Dialog for the Christmas Play

Luke 1:67–79 CSB

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant— the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 2:25–38 CSB

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 4:14–21 CSB

Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity. He was teaching in their synagogues, being praised by everyone. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, and unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

Matthew 3:1–12 CSB

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then people from Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the vicinity of the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.”

Matthew 3:13–17 CSB

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed him to be baptized. When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”

Grab: Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill - Knew where he was going to be, threw before Tyreek cut to the outside

The Pass: Isa 61:1-3

Isaiah 61:1–3 CSB

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him.

The Pass in Isa: A Messiah is coming, “go long!”, pass

Spirit in Isa 61:1-3

Author / inspire Isaiah

Sign of Messiah

Sum: author of the dialog, but also foreshadowing the sign of the lead character

RV: Metaphor and Platform

PV: Now, some of the dialog of the play, HS = playwright

Prayer:

BG

We saw him earlier

Priest, angel, not believe, can’t talk

Wrong: “His name is John” - poof

HS filled —> this prophecy

Prophecy (dialog of the play, but authored by HS)

Lk 1:67-79

Luke 1:67–79 CSB

Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times; salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant— the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

(68-75) 1/3 RE Blessing God for:

He Visited us - presence especially noticeable, He visited throughout Israel’s history, but about to be like never before

He Provided us redemption - free another @cost, their history, again about to be like never before

He Brought us salvation - rescue after rescue (slavery, invasion, exile, apostasy, sin), again about to be like never before

He Completed OT prophecy, continuing salvation-history - these events are part of that larger story (monumental claim RE own son!)

He Remained faithful to the covenant He made with His people - throughout history time and time again, but now He’s about to completely fulfill the repeated promises of a Messiah

He Gave us the privilege to serve Him without fear - even while under foreign occupation, God preserved the ability for His people to worship Him, and will do so now like never before

Lk 1.76

Luke 1:76 CSB

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

(76) 2/3 RE John for:

Prophet of the Most High - that’s big all by itself

Go before the Lord - that’s a privilege; before the people encounter the Lord, you are going show up and get them ready, because it’s about to be like never before

“Basically, yeah, you’ll be big stuff, and I love you, son, but really my prophecy is about someone else …“

Lk 1:77-79

Luke 1:77–79 CSB

to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

(77-79) 3/3 RE Jesus for:

JC is the Revelation of God’s long-term plan of salvation through forgiveness of sins (not just covering them that Zechariah the priest has been used to)

JC is coming Because of God’s mercy (not b/c of our merit)

It’s been night for hundreds of years, and the Dawn is about to come - but the Dawn is a Person

We’ve been under the shadow of death, but JC will escort us right into God’s great peace

Sum: The HS fills Zech, and this is Z’s dialog:

“God the Holy Spirit is reminding everyone of God the Father’s faithfulness throughout history and foretelling how God the Son will bring a whole new era in human history in order to fulfill the Father’s promises.”

Lk 2.25-35

Luke 2:25–35 CSB

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The HS and Simeon

Simeon = righteous, devout, waiting, obedient b/c trust

HS & Simeon

HS Upon Him - no reason given, no particular ministry mentioned, just watchful worship - worshiping God with an eye on the near horizon

HS Revealed to Him - how his life will intersect with the Messiah (timing + privilege)

HS Led Him - “go to the temple right now” because God has a divine intersection to create

HS authored Dialog - Sim:

“You’ve brought salvation, but not just to the Jews - this is bigger than we imagined”

Lk 2.36-40

Luke 2:36–40 CSB

There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.

The HS and Anna

Widow for a long time, at the temple all the time, fasting and praying (and prophesying?)

Prophetess - no record of what she said, but we can guess is was about the consolation of Israel; HS upon her

Evangelism - no record of what she said, but a little about her audience (did any become disciples 30 years later?)

HS/Dialog - we don’t have a script for Anna, but we get the gist:

“The redemption of Israel is no longer a future event - He is now here.”

Pic / RV:

The Throw, before Tyreek cut to the outside; Isa 100s of yrs before JC, HS = author and sign

All the things that happened between throw and catch:

Tyreek Hill cuts right, then left

Jimmie Ward bites, and then loses several steps on Tyreek

Kelce runs a different route underneath, drawing the attention of two other defenders

The pocket starts to break down and pressure starts coming in on Mahomes

Mahomes has to throw the pass no matter what, even before Tyreek has completed his cut left

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VuJBzk3zrk&ab_channel=NFLHighlights ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EZrOOCnbAA&ab_channel=RichMadrid

What happened since the HS threw the pass in Isaiah:

return from exile,

rebuild temple,

Roman occupation,

relative silence from God for 400 years,

Zech, Eliz, Joseph, Mary, Simeon, Anna,

JC grew in wisdom and stature,

30 years,

baptism,

temptation

The catch:

Lk 4:14-21

Luke 4:14–21 CSB

Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire vicinity. He was teaching in their synagogues, being praised by everyone. He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. As usual, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, and unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

Catch!

HS:

HS = author and part the message

HS @ baptism

HS led JC into wilderness

JC comes down in the power of the HS

HS is the sign in Isaiah quoted in Luke that JC is the Messiah

HS fulfills the Scripture that He Himself inspired

HS catches His own pass

The HS’s dialog -

“Jesus is the Messiah, anointed with Me (the Holy Spirit) to preach the Good News, to heal the sick, and to set free those who are oppressed.”

++All the dialog was earthly dialog was about heavenly stuff -

words of people, very common people,

but about heavenly, eternal, mind-blowing stuff far beyond what anyone had clearly understood before

it’s going to be like never before, and in ways we never could have imagined

The HS was necessary for all this dialog

These earthly people are saying earthly dialog about heavenly things they could not possibly have come up with on their own

This was not improv theater where the actors come up with their own dialog on the spot

The Author wrote the script for them

The actors’ “motivation”

++The HS also made the dialog powerful

The dialog of the Christmas play moved a lot of people in the audience - radically changed their lives

But it wasn’t the actor’s delivery that had the power - it wasn’t because John the Baptizer was Sir Laurence Olivier (and for those of you under 40, Tom Hanks)

It was the inherent power of the Script itself, not the actors - the dialog, what the Author wrote

Without the HS, this dialog falls flat

(https://www.thoughtco.com/writing-a-play-1857140)

Xit: platform, stage, set, lighting

++Storyline: One night during the census while Quirinius was governor, a young couple gave birth to an unusual child in a makeshift birthing center to the amazement of some Jews and to the dismay of others who were all living under Roman occupation

++Characters: Zech, Eliz, John, Joseph, Mary, JC, D’s, crowds, us, God the Father, God the HS

++Dialog: we’ve been studying just some of the dialog

++Conflict: humans vs. Satan, humans vs. sin, humans vs. self

++Complications: pride, ego, lust, rejection, ridicule, farse trial, Pontius Pilate failing to rescue, death of the hero

++Plot - all have a plot, but there are different types of plots (e.g. LOTR)

Episodic - several episodes of a bigger story, 3 LOTR self-contained movies telling one big story

Rising action - Orcs, Sauron, the temptation of the Ring

Quest - to get the ring to Mt. Doom and drop it in to save Middle Earth from the darkness of evil from winning decisively

Transformation - timid Hobbit becomes the hero of Middle Earth

Revenge or justice - defeat the evil Sauron and the power of the Ring

Our plot: The Son of God, Himself God, took on a fully human nature according to centuries-old prophecies in order to rescue humankind from the eternal consequences of their sin.

Episodic: OT, NT (could even break it up into smaller episodes)

Rising action: Tension: Herod, Phars, sin, Satan, the Cross

Quest: JC sent to earth to seek and to save the lost

Transformation: Incarnation, second birth, NHNE

Revenge or justice: All sin accounted for, justice will be completed, righteousness will reign with JC on the throne

++Exposition:

what you need to understand the story,

connecting the dots

Methods: narrator, revealed in dialog like when the villain conveniently explains his whole plan just before inexplicably setting a delay timer on the death of the good guy

++Climax of the story: Cross, Rev, great battle, Satan defeated and tossed into the lake of fire, NHNE

Xit: The dialog we’ve been studying today gives us the exposition

Xmas story: Zech, Simeon, Anna, John, etc. - all anointed by the HS in order to speak powerfully on earth about heaven in order to connect the dots for us

God has always been faithful to His people - connect to dots - it’s Jesus who is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s faithfulness

John, you’re gonna be the greatest OT-style prophet to prepare the way for someone even greater than you - connect to dots - it’s Jesus who is greater than the greatest of all OT prophets

We’ve been in darkness, waiting for the Dawn - connect to dots - it’s Jesus who is the Dawn

The long-awaited Messiah - connect to dots - it’s Jesus

The weird prophecy way back in Isaiah about the Jews being a light to the Gentiles - connect to dots - it’s Jesus

Our redemption, a high price will be paid by another to set us free - connect to dots - it’s Jesus

Sum: dialog = exposition, and the HS was specifically involved in every bit of it to connect the dots - it’s Jesus

But it’s not just people in JC’s day who needed to have the dots connected - the HS connects the dots for us, too

You have the same HS (if you are in Christ)

Who is the same Author of the dialog of Zech, Simeon, Anna, John

Who anoints us to speak with the same power on earth about heaven

Who connects the dots for the people in our circles of influence

It doesn’t have to be a great mystery to be heavenly dialog - it’s more important that this story move you than surprise you

We can’t connects the dots for people (not really) - we can only speak our lines of the play that the Author gives us; only He can really connect the dots for them

What is your dialog in the play? What about heaven are you anointed to speak powerfully on earth to connect the dots?

You’re not the audience - your name is already in the program

Could be a monologue or dialog

Could be in the chorus singing with others or in the spotlight

Could be backstage or in full view of an audience (but it’s still dialog)

It’s not up to you to move the audience - you’re part of a larger production, and the power is from the Author and His script, not those on stage

RV: what’s your dialog?

It’s not your job to be powerful - it’s your job to be on cue

We have the best script of all history written by the best playwright ever, and the play is often more effective in small neighborhood theaters than on Broadway

Back to football: The HS has already thrown the pass and is ready to catch it - all we need to do is make the cut to the outside and open our mouths about Jesus (that’s all that the people in the Christmas play did)

If you have not yet put your faith in JC, you are still the audience.

Everyone’s a sinner - the people in the audience are sinners, the people on stage are sinners

But the people on stage (who’ve put their faith in Jesus b/c the HS connected the dot for them) have had their sins forgiven, and now they are members of the cast and crew

And there’s going to be the great cast party when Jesus, the star of the play, returns

Is the HS right now connecting the dots for you?

We invite you to become part of the cast and crew ***.

Dialog for the Christmas Play

Notes

Intro

Zechariah’s Dialog (Luke 1:67-79)

Simeon and Anna’s Dialog (Luke 2:25-38)

The Catch

Review of the Dialog

What does all of this dialog have in common?

How to Write a Play

Exposition: Anointed to speak powerfully on earth about heaven to connect the dots

GN