The Celestials’ First Theatrical Experience: Watching God’s Script Come Alive

I’m sorry for how cluttered the title must look but I just couldn’t decide on one, haha. But I really do have an old story to tell.

Once upon a time, an announcement was made to every corner of the Galaxy and every ear that heard it tingled and mouths fell open. The old rumour was confirmed!

Soon an innumerable or definable ensemble was at the Sovereign Theatre, built exactly for this purpose. Tonight was the opening night for the drama that had been the announcement earlier that day. The stage light was already set. It was focused on Earth.

God’s son was nowhere in sight. Even as their eyes confirmed his absence, some still did not believe. It was that incredible. Then, indeed he was the star of the film?

Beings sat, whispers started. Lips sharing gists they had heard or seen. “One of a kind indeed”, one said.

“He would be betrayed by his friend”, another exclaimed.

“And only to be shown once. “Never to be repeated…”, his companion affirmed his dazed eyes never moving once from the stage even though the curtains were still closed.

The musical score started at the same minute the curtains were rolled away, “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men…”. They smiled, recognizing some of their colleagues.

The play started slow and sad; A homely looking man trying to bargain with an innkeeper to let his very pregnant wife stay the night and birth their baby.

The next scene was not better. There was a united “Oh” as the pregnant woman’s water broke while her husband was still trying to bargain with the eleventh innkeeper

That did not move the man either to allow them in but he did offer them his stall before slamming the door from the night cold.

The viewers shook their heads in unison. They had lost hope in humanity long before so they were not too surprised. If only they knew how much the coming scenes would raise the bar on their resolve.

Thankfully, the couple found a little space in the shed and timely too as the baby came no sooner than that. The viewers looked in awe at the baby Jesus- God’s son in the abhorred, inferior human skin. What was their God thinking?

Only hisses, sighs and angry murmurs filled the cinema soon after. “Nonsense”, one hissed as he watched one of the temple leaders question the now-grown child for healing a woman bound for years. Really, there was nothing good about man.

Later, these same men questioned him for calling their own God his father. “Heresy”, they were exclaiming. Then, they tried to kill the man and the incredulity of the situation was a nice comedic relief. The man only walked through their midst making the theatre echo with laughter.

A glance also revealed the twitch around The Almighty’s mouth.

But the laughter did not last long. The movie was a whirlwind of emotions, one minute they were laughing, the next they were distressed. The viewing place was thick with different emotions but no eyes ever moved from the lead actor.

Unconsciously, the celestials stood on their feet one after another as the heat increased. A very strange occurrence indeed, for these beings cannot feel the heat like we have to endure under the rays of our sun.

The man, Jesus was on his knees praying, “Father, let this cup pass over me!”

Every heart stopped. Was this part of the script? Had he strayed? Had he forgotten? Does he need a prompter? Should the curtains be quickly drawn?

“.. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done…”, he cried.

Every held breath returned in a whoosh. He was still in character, thank Jehovah.

Not too long, they watched him heal his captor’s ear which his disciple had sliced clean. The climax was at hand. They could feel it.

“Do you think I can’t ask my father for millions of angels to defend myself and get it?”

A trillion+ heads in the theatre nodded at the same time, in silent acknowledgement and honour for the words of the one dressed in a man’s skin.

Some heads stealthily glanced at their leader on his throne, to gauge his reaction to that statement but he remained silent. Except for the twinkle in his eyes. Pride. Many concluded.

It was to be expected anyways. Of course, he would not be surprised but proud- He had written the script since forever but only now revealing it. And a perfect script it was if they were to be judges themselves. HE had done the casting, the directing and all. So of course he should be proud.

“Pain”, yet, another set concluded in their hearts before dragging their gaze away, “His eyes are full of pain”. His only son was the main character after all. No protagonist ever had it easy.

Vehement shouts of “crucify him” ended the reprieve of many. The man was being tortured! How horrific, inappropriate and shocking.

“Save thyself, and come down from the cross”, a man mocked Jesus.

Two celestials that had somehow sat down jumped up in indignation. To them, there should be a limit to even realistic acting. They had already hung the man. Wasn’t that enough for them? Would God’s son really die?! He tried to imagine the world without the Word and shivered in denial.

Sharp silence resonated through the theatre as the voice of another shouted.

“Save yourself, and come down from the cross”.

Another group scorned the man hanging naked from the cross: “If you come down, we’ll surely believe you”.

Still, the Godhead was silent.

“Save yourself, you liar”. They laughed this time.

“No. Not me. It’s you I want to save.” They heard the reply of God’s son. And he hung on tighter to the cross for their dear lives. No one below him had heard him. His answer had been inaudible.

Levels of pain washed over the man hanging from the cross. Physical, emotional. Yet he hung on. None in the theatre could tear their faces away either. They were called witnesses for a reason. The job description never said it would be easy.

But the sun did protest when he could watch no longer so he shut his eyes and the people below screamed.

“Would this go on forever?”, The standing beings shivered at the horror movie before their eyes that was titled Redemption. Yet, they did not understand. Why all this? For what, who. Man?

The man called Jesus shivered and quivered on his cross, then groaning shouted. “Finished!” He breathed his last.

Mother earth finally could bear the grief no more and joined the sun to mourn, unashamedly wailing loudly. Her wails were the last thing they heard.

Just like that. The whole theatre went dark. There was no bow to the audience. No nothing.

The sadness in the theatre was very thick but they held it all together. This was it? The death of God’s son?

Suddenly, the same way the lights went off, it came back on and they saw the man Jesus was very alive.

“All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me…”

Catcalls and whistles filled everywhere. Chairs were raised and utter chaos erupted. Backflips, handstands, jumping, head butting, you name it. Different dance steps, different songs. All praising God, the drama forgotten. What an honour they felt to be witnesses to the greatest story ever told and firsthand too.

The Father’s smile had never been that huge. The light of his countenance was blinding. He allowed his people to rejoice then he quieted them with a word, “watch”.

They settled down again surprised. They were not yet done? They watched the man bless his disciples and begin to ascend to where they were. The frame read: Part 2.

Seriously, the play was not still done?

They saw the disciples gathered in an upper chamber praying, they watched the Holy Ghost come on them. They witnessed Saul’s conversion and followed him through his missionary journey, and even John’s narrow escape from death and later exile to the Isle of Patmos.

They watched every Saint that ever walked the earth and even as we speak, they’re still watching you and me.

THE END

This story is the reason we have something to celebrate on the 25th of December. Just one sentence really- Thank God for Jesus.

A Merry Christmas to you all!

I love hearing from you so please don’t forget to drop a comment💓 .