It's a Cracker !

Ingredients

• 1 grubbily-dressed male
• 1 well-presented older female adult
• 1 boy and 1 girl teenager (both very smart and fashionably dressed).
• a decorated Christmas tree.
• a table with table-cloth, spread with food and plates, party poppers, etc.
• 2 Christmas crackers. 1 man-sized Christmas cracker with gold pattern.
• 1 pre-recorded explosive sound.
• 1 steam/smokescreen kit.
• 1 bright light.
• 1 portable TV (optional).

Drama

A family get-together at Christmas: three folks gathered around the table for a buffet-style Christmas lunch. Two of them pull their crackers and put on their Christmas party hats from a cracker. However, it appears that there are not enough crackers to go round.

Joe: How come I haven't got a cracker?

Mum: Sorry, lovey. It looks like there aren't enough crackers left over after last night's party.

Joe: I must have my party hat before we start celebrating.

Linda: Perhaps there's a Christmas hat lying around from yesterday that's not all screwed up.

Joe: But then I'll miss out on the toy! And not forgetting the side-splitting roll-over-on-the-floor funny jokes that you get inside.

Mum: Take a look beside the Christmas tree, Joe. I'm sure I saw a spare one under there.

Linda: Yes, I thought it was a present at first - it was so big! Come on, let's take a look.

Joe and Linda both scurry through towards the tree. Before finding it, Joe expresses his joy.

Joe: Aw thanks, Mum! I know this must be very special. Is it really full of presents just for me?

Mum: I don't know who sent it. I cannot remember anyone putting it there. It certainly wasn't there after the tree went up.

Joe discovers a massive cracker and rolls it into view.

Joe: Wow! What a cracker!

Linda: Gaw-lee!! It looks big enough to hold a playstation and a widescreen TV.

Joe: Come on then. Help me! You get that side and pull one end.

Linda rushes around to one side excitedly.

Joe: Okay? 1…2…3… pu--u--u--ull !!

A cracking explosion like a bomb is heard as the wrappings fall apart with terrific force. Amidst the smoke and bright sparks, a real person dressed rather shabbily rises from the debris. Joe and Linda shrink back in shock and amazement. A shadow behind a thick white bright cloud holds out his arms. Linda remains stunned and very silent. Joe is very confused but eventually challenges the man.

Joe: Who on earth are you?

Jesus: (slowly) I am the one who….

Joe: (interrupting and fast) What do you think you are doing here bursting into our house on Christmas day? (pause) Is this some sick kind of joke? (pause) Don't you know how offensive this is - at such a special time as this?

Jesus: Tell me. What kind of presents were you expecting this Christmas?

Joe: (not so fast) For a start, what about a playstation 2 or a new computer with 64MB graphics card? Instead, you turn up. Look at you!

Jesus: Do you really understand what Christmas is about?

Joe: (more thoughtful) Okay, so it's about being nice to everyone. Loving everyone again (even your sister) and giving each other presents.

Jesus: Exactly! And that's why I'm here.

Joe: I suppose this is some cheap fancy trick so that you can get a free Christmas meal for us. I've news for you: there ain't enough to share around 'cos we weren't expecting you.

Jesus: That's not what I meant. You see God loved the world so much…

Joe: (interrupting and annoyed) Don't go all holy Joe on me. You're talking to the wrong guy! You won't get anything from us. So, I suggest you leave quietly and we wont call the police.

Jesus: But I haven't come to steal anything or destroy your party. I have come to give you a life more than you can imagine. God loved the world so much that He gave…

Joe: (interrupting once more) Not that again, I've heard it all before. Yes, yes, yes! Jesus was born from the virgin Mary and there was not room in the inn, and all that stuff. Anyway, what could you possibly give us?

Jesus: God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. Believe me - and you will live forever.

Joe: (stunned for a moment) You don't seriously think you can pull this one on me. If you are trying to play the part of Jesus, you've got the wrong garb on. Shouldn't you be this size and dressed in "sweating clothes" or (sarcastically) "lying to the major"?

Jesus: I did come as a child 2000 years ago. But now it's different…

Joe points to a small wooden stable setting on top of the TV.

Joe: I can cope with you being about that size. But what's so different this time?

Jesus: Now I have risen from death and I want you to know the presence of my Spririt within you wherever you go.

Joe: But why here? Why me?

Jesus: It's like you said: this is a special time. And you are very special !

Joe is aware for the first time that Christmas is about knowing Jesus' presence.