It is better to light one candle

Ephesians 5 Verses 7-9

John 1 Verse 5

James 4 Verses 7-8

How easily we can be prevented from making the most important decision of our lives, to be lit up for God in this dark world.

In costume of horns and red cloak, the devil stands centre stage as guardian of the candle.  Each character who enters may do so from any direction, and the devil with his cunning words tries to get rid of them all.  The candle should be a large Easter candle which can easily be seen.  Matches in a box should be available at it’s base, or on the table which supports the candle.  In the foreground are four cardholders.  Each in turn holds up their card and shouts out what is written on it.  Words suggested are Anger, Hate, Poverty, Greed, Spite, Misery, Oppression, or indeed words of your own choice.

In horns and a red cloak, the devil stands centre stage as guardian of the candle. The candle itself should be large and be easily seen. A box of matches should be available nearby. Five characters, one after the other, move onto the stage in order to light the candle. They can enter from any direction... but will each one manage to get past the guardian?

First person enters and makes his/her way towards the candle.

Devil: What are you doing here?

First person: It’s too dark in here, so I thought I’d light that candle.

Devil: Come off it! You’ve never been any good at anything, you’d probably knock the candle over – sit down!

First person leaves. The devil laughs and looks pleased and shouts: ‘EA-SY (clap, clap, clap). EA-SY (clap, clap, clap).’

Second person enters, and moves towards candle.

Devil:    What are you doing here?

Second person: It’s a bit dark in here, so I’m going to light that candle.

Devil: You don’t have to do it now. Nobody makes important decisions just like that. (snaps his fingers)You’ve got the rest of your life to make up your mind. Go away and think about it, take your time.

Second person leaves. Devil laughs and looks pleased and shouts: ‘EA-SY (clap, clap, clap) EA-SY (clap, clap, clap).’

Third person enters, and moves towards candle.

Devil: What are you doing here?

Third person: Well, it’s a bit dark in here, so I was just going to light that candle.

Devil: You! You haven’t got the time. What with your exams coming up, your homework to do, your computer games, and the sports clubs you go to. In fact you’d better hurry, I thought you were meeting all your friends at 8 o’ clock!

(*If this character is an adult, then substitute these activities for adult commitments i.e. housework, family, P.C.C meetings, the gym etc.,)

Third person leaves. Devil rubs hands together, looks pleased and shouts: ‘EA-SY’, etc.

Fourth person enters, moves towards candle, picks up the box of matches.

Devil: What do you think you’re doing?

Fourth person: It’s dark in here, so I thought I’d better light the candle.

Devil: Go ahead! (pauses while fourth person strikes a match). But they’ll laugh at you, call you awful names: ‘Fanatic’, ‘Religious Freak’; a member of the ‘God Squad’. They’ll say you’re ‘Over the top!’  Don’t be the first one to make a move, let someone else do it.

Fourth person blows out the match and exits.

Devil looks extremely pleased, laughs loudly and shouts: ‘EA-SY etc.,’

Fifth person enters, moves towards the candle.

Devil: And what are you doing here?

Fifth person: It’s very dark in here, so I’ve come to light the candle.

Devil: You’re too young.

Fifth person: What’s that got to do with it?

Devil: You’re not intelligent enough.

Fifth person: What’s that got to do with it?

Devil: Well, you’re not brave enough.

Fifth person: What’s that got to do with it?

Devil: (looking really worried, yells:) You’re not good enough!

Fifth person: That’s got nothing to do with it.

Devil: Then why are you so keen to light the candle?

Fifth person: (lights candle) Because it’s better to light one candle than forever curse the darkness.

Devil shrinks back, covering himself with his cloak, and slinks away …