Advent Angel and the Gnomes Puppet Play

 

The Advent Angel and the Gnomes

 

A Puppet Play for the First Advent Sunday

 

 

Table is set with a scene conveying a rocky height. Many crystals and rocks around. Some greens and mosses. On a table close by is the crèche, in a setting rather bare with just a few green boughs, some sand and some moss.

 

Narrator

 

Dear children and families, friends and relations, welcome to the first Advent Sunday Garden. Here is a little play about a time long, long ago, about two thousand years ago. Our beautiful earth was suffering from the cruelty of Mankind. And Humankind was suffering because we had forgotten our Heavenly birthright and who we really are in God. So the Son of God was sent down to the Earth to remind human beings of who we really are and to help us turn away from ways that bring us pain and make us forget how to love each other. He came to bring Love back to human hearts, the Divine Love of God that heals us, makes us happy and teaches us how to love each other as the Angels and Archangels love us, no matter what we do.

 

This beautiful Child, the Christ Child, who was born so long ago in a humble stable in Bethlehem came to teach us how to love the Divine Father and the Heavenly world again and how to love each other as we love ourselves. For if we love God and each other, we could never want to do or say anything that would be hurtful to anyone else or to ourselves.

 

Each year, the time of the Christ Child’s birth comes again. And in truth, He is born again every year in our hearts. Every year we must make ourselves ready to receive Him again and to prepare our homes and our souls to house and nurture Him. As we love our families and friends and prepare gifts, good food and fun things to do to make each other happy, we can feel that we are doing these things for the Divine Child who lives among us. So let us begin together to prepare for His coming, for the Advent of His Birth into our lives once again.

 

It is said that before the time of the Christ Child’s birth, the Mineral Kingdom was the first to wake up, to be aware of His imminent approach. Today it is four weeks before Christmas and the Earth and her stones, rocks and crystals already feel the approach of the Divine Child. The gnomes of the rocks, those creators and protectors of the treasures of the earth – gold, silver, colorful jewels – once suffered with Mankind as we lost our power to love each other. Perhaps this is how they learned that Love was coming back to the Earth, to make the stones and stars sing to each other once again.

 

Three Gnomes (Blue, Red and Green) 

move agitatedly in the viewing right around some large crystals

D’   D’   D’      G     D’  B    B      D’   D’   G

We are the gnomes of the rocks and the stones

 

  B       A   A  A     D’  D’  B  B  D’  G

The Earth is our wonderful home.

 

D’   D’   D’    G     D’    B    B    D’    G

Sunlight so bright, we hold and we mold

 

  B       A  A  A     D’      D’    B  B  D’  G

Down under the ground we turn it to gold.

 

  D’     D’   D’    D’      D’    G   B    A  D’    G

When the full moon spills out her lovely light

 

  B    A  A A  D’D’ D’   B    B   D’   G

We turn it to silver so pure and so bright

 

 D’    D’    D’ D’     G    G G   A   AD’   G

The stars twinkle deep in the sky overhead

 

  B       A     A      A   D’ D’   D’      B B    D’   G

Their light makes the jewels, blue yellow and red.

 

(spoken)

 

The stars sing a song to the crystals below

And the jewels fill with heavenly glow

 

The crystals and gems return the stars’ song

And echo the heavenly throng

 

But something is wrong with the stars and the stones

A silence has fallen around

 

We listen with ears as big as the world

But don’t hear the beautiful sound!

   

Blue Gnome

 

“I can’t hear them!!”

 

Red Gnome

 

“They are not singing!!”

 

Green Gnome

 

“The stars are silent!!”

 

They begin to wail and dance around

 

Advent Angel appears (from viewing left) – 

dark blue or purple robe with angel tunic and wings

 

Singing – Over Stars is Mary Wandering

 

Over stars is Mary wandering;
In her mantle's flowing folds,
Radiant threads of starlight woven
For her little child she holds.
Throngs of stars behold her passing,
All the sky is filled with light
With her hands she weaves and gathers
Blessings for the Christmas night.

She stops and comes slowly closer to the gnomes, who stand more still.

 

Advent Angel

 

“What ever is the matter dear gnomes of the rocks?

What brings you up here to these high lonely places?

The weight of the world is there on your shoulders

Such desperate distress can be seen on your faces.”

 

Blue Gnome

 

Oh Heavenly One, we behold your sweet passing

And thanks for your stopping in this wild spot.

Our hearts are so heavy they almost are bursting

For Earth is becoming what she must not.

 

Red Gnome

 

The stars are not singing in darkest night sky

We no longer hear them commune with the stones

The rocks and the crystals don’t lift up their voices

The Earth now is silent and ever alone.

Green Gnome

 

For eons we danced and we sang with the crystals

For ages uncounted we worked with the light

Turning sunlight to gold and the moonlight to silver

And bright jewels from starlight that streamed in the night

 

 Blue Gnome

 

But now stars are silent and starlight is weakened

The sun and the moon cannot waken the Earth

For Earth now is dying and grows dim and silent

And we do not know how to bring a rebirth

 

Red Gnome

 

Oh Heavenly Angel, we ask you to help us

From where can the healing of Earth start again?

The poison we feel comes from one source we know of

It pours to the rocks from the evil of men

 

Green Gnome

 

Mankind has fallen away from the starlight

The people no longer tend Earth with love

They care not for all that she gives to their being

They cannot hear music that comes from above.

 

Blue Gnome

 

Dear Angel from Heaven, please pity us beings

Of rock, stone and crystal, of silver and gold

Who can redeem what the humans have wrought here

When selfishness entered their hearts long ago.

 

Advent Angel

 

I hear you dear Beings of Earth and of Stone

I have news to tell you to gladden your souls

Someone is coming to heal and redeem you

The Savior is coming to make the Earth whole.

 

Yes, you are right, the Earth has been dying

Since humankind first turned to evil and crime

But no matter how far they turn from the Heavens

All will be rescued by love and in time.

 

There soon will be born for the world a good Savior

The Christ Child is coming, so come and take heart

His time soon approaches, so come and make ready

To welcome Him, come let us make a new start.

 

Blue Gnome

 

A palace of crystal I’ll build on the mountain

From there he will reign over all that he sees.

 

Red Gnome

 

Down to the caverns of gold and of silver

We’ll bring sacks of wealth for the heavenly king!

 

Green Gnome

 

A fortress of iron I’ll build to protect him

From any who may seek to bring him to harm.

 

Advent Angel

 

Dear Gnomes, thank you kindly for your good intentions

But this King will need neither palace nor gold

His strength will be loving and pure gentle kindness

He’ll need no strong army to conquer the world.

Blue Gnome

 

Oh Angel from Heaven you make our hearts joyful

Tell us how best to prepare for this day!

 

Red Gnome

 

So what can we bring Him to show Him our reverence?

What gifts from the Earth will be helpful to give?

 

Green Gnome

 

We want to bring something to give to the Christ Child

To show that we’re ready to serve him on Earth.

 

Advent Angel

 

The Earth will already be giving her Being

To uphold his feet as he walks on his way.

The Sun and the Moon will be his true companions

To warm Him and help him and show him the way.

 

The beauty of crystals of jewels and of gemstones

Will lighten his heart and remind him of God.

Their presence on earth is to fill it will starlight

As Humankind’s purpose is to fill it with love.

 

So bring just the simple, the bright and the beautiful

Place them around where He comes to be born

Let them reflect all the light from the heavens

The moon in the night and the sun in the morn.

 

And now listen carefully! Music is starting!

I hear the stars singing, it’s growing and strong

The rocks are responding, the crystals are humming

The Earth will be singing a heavenly song!

 

Blue Gnome

 

Yes! we can hear them – the stars are now singing

We feel the vibrations of crystals and jewels

They’re being awakened to the Christ Child’s coming

They’re being enlivened by the Angel’s good news!

 

Red Gnome

 

We’re taking our crystals to a humble stable

We’ll wait there and see the miraculous thing

That soon will be coming to make Earth a Heaven

And teach stars and crystals and people to sing!

 

Narrator

 

And so with the Advent Angel to lead them, the Earth gnomes brought treasures from the Mineral Kingdom to the place where the Christ Child would soon be born. They were the first ones there and they waited patiently yet with great excitement. The stars kept them company with heavenly music. Mother Mary and Father Joseph began their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem on foot and by donkey. The Heavenly Mother journeyed as well from Star Child to Star Child, collecting blessings and good deeds, thoughts and wishes carried up to heaven from the good children on the Earth. Once again she journeys in preparation. Let us all send our good thoughts, deeds and wishes up to the Star Children to give to Mother Mary to weave her golden garment of light for the Christ Child on His birthday. And let us join the Gnomes and Earth Beings and bring our humble stones, crystals and shells to adorn the Advent Garden to make it beautiful and ready to receive the Christ Child once again.

 

Candlelighting

 

In the first candle of Advent shines
The light of crystals in the mine,
The rocks, the jewels and the stones,
The seashells and our bones.
Now the stones are on the earth,

Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth.

Advent Angel

 

 (speaking to the Advent Garden and crystals placed there)

 

“I am the First Advent Angel! From the great reaches of the circling planets to the very depths of our precious Earth, I call upon the very rocks, minerals and crystals to Wake Up! The Turning Point of Time is upon us all. Though Earth becomes darker and darker without, soon, it will grow lighter and lighter within. Tune your vibration to the Light of the World. Wake up and Rejoice O Rocks!”

 

Copyright 2013

Christine Natale

Advent Songs

 

Over Stars is Mary Wandering

(make Star Children crowns & Mother Mary dress and cloak)

Over stars is Mary wandering;
In her mantle's flowing folds,
Radiant threads of starlight woven
For her little child she holds.
Throngs of stars behold her passing,
All the sky is filled with light
With her hands she weaves and gathers
Blessings for the Christmas night.

 

Softly, Softly Through the Darkness

Softly, softly through the darkness snow is falling.
Swiftly, swiftly all about the wind is blowing.
Open up the door I pray, ‘tis so dark and cold the way.
Clearly, clearly up above the bells are calling;
Brightly, brightly deep within a star is glowing.

 

Advent Verses

In the first candle of Advent shines
The light of crystals in the mine,
The rocks, the jewels and the stones,
The seashells and our bones.
Now the stones are on the earth,
Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth.

In the second candle of Advent shine
The plants and the berries on the vine,
The green grass and the lovely tree,
And all the flowers that we see.
Now the plants are on the earth,
Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth.

In the third candle of Advent shine
The wondrous beasts of every kind,
Beasts who tread upon the earth
And give their stable for the birth.
Now the beasts are on the earth,
Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth.

In the fourth candle of Advent shine
Our open hearts, both yours and mine.
We can now fill our hearts with love
And shining light from heaven above.
Now we are on the earth,
Waiting for the Christ Child’s birth.

Advent, Advent, a candle burns

Advent, Advent, a candle burns

First one then two then three then four

Than stand the Light Child at my door

The first light of Advent is the light of stones

Stones that live in crystals

In seashells and in bones

The second light of Advent is the light of plants

Plants that reach up to the sun

And in the breezes dance

The third light of Advent is the light of beasts

The light of hope that we may see

In greatest and in least

The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind

The light of love, the light of thought

To give and to understand



A gift of light
I thankfully hold
And pass to my neighbor
Its shining gold
That everyone may
Feel its glow,
Receiving and giving
May love and grow.
When all our brothers
Have lit their light
No more shall continue
The darkness of night:
But joyful all men
The message shall hear:
"The Christ draws near!"

 

Winds through the olive trees,
Softly did blow
Round litle Bethlehem,
Long, long ago.
Sheep on the hillside lay
whiter than snow,
Shepherds were watching them
Long, long ago.
Then from the happy skies
Angels bent low,
Singing thier songs of joy
Long, long ago.
For in a manger bed
Cradled we know,
Christ came to Bethlehem
Long, long ago.

Over stars is Mary wandering;
In her mantle's flowing folds,
Radiant threads of starlight woven
For her little child she holds.
Throngs of stars behold her passing,
All the sky is filled with light
With her hands she weaves and gathers
Blessings for the Christmas night.

The Christmas tree, against the night
Beyond the window bars,
Stood bright with flames of candlelight
Before a sky of stars.
I stood and stared, till suddenly
It seemed to me that I
Saw stars alight upon the tree
And candles in the sky!
                          -Isabel Wyatt

 

    
Why do the bells of Christmas ring?
Why do the little children sing?
Once a lovely shining star
Seen by shepherds from afar
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger's cradle bright.
There a little baby lay
Pillowed soft upon the hay
And its mother sang and smiled
This is Christ, the holy child.
Therefore bells of Christmas ring
Therefore little children sing.
                   -E. Field

Above the manger stood a star
A star all wondrous white
And all about His lowly bed
There welled a flood of light.
It bathed the stable in its glow
It shone round Mary's head
And on the kneeling shepherds' cloaks
Its radiant beams were shed.
Star of the world, through time and space
It flames in glory bright
to make man's pilgrimage through the years
A pathway of light.

 

Advent Spiral

 

Then, quiet prevails. The Christ Candle has not yet been lit. From one corner of the room, a firm but gentle drumming begins, preferably on a bodran or folk drum. An Angel steps out from behind a screen in the corner. (Soft Spotlight)This angel is dressed in dark blue and purple. She holds a glittering crystal (largish geode type).

 

“I am the First Advent Angel! From the great reaches of the circling planets to the very depths of our precious Earth, I call upon the very rocks, minerals and crystals to Wake Up! The Turning Point of Time is upon us all. Though Earth becomes darker and darker without, soon, it will grow lighter and lighter within. Tune your vibration to the Light of the World. Wake up and Rejoice O Rocks!”

 

She walks backward and disappears behind the screen.

 

From the next corner (clockwise) comes the playing of a harp, dulcimer or guitar. The next angel steps out from behind a screen, dressed in Greens. She carries a plant with flowers – a miniature rose or Christmas rose of some kind.

 

“I am the Second Advent Angel! Spread over all the Earth is a living mantle of Plants. From the tiniest lichen to the tallest Redwoods, I call upon you plants to Wake Up! The Turning Point of Time is upon us! Fill your living essence of fragrance and nourishment with the Holy Light of the Stars. Wake up and Rejoice, O Plants!”

 

She walks backward and disappears behind the screen.

 

From the next corner (clockwise) comes the playing of a flute, recorder or panpipe. The next angel steps out from behind a screen, dressed in Rose/ Red. She carries a living animal if possible, such as a bird or a sheep on a lease.

 

“I am the Third Advent Angel! From the Four Corners of the World, from the smallest to the largest, all who swim or fly, crawl or gallop, I call upon you Animals to Wake Up! The Turning Point of time is upon us. Hear the call of the Beloved Shepherd. Wake Up and Rejoice, O Animals!”

 

She walks backward and disappears behind the screen.

 

From the next corner (clockwise) comes the singing of a 4 voice madrigal (acapella). The next angel steps out from behind a screen, dressed in Yellow/ Gold. She escorts the four singers on either side (a young man, an old man, a young woman, an old woman – dressed in folkish costumes).

 

“I am the Fourth Advent Angel! O Humans! You who live in North and South, East and West, From mountain to seaside, from desert to jungle, I call upon Humankind to Wake Up! The Turning Point of Time is upon us. The Lord of the Dance will soon be among you. Tune your hearts to the music of the spheres. Wake up and Rejoice, O People!”