The bible tells us the story of Jesus birth in Luke 2. I wonder what the TV news would have been like that night when the Son of God, the one who spoke the world into being, was presented to all of mankind as a gift. I am sure they would have understood who this baby was and why he came to earth. Or would they? I wonder……….(Look up into air and ponder)
(Background news music start right away) (Intro exits shortly after)

Voice off stage: This is station WWJD bring you your action news and here is your anchorman Walter Cronburg.

Walter: Good evening and welcome to the 6:00 news at 5:00. Tonight on the news we will look into traffic, weather and sports. First the news. People are arriving in droves to register for the census and reports have it that all hotels and motels are filled past capacity. Lets go to our traffic reporter and see how things are going. Heman can you here me? (Heman up stage)

HEMAN: Yes, I am here on location at the main entrance to Jerusalem and traffic has been heavy all day. Earlier today we had a 5-donkey pileup (Count out fingers) oh never mind make that 4-donkey pileup. Anyway they are just getting things cleaned up from that, and traffic is just now returning to normal.

Walter: Thank you for that report. Now we turn to Noah for our weather report. Noah what will our weather be for tomorrow?

NOAH: Well here in the weather center we see that we are going to have scattered light during the morning; tonight and tomorrow we will have rain, which could be wet at times. We may have clouds or we may not. Our 5-day non acu-u-weather forecast is continued darkness during the night along with sunshine breaking in the morning. Over to you Walter.

Walter: Will someone be able to fix it?

Noah: Fix what?

Walter: The broken morning!

Noah: Oh never mind.

Voice off stage: We interrupt this newscast for a special bulletin (Paper handed to Walter).

Walter: I have just been handed this bulletin. (read over paper) It appears we have some activity taking place in Jerusalem. We are going to our reporter on the street, Mr. Johnny on the spot.

(REPORTER ON STAGE)

REPORTER: Thank you Walter. Tonight, I have been called to Jerusalem for a strange disturbance. We are here in a small town called Bethlehem. Here are some folks (SHEPHERDS WALK UP) ... pardon me, could I ask you some questions?

(Sheep starts walking around)

1st SHEP: Sure, man.

REPORTER: You guys live around here?

2nd SHEP: Yep-we tend sheep in these fields.

REPORTER: Right. What's happening here? Why have you left your sheep?

lst SHEP: We went to see a newborn baby and ...

REPORTER: This late?

3rd SHEP: Sounds weird, huh? I'll explain. You see, I was sittin' by the fire, playin' my flute ...

2nd SHEP: She doesn't need to hear about that. Tell her what happened when ... (whispers to 3rd shepherd)

3rd SHEP: Okay, okay. Keep your robe on!!. I was sittin' by the fire, playin' my flute, when suddenly the sun came up.

REPORTER: At midnight?

2nd SHEP: The sun didn't come up. But that light; it was as bright as the sun!

REPORTER: (EXCITED) Wow, this is great! Go on!

3rd SHEP: Then an angel spoke to us.

REPORTER: A what?

3rd SHEP: An angel.

REPORTER: (TO SHEPHERDS) Okay. (TO AUDIENCE) This is your Action Reporter signing off ...

1st SHEP: Wait! Dude! Please listen!

REPORTER: You guys have been hanging around sheep too long.

(Sheep Bahhh)

2nd SHEP: Strange, huh? I wouldn't have believed it either if it hadn't happened to me.

REPORTER: Okay, go on. Then what?

3rd SHEP: Well, I was sittin' by the fire. playin'

REPORTER: (INTERRUPTING) After that.

2nd SHEP: I'll tell him. We were frightened.

lst SHEP: We like couldn't move dude.

REPORTER: Then?

lst SHEP: He said, "Don't be afraid! I've got totally good news!"

(Sheep falls off and Bahhhhhh)

REPORTER: (MORE INTERESTED NOW) What was the "news?"

2nd SHEP: He told us that a baby, different than any other baby, was to be born tonight.

REPORTER: Different? How?

lst SHEP: This baby is to be our Savior, Christ the Lord.

REPORTER: What does that mean?

3rd SHEP: It means He's finally come - the Messiah!

2nd SHEP: This is the one promised by the prophets.

REPORTER: How can a baby save anybody?

1st SHEP: God promised that this baby will grow up to be our deliverer, the King of Kings.

REPORTER: How do you know this baby is the one?

2nd SHEP: The angel told us about Him and how to find Him.

1st SHEP: We went and found the child. Wow, what a sight! I never thought a stable could be so bo-day-tious

REPORTER: You found the King of Kings in a stable? What kind of king is he going to be.?

2nd SFEP: We're not sure about that, but we are sure that He is the Christ Child.

REPORTER: This is pretty wild!

3rd SHEP: Go to the stable. See for yourself.

REPORTER: Right! Oh, what happened to the angel?

3rd SHEP: Well, I was sittin' by the ...

2nd SHEP: Not again!

1st SHFP: When the angel finished, the sky filled with angels. They were like singing praises to God.

REPORTER: (EXCITED) You guys saw all this and I'm the first to know? What a scoop!

2nd SHEP: Sorry, but we've told everybody we've seen.

REPORTER: (SADLY) There goes my really big story.

3rd SHEP: You still have the story. This is the best news ever!

REPORTER: Right! I'm headed for the stable. Wow, a new king and I'm here to see Him. This is your Action Reporter signing...

1st SHEP: Wait! Wait! We'd like to say hello to all our friends out there ... (ALL 3 SHEPHERDS BEGIN SAYING -"HI" TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS-)

1st SHEP: Dude, where's my sheep?

Walter: (Hold hand up to ear) I have just received word that we have a special correspondent coming to us from Jerusalem Rabbi John Buta can you here me. (do not look at Rabbi).

Rabbi: (come up stage do not look at Walter) Yes Walter I can here you.

Walter: I understand you have just heard our bulletin and you are a renowned expert on the bible is that not correct.

Rabbi: Yes I have heard the live report from WWJD and I have studied the scriptures ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

Walter: What do you make of these outstanding events that have taken place tonight.

Rabbi: In the book of Micah 5.2 It states "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 is saying that the Son of God shall come from Bethlehem. And we know from your eyewitness's that is where they saw the child tonight.

Walter: And this child, what will his name be?

Rabbi: According to Isa:9:6 it states "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".

Walter: That's a mouth full.

Rabbi: Yes it is; but he will be all those wonderful things.

Walter: Why would God send his Son to live with mankind?

Rabbi: Well as you know ever since our ancestors, Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God in the garden a penalty had to be paid for those sins.

Walter: Of course we have to make our yearly sacrifices.

Rabbi: In a way you are correct bur the sacrifices we make are only covering our sins until the ultimate sacrifice the sinless one I believe to be Gods only son. And this child scriptures tells us will be born of a virgin. This is whom I believe we are witnesses to the birth of tonight.

Walter: Surely you don't believe the God creator of the Heavens and earth will send His son to us as a baby.

Rabbi: Oh I sure do, what better way to lead His people and speak to them but by example, and by serving them.

Walter: Well Rabbi thank you for spending time with us tonight and I guess we will just need to wait and see what happens. I am sure if he is the Son of God everyone will worship Him and he will be the leader of this world and all will Love Him. This is Walter Crongburg for WWJD news saying good night.

Sr. High: On the Scene Closing Invitation and Prayer God has given us His word and it is the bible. Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." This verse tells us that Christ was born for You! For the world to know a true miracle, unconditional love, and truth. Today we find gifts wrapped with pretty paper and bows but God's gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes. A little baby boy born in a stable surrounded by animals and straw. Through our story today we heard that the Shepard received a message from heavenly angels announcing the birth of a King. Most kings rule from large palaces, our king came to serve us and pay for the penalty of our sins. God is a just God and demands a payment for our sins and that payment is death. Romans 6:23, states "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Jesus Christ died for our sins, he took our punishment and paid our debt. His gift is available to you today, all you have to do is accept it. God loves you and wants a personal relationship with you. He wants to make you a brand new person in Christ! You can have this joy and love that only Jesus Christ can bring into your life. He asks that we accept him as our personal Lord and savior. This means to let him take control of our life. Believe that he is the One and only Son of God who came to this earth to die on a cross and shed His blood for our sins. And that he was buried, rose from the dead on the third day, and is now in heaven with the Father, God. We need to confess our sins. Sin is anything we think, say or do that displeases God. Tell God you are sorry for those sins and ask him to forgive you. Lets pray, bow your heads please. If you have never asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and want to have Jesus in your heart, and would like to do so now all you need to do is pray this prayer with me. Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I ask that you will lead and direct my life. I ask you into my heart to be Lord over my life. Amen. If you have prayed this prayer please come tell one of the puppet team members so we can share the joy with you.