By Morgan Mizell

The Natchez Democrat

JONESVILLE — The Jonesville Church of God hopes to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas Sunday with an original skit written by one of their members.

Jodie Crooks, writer and director of the skit, along with two other youth leaders including her husband Tim, have made it their mission to perform a few original skits every year with their youth group.

“The Lord has blessed us to be able to collaborate on certain topics,” Crooks said. “We are able to bring to life different messages and all the glory goes to the Lord.”

The skit titled, “The Dream,” was nothing more than an idea that came to Crooks while she was in a church service listening to the pastor. She said he asked the congregation if they loved Jesus above everyone and everything else.

“It made me think about Christmas time,” Crooks said. “At this time, especially, we put so much ahead of the true meaning of Christmas.”

Once the idea came to her, she said the rest of the skit just flowed.

The skit is the story of a wealthy family who owns a hotel.

The family’s status and reputation are important to them, and they diligently try to book only the most prominent hotel guests on their register. Soon, a prince books a stay, and the family quickly loses focus on everything but the promotion of their future guest. Their daughter, who is not so impressed, goes to stay with her aunt and uncle.

Jessie Paul, another church youth leader, lends her vocal talent to the production in the form of music direction and narrator.

“When she is with the Christian relatives, who lead a very simple life, she sees that there is more to life than money and prestige,” Paul said. “She has a dream that takes her back in time, and she is able to see the true meaning of Christmas.”

“The skit is a modern day retelling of the birth of Jesus through the eyes of the innkeeper,” Paul said. “We are using prestigious hotel owners to replace the biblical innkeeper and I think people will enjoy it.”

The cast of the production includes Jodie Crooks, Alana Crooks, Tim Crooks, William Crooks, Marty Crooks, Ethan Crooks, Shelly Cay, Sharon Lee Cay, Clyde Wright, Amy Wright and Jessie Paul.

The performance will take place at the Jonesville Church of God located at 152 Hwy 3037 in Jonesville, Louisiana at 6 p.m. Sunday

The event is free and open to the public.