Coal in My Stocking

An alternate presentation for the Mother of All Diamonds effect from Barry Mitchell Products
By Barry Mitchell

Main Point: God never gives us coal unless he has a diamond in His plan for us. Makes a great gospel presentation for a Christmas show.

Props: The Mother of All Diamonds prop with lumps of coal and diamonds.

Presentation
I have some lumps of coal, a cup, and a chimney.  Actually this red tube is more like a flue pipe.  That’s before your time I’m sure.  Something else before your time is the expression, “All I got for Christmas was a lump of coal.”  (Remove coal from cup to show.)  It was believed that Santa would come down the chimney with his bag of gifts and, if you had been nice, you would be rewarded with gifts.  If you had been naughty you would only get lumps of coal in your stocking.  (Show tube empty to represent the chimney and place it over the cup.)  Unless you own a power plant or a wood stove, then coal is not a good Christmas gift.

Some people believe God is like Santa Claus.  If you’re good, you get gifts.  If you’re bad, you’re heading for the fireplace.  But God is much more than a judge of whether we are naughty or nice.  God loves us no matter how we act.  And God’s greatest blessing to us is given BECAUSE of the way we act.  God loves us so much that He is willing to forgive us if we only ask.  Not even Santa Claus can do that.

The definition of God’s love is that He wants to do anything and everything for our best.  He doesn’t want to give us coal.  (Drop coal in cup which is covered by tube.)  Unlike Santa who might deliver coal down the chimney, God wants the best for us.  (Lift tube from around the cup and sit aside.)  God wants to deliver us the best.  (Pour diamonds into smaller cup.)

The Bible tells us over and over how much God wants the best for us. God never gives us coal, unless He has a diamond in His plan for us.

Scripture suggestions

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The Magic of Giving

An alternate presentation for the You Bug Me effect from Barry Mitchell Products
By Barry Mitchell

Main Point: A message about giving
Scripture: Several suggestions below

Props: Ropes from the “You Bug Me” effect from Barry Mitchell Products, change bag, several 12 inch silks.  In place of the silks, knots may be tied in the rope.  Ordinary rope and silks may also be used in place of the “You Bug Me” ropes.  But why would you want to do that? The “You Bug Me” ropes are actually knitted so they won’t unravel and they stretch longer than twelve feet to fill the stage more. There are two three-foot ropes, one yellow and one red and one twelve-foot rope that is half yellow and half red.

Preset: Place long rope with silks tied to it in one side of the change bag.  Place four silks and the two small ropes in the other side of the bag.  Using a variety of colors of silks will make the effect even more colorful.

Presentation
(This presentation is perfect for the Christmas season to discuss the magic of giving.)

I have two pieces of rope, one red and one yellow.  Yellow is for the girls because they are beautiful like the sunshine.  Red is for the boys because they are always red-e to get into trouble.  No, that’s not it.  Red because they love to have fun just like a big red balloon is fun.

This is a story of giving.  (Hold up small ropes.)  Don’t worry it’s a short story.  Of course giving applies to both boys and girls. (Tie short ropes together. Emphasize the word “not” as you tie the “knots” in the rope.  In place of tying knots in the rope, which may not be seen by a large audience you may tie twelve inch silks onto the rope.)

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) everyone knows that giving is easy.

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) all gifts are the same.  Some are touchable and usable.  Some are from the heart like love and friendship.

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) only is a gift great to receive but it’s even greater to give.

NOT (Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope) sure about giving yet?  Let me help.

When we take the first step to becoming friends with someone else, we are giving our kindness.  When we donate items to charity, we are giving from our abundance.  When we give our time to help someone else we are giving our most valuable possession.  When we give money we are trading our treasure for a blessing.

When it comes to giving there are two laws.  1. It’s impossible to give without getting a blessing in return.  2. No matter how much we give, we can’t out give God.

(Tie knot in rope or tie silk around rope)  My suggestion to you is do NOT miss out on the blessing of giving.  (Place short ropes in change bag as you ask for helpers.)

I need a couple of helpers to hold the ends of my giving ropes.  If each of you will hold an end, I’ll show you the real magic of giving.  Very slowly pull out a little rope.  (Switch change bag and assist each helper to pull the rope evenly from the change bag.)  When each of us does a little, it will NOT go unnoticed.  Keep pulling the ropes.  (Allow ropes to be pulled out of change bag revealing a long rope of silks or knots.)

Christmas ending  When it comes to giving sometimes it’s nice to be naughty (knot-e).

Scripture references

Galatians 6:7 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Proverbs 11:24-26 (NIV) One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.
Proverbs 22:8-9 (NIV) He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.  A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.