Train Up a Child: Christmasਨਮੂਨਾ

You can read the devotion out loud as a family, giving two people a part to read. Or have one person read it out loud. Have fun with the voices and characters, and if you're up for it, you can even act out the script!

My Parents Went to Bethlehem and I Didn’t Even Get a T-shirt

Timmy storms into the room dressed as a first century shepherd. He angrily takes off his head covering.

Janet: Timothy Simon Markwell, where are you going?

His mom, Janet, is dressed in a simple first century costume, with a bulging pregnant belly (clearly achieved with a large pillow).

Timmy: I’m getting out of here!

Janet: Why? We were having such a great time in Bethlehem.

Timmy: Exactly: Were. I’m not having fun any more. I’m ready to head back to the hill country.

Janet: To do what?

Timmy: Watch my sheep.

Timmy removes his sandals.

Janet: Are you still in character? I mean, you didn’t have any lines in the production, but you were believable as a shepherd.

Timmy: No. I just want to go home. Can you please drive me now?

Janet: The cast party just started.

Timmy: So?

Janet: Pastor Bob hasn’t even started his Christmas Carol Karaoke yet! He promised to do O Holy Night. And ain’t nothing gonna keep me from watching him try to hit those high notes.

Timmy: Mom, I don’t think I can handle that, not tonight.

Janet: But we’re all celebrating such an amazing turn out. We had over a hundred new people come to the service, honey. We’ve been praying and practicing for this night for over a month and now you’re all sour?

Timmy: Well why wouldn’t I be?

Janet: Are you still mad that, as Mary, I got to ride the live donkey?

Timmy: For the tenth time: no!

Janet: Then what is it? You’ve been living and breathing this show for the last month. Now it’s time to celebrate how well it went.

Timmy: But you gave away my T-shirt!

Janet: What are you talking about?

Timmy: The shirt that everyone in the production got as a Christmas gift! I was trying to be nice and let every one else go in front of me in line, and when I went to pick up my gift, some kid butted in line in front of me, and you gave him the last T-shirt.

Janet: I gave away your… [realization] Oh. That was yours?

Timmy: Yes! That kid isn’t even part of the production but he’s in there wearing a shirt that says “A Star Over Bethlehem” on the front and “Cast Member” on the back.

Timmy angrily pulls off his shepherds robe. He’s now standing in his own jeans and T-shirt.

Janet: Buddy, I’m sorry.

Timmy: I don’t get it. I was standing right there!

Janet: I didn’t know that you didn’t have one yet.

Timmy: He didn’t come to a single practice!

Janet: I know.

Timmy: And he wasn’t even part of our team!

Janet: I know.

Timmy: And I was going to sit with you on the donkey for the cast photo and now it’s like, maybe this kid should just take my place and you don’t even want me there at all.

Janet: Is that what you think? Your parents went to Bethlehem and all you got was a lousy T- shirt.

Timmy: No. My parents went to Bethlehem, on a donkey, and then they gave away my lousy T- shirt.

Janet takes Timmy by the shoulders and pulls him into a hug. The pillow makes it the opposite of comforting. Timmy steps away, deflated. Janet pulls out the pillow from under her robe and drops it onto the ground.

Janet: Sweetheart, that boy came by himself to church. He ran up to me after and said that he loved the play and that he wanted to be part of the production next year. He’s never even been in a church before.

Timmy: Really?

Janet: Yes, really. I invited him to the party so that he could meet you and other cast members and feel like part of our group. He’s so hungry for love. I wasn’t thinking.

Timmy: Well, I guess you did just have a baby.

Janet: In front of an audience. Was it convincing?

Timmy: Very. I was so focused on what I wanted, I didn’t even think about that kid.

Janet: Tis the season… Sadly that’s what a lot of people are like at Christmas.

Timmy: Great, now I feel bad.

Janet: Christmas is especially the time to live out what we believe everyday of the year: that it’s better to give than to receive. And you know what Timmy?

Timmy: What?

Janet: You were being thoughtful. You let everyone else go in front of you in line. Which meant that kid got a gift he didn’t deserve. So you were part of showing grace and love to a stranger. Sounds like Christmas to me.

Timmy: But then I stormed off.

Janet: You had reason to expect that T-shirt. It’s not wrong to want it. But because of your kindness, and because you were part of sharing the good news about Jesus tonight, you’re going to have a new friend. And that boy’s life could change forever.

Timmy: That’s pretty cool.

Janet: So, let’s go back in there.

Timmy: Can I sit on the donkey with you in the cast photo?

Janet: Not a chance. But you can stand with me and your dad as we listen to pastor Karaoke.

Timmy: And will you introduce me to that kid?

Janet: For sure. I’ll say, “This is my son in real life who has a heart of gold.”

Timmy: Cool. Let’s go.