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Santa confronts Global Warming During our May 21 service, the Youth Group performed an original play. It was a fiitng lead-in to Rev. Sally Bingham's sermon "Global Warming as a Religious Issue." We've all read about the effects of global warming on the arctic region . . . how the melting ice is stranding polar bears . . . how some of them are drowning as they try to swim greater and greater distances of open water. But wait. Polar bears aren't the only inhabitants of the North Pole. Have you stopped to think what global warming might be doing to another particularly important arctic resident? Read on.
Cast of Characters Narrator Narrator Twas the month before Christmas and all through Santa's Polar House The stock rooms were filled to the rafters with care Santa sitting with Mrs Claus, both looking through piles of letters. Santa -- The children! The children! How they have such visions! What happened to the days of just sugar plums dancing in their little head? Just look at these letters! Mrs Claus -- and here, Sally wants her own driver to take her to ballet and soccer and art class and basket-weaving and play practice Santa-- and daddy wants a Jet ski... Mrs Claus - -This mom wants a jet airplane ride. Santa--So many children want so much, and so many children have so little..... Mrs. Claus - - It's so difficult meeting all these desires...all from a trip that started out with just one bag...Dear, the point of your giving has gotten lost!... It seems the wanting has gotten out of hand. Santa - - and this year, with so little ice, I don't know how the reindeer can take off... Besides, all those anti-terrorism efforts are making flying particularly dangerous. If we don't fill out enough forms and flight-plans with the governments, they might try to shoot us down! Mrs. Claus - - Doesn't Rudolf take care of all that now? Messenger enters Messenger - - Santa, sir, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is, there's still no snow and now no ice. The reindeer are complaining they can't take off with a full sleigh without ice. It's just too rocky. They can't even train adequately! Mrs Claus (cupping her ear to hear better) - - Eh? What that about a train? Do we have to worry about that Polar Express again? ....so what's the good news? Messenger - - The good news is, we just saved 15% on sleigh insurance by switching to Geico! (messenger exits) Santa- - that's great, dear, but the reindeer can't practice, and won't be able to. It's just getting too dangerous to plan this year's trip. Mrs. Claus - - Oh, I see. Maybe it is time you called an Elf Council to discuss it all Narrator - - This is necessary you see, because Santa has gotten democratic, with a little help from the organizing efforts of the Union of Elves. Enter Elves Elf -1--Santa, so glad you called us in on this. With no ice, the North Pole is in great danger. With no ice, cruise ships could even start bringing constant visitors. Elf -2---Tourists! Elf-3 - - And still the sled wouldn't be able to take off! Santa -- What do you suggest we do? Elf-2 - - We could add a gas turbo booster to the sled. Elf-1 (grumbling) and add to global warming! (other Elves grumble in agreement) Elf-3 - - Solar Power! Elf-1 - - But there's no sun here in the winter! Or at night when Santa flies. (other Elves grumble in agreement) Elf-2 - - Take fewer presents and skip every other house. Elf-3 - - Or skip those who waste energy! (some elves mumble agreement, some disagreement) Elf-1 - - Maybe give them lumps of coal! Elf-2 - - That is another greenhouse gas creator. Elf-3 - - Maybe Santa should fly only in the summer, and really surprise people (elves puzzled...huh?) Elf-1 - - Everybody has gotten so greedy, maybe we should just skip a year. All freeze and count quietly to 5 All Elves ------Ohhhhhhhhh Enter Rudolf Rudolf That would save a lot of energy, but let me light the way out of this! Maybe we need to teach everybody to re-think their habits Christmas should be about peace, and celebrating the joyous birth, and the Spirit living among us all year-even in April and May and September! With this attitude we wouldn't have to waste so much, use so much, or buy so much. Mrs. Claus - - Yes! Santa should carry a lot less, and depend on the people to follow his example. Enjoy giving from the heart! Simplify! Spread good cheer! Make haste to stop the waste! Rudolf - - If the children and the adults can do this, the ice could be saved and the North Pole could preserve its magic. So let's load up this sleigh brightly, but lightly. Santa - - Rudolf, won't you guide our way with all your might! Narrator - - So Santa sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, Curtain
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