 1:
See this wonder, which has come to earth,
Soloist 2:
God Son is born through virgin birth,
Choir:
Bringing heavenly peace,
Bringing heavenly peace.
Soloist 1&2:
Silent night, holy night!
Choir:
All is calm, all is bright.
Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Second verse and arrangement by Loyd Taylor
Action: Play begins:
Sound tech: Play soft background music: Silent Night
Narrator:
On a cold winter’s day, 2,000 years ago in the little country town of Bethlehem, an amazing proclamation announced the coming visit of a Royal King. However, the King was to be born there that night, in a stable among animals, because there were no vacancies at the inns. His name is to be called Jesus after instructions were given by an angel to his parents.
The town was abuzz with the prospects of a visitation from this Baby King Jesus. A “king is coming to Bethlehem, a king is coming to Bethlehem” is heard throughout the streets. Where is he, in what stable is he? The question resonated everywhere. He has been moved to a private home came the answer.
Sound tech: Music fades completely out...
Narrator:
In those days, it was customary to present a gift to a person of royalty when you appeared before him. The question on everyone's mind seemed to be, "What shall I give to a King?"
Shops were packed with anxious shoppers, seeking just the right gift to present to this royal visitor.
However, one family in particular found themselves in a bit of a dilemma: although they were very happy about the news, they were also very poor, so, "What could they possibly give to a King?"
Let's ponder this question for a moment. "If you were called into the presence of a king and wished to present to him a gift, "What would you give a King?"
Samuel's family received their answer from a mysterious visit and whispered message of an angel.
We invite you to enter into their world for just a brief moment as we visit them in their humble cottage. You may be able to help them solve their dilemma as we witness the family trying to decide just how to handle the exciting news.
Samuel is known as Samuel of Urr. He is a good man, a respectable and hard working carpenter. He isn't wealthy, but manages to provide for his family. Merriam is his wife. Rachel, Hannah and Caleb are their three children.
Samuel has just put in another exhausting day's work. On his way home, as he approaches his little cottage, he hears the "Town-crier" making a proclamation of an exciting event that will occur shortly. He can hardly believe his ears! Samuel hurries home to share the news with his family.
Stage Direction: Have Children's Choir take their places to prepare for their song.
Children's Choir: Go Tell It on the Mountain (Non-traditional)
Go tell it on the mountain...
Go tell it on the mountain...
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born!
Go tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born!
Go tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born!
That Jesus Christ is born!
Arrangement by Loyd Taylor
FADE OUT...
Opening Scene
FADE IN...
Stage Directions: Samuel can be seen slumped over and lugging his tool box and lunch pail. His head hangs low as he makes his way exhaustively towards his house. The Town-Crier begins, Samuel stops to listen.
Narrator: The "Town-Crier" holds an ancient parchment that gave predictions of this king's birth. He goes about the town, shouting from the street corners, making sure everyone knows about this special event.
Listen! I hear him now:
FADE OUT...
FADE IN...
Stage Direction: Town-Crier appears, unrolls a scroll and reads the Proclamation.
Town-Crier:
Hear ye, hear ye... Let every ear hear and every heart receive the solemn words I hereby proclaim today. There is cause for celebration! The awaited King of Israel is in our town as prophesied:
Isa:7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Isa:9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa:9:7: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Isa:11:1: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Isa:11:2: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;"
Mic:5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
This baby king has been named Jesus, for he has been sent to save his people! The words I proclaim unto you today have been written by holy men of old though the Spirit of the Almighty God. Blessed are the ears that hear and hearts that receive. Let us make haste to prepare for the sacred event!
Stage direction: The Town-Crier moves from the location and disappears. He can be heard reading faintly in the distance until he is out of hearing distance.
FADE OUT...
Scene Two
FADE IN...
Stage Direction:
Samuel picks up his pace as well as his head and heads for his home to share the news he has just heard. He comes running into his house, excitedly places his toolbox (and lunchbox) down and calls for his wife and children.
Samuel: Family come, come quickly! Gather around.
Stage Direction:
Samuel is pacing, as an expectant father might over the news of a new born child.
(Family enters)
Merriam enters first into the room, makes a bowing gesture to her husband, and takes his lunch pail and cloak.
Rachel enters bowing, and then stands near her mom.
Hannah and Caleb enter, give their dad a quick hug, and then take their places on the floor near his feet.
Merriam has a concerned look on her face; she comes nearer to her husband.
Merriam: What is it, Samuel? What are you so excited about?
Samuel: Woman, I have just heard the most amazing news!
Rachel: Oh Father, what is this great news?
Stage Direction: Hannah jumps up and down excitedly.
Hannah: Will we be getting a pony or a new baby lamb?
Stage Direction:
Caleb looks intently at his father and listens, but does not speak.
Stage Direction: Samuel motions for them to settle down, gesturing with his hands.
Samuel: Family, listen to me; a king is coming to visit our small town!
Merriam: A king? A king is coming to Bethlehem?
Samuel: Woman, it is true. The Town-crier proclaimed it earlier this very day, on this very street. It is true, it is true! He is the one the prophets spoke of, his name is Jesus. This king is God's Son!
Merriam: Husband, if you are sure you heard correctly, then this is indeed good news!
Samuel: Woman, I heard every word. Baby King Jesus is coming to our town. We must prepare! Everyone will be doing special things to honor him. I am sure he will receive many gifts. Family, this will be a day to remember!"
Hannah: Hannah jumps up excitedly, shouting repeatedly, "A king is coming! A king is coming!"
Rachel: Mother, may I make a new dress? Oh, I must take down my new material and get started on a new dress!
Stage Direction:
Rachel elegantly leaves the room.
Hannah excitedly jumps up and down.
Hannah: Mother, mother, may I also have a new dress and may I have some new shoes? Please, please?
Stage Direction:
Hannah runs out of the room all excited before her mom could respond.
Samuel appears to be concerned, wringing his hands. He paces to the window and stares out.
Merriam: You seemed troubled, my lord.
Stage Direction: Caleb sees his father's concerned look, stops playing with his donkey, staring curiously at his father.
Samuel: Come here, Merriam, and let us talk.
Stage Direction:
Samuel sits down at the small wooden table, motioning for Merriam to join him.
Merriam pours them a cup of juice and places a loaf of bread before him, then takes a seat as they proceed to talk.
During the entire time, Caleb hasn't said a word. He has been playing with his toy donkey. He moves closer to hear what his parents will talk about. He places his hands to his cheeks as if in deep thought and listens intently.
Adult Choir sings: O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (Non-traditional)
FADE OUT:
Scene Three
FADE IN:
Stage Direction: Conversation takes place between Merriam and Samuel
Samuel: I am deeply concerned about the arrival of this new king.
Merriam: My Lord, I thought you were happy. What is it that troubles you so?
Samuel: I am concerned because everyone will be bringing special gifts to present to the king... I fear that what we shall be able to give him will be so unworthy.
Merriam: What is it that you plan to give to the king?
Samuel: I have saved up several gold coins from the wages earned from my carpentry shop, to us they are worth a year's wages, but what would they be to a king?
Merriam: My Lord, if I might be allowed to speak?
Samuel: Speak, Woman... Speak!
Merriam:
If it would please my Lord, allow your daughters and me to bake three loaves of bread using our finest wheat. Then, if it pleases my Lord, we shall also prepare one of our purest flasks of wine. We shall weave a beautiful basket to place these items in.
Then my Lord, you may present these gifts as well as your gold to this new king.
Samuel: Woman that is a wonderful idea!
Merriam: I shall get started right away, if it pleases you, my Lord.
Samuel: Thou art a gift thyself to me, Woman! Thank you. May the God of our fathers bless the work of your hands.
Merriam: I suppose I should go and gain the help of our daughters as we prepare for the great event.
Samuel: God's blessings, Woman. We will only be permitted to have a small space of time, we must hasten! I will go, prepare a small wooden box for the gold.
Stage Direction:
Samuel and Merriam hurriedly leave the room while Caleb is left alone.
Caleb rises, steps to the window and gazes up at the sky; he seems to be lost in deep thought. Then he folds his hands in prayer as he speaks...
Narrator:
The family members each have their own part to play in the great celebration. All, it seems, but Caleb. He seems to have been overlooked in all the excitement, maybe because he is just a little boy. After all, what could a little boy like Caleb do anyway? He has no gold or silver; he has no job... He only has his little donkey, maybe a nice gift for a little boy, but certainly not suitable for a real king.
Although he is just a little boy, he seems to know how important this event is, but he finds himself in a difficult predicament. He had heard of the nice gifts everyone would give to King Jesus, but he had nothing. The question troubled his mind, "What Shall I Give to a King?"
Caleb: Dear God, I am just a little boy. Mother and Father, even my sisters have a gift to give the baby king.
Stage Direction: Caleb pauses, slumps his shoulders disappointedly... Caleb continues his prayer.
Caleb: Dear God, what gift shall I give to a King?
Stage Direction: Caleb arises and goes to the window and looks to the sky as he sings: "JUST A LITTLE BOY"
Caleb sings: JUST A LITTLE BOY (solo)(First and second verse and first chorus)
Verse 1:
Here I stand, just a little boy;
Among so many in your world.
Here I stand, with empty hands-
So, what shall I give to my King?
Verse 2:
Here I stand, just a little boy;
I long to bring his heart true joy.
Here I stand, with empty hands-
So, what shall I give to my King?
Chorus:
I am little, I am small;
But a gift I want to bring.
Just one gift and that is all-
So, what shall I give to my King?
What shall I give to the King?
Written by Loyd Taylor
Stage Direction: Caleb moves slowly from the window, and then settles back to the floor. He proceeds to play somewhat sadly with his donkey.
Adult Choir: A Little Boy, Too_ (With Solo)
FADE OUT...
Scene Five
FADE IN:
Stage Direction:
On cue, the stage goes completely dark for a couple of seconds, and then when the lights come on, the Angel is standing in the room.
Caleb stops playing, goes back to the window again.
Caleb: Dear God, can you help me, "What gift shall I give to the King?"
Stage Direction: Cue for lights.
Stage Direction: Angel appears to Caleb.
Angel: Caleb!
Stage Direction: Caleb turns towards the voice and appears startled when he sees the angel.
Angel: Caleb, God has heard your prayer.
Caleb: Are you an angel?
Angel: Yes Caleb, I am one of God's angels.
God sees your heart. He knows you are just a little boy and that you do not possess expensive gifts. Caleb, God wants you to know that there is one gift that is worth more than gold, silver, jewels or any other material things.
This gift is the one God would love to have given to him more than anything else. Caleb, that gift is in your power to give.
Caleb: Hosanna! What do I have? Please tell me.
Angel: I shall blow you a heavenly message as a whisper in your ear to tell you of the best gift to give the King. It will be your choice as to whether you give it. If you choose to give this gift to the King, then He wishes you to share this heavenly message with others also. Tell them that above all of the gold, above all of the silver and diamonds, yes, above everything, there is one thing that each person possesses. It is a gift that God would be honored to have.
Caleb: Please, please tell me, tell me!
Angel: Caleb, hold your hand to your ear and receive the heavenly message.
Stage Direction:
The angel extends his hands, moves his mouth, and then magically blows the heavenly message to Caleb (similar to blowing a kiss).
Caleb cups his ear and acts as if he receives the message.
Caleb's eyes grow large. He jumps up for joy! He turns around and around with joy.
Caleb: Hosanna! Hosanna!
Stage Direction: Caleb goes over to face the window, looks heavenward... folds his hands and prays...
Stage Direction: On cue, the stage goes completely dark for a couple of seconds, and then when the lights come on, the Angel has vanished.
Caleb: Dear God, thank you for the gift to give to the king
Stage Direction: Cue for lights.
FADE OUT:
Stage Direction: At the ending of Caleb’s prayer the family enters.
FADE IN:
Stage Direction: Family enters one by one into the room where Caleb is. Caleb turns happily to face the family.
Merriam: Caleb, what was all the shouting about?
Samuel: Is everything all right, my son?
Rachel: Did you see something?
Hannah: Did you see a mouse?
Caleb: I saw an angel!
Hannah: A real angel?
Caleb: A real angel!
Rachel: What did he want?
Caleb: He told me what I could give the new king!
Hannah: Is it your toy donkey?
Stage Direction: Hannah runs over, picks up the toy donkey and points at it.
Rachel: You are just a little boy, what could you possibly give to a king?
Caleb: Come closely, I will whisper and tell you what the angel told me.
Stage Direction: The family huddles eagerly around Caleb as he whispers them the angel’s message.
Narrator:
What was the heavenly message the angel whispered to Caleb?
What was it that Caleb had to give to King Jesus?
What was it that the angel told Caleb that every person has that they could give to the King as well?
FADE OUT:
Final Scene
FADE IN:
Stage Direction: The family hugs each other in joy.
Samuel raises his hands in praise towards heaven.
Samuel: Praise be to our God! Son Caleb, this is great news!
Stage Direction: The family happily turns to face the audience.
Samuel: We must share the news with one and all!
Stage Direction: Samuel and Caleb step briskly forward. Samuel cups his hands to his mouth as if he is shouting to the town.
Samuel: Listen, listen everyone. My son Caleb has learned an important lesson this day. He has learned that King Jesus is not concerned about treasures of gold, or silver.
There is one thing that he longs for above all gift!
Stage Direction: Background music for the poem fades in…
The children come forward who will recite the poem.
Poem Readers: Recite poem “What to Give a King?”
Have you heard the news? A King is born!
Yes, a King, born on this winter's morn!
But He has no crown or lavish robes;
He lies in manger, in swaddling clothes.
I long to visit this new born King,
Alas, what gift shall I to Him bring?
I have no frankincense, myrrh or gold,
I have no treasure that He may hold.
As I pondered on some gift to bring,
I know what He deserves as my King;
My cherished treasure I will impart,
On this Christmas day I give my heart.
Written by Loyd Taylor
Stage Direction:
Music fades as children are seated.
Samuel and Caleb walk forward.
Samuel: Caleb my son, tell us what the angel told you.
Stage Direction: Samuel steps back and Caleb steps forward in the spot light.
Caleb sings: JUST A LITTLE BOY (solo) (Third verse and chorus)
Verse 3:
Here I stand, just a little boy;
Now I know what He longs for.
Here I stand, with open hands-
My heart will I give to my King.
Chorus 2:
I am little, I am small;
I own not expensive things.
One gift I have and that is all-
My heart will I give to my King!
My heart will I give to my King!
My heart will I give to my King!
Stage Direction:
Allow music to stop from Caleb’s song
Caleb raises his voice and shouts...
Caleb: Jesus the King wants my heart and he wants yours too!
FADE OUT:
FADE IN...
CONCLUSION
Sound tech: Silent Night (Traditional) Music only plays in the background.
Narrator:
During this special time of year we celebrate the birth of God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
He came to earth and was born of the Virgin Mary in the town of Bethlehem.
Even though he was given expensive gifts, such as gold, frankincense and myrrh, he longs for something more.
No, it is not silver or gold. It is not diamond and rubies. It is not even our good deeds or our religious service.
What God wants us to give to the King of kings is our hearts. God want your hearts. God wants my heart.
Would you give Jesus the King your heart this Christmas?
How can we do this?
We give him our heart when we believe upon Him and accept Him as our savior and our Lord.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV
Would you do so today?
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
Finale:
Congregation: Silent Night (Traditional)
THE END
Stage direction: At the conclusion, every participant is to come forward for recognition and final applause. This includes sound and light techs. The sound tech can place a lively musical selection “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” to play automatically, then come and join the participants on stage.
Prayer
Author's notes:
This play was written to be performed at Immanuel Baptist Church, December 19, 2010
Special thanks for their help in editing:
Barbara Pappan, owner of "Dreamchasers Literary Agency"
Dave Aranda-Richards, Wanda Weaver, Robert Sprigg and Nina Marshall, Editors
