Let’s get ready to the great party

Jo 1,6-8, 19-28

Author: Cecília Pellegrini

Christmas was arriving and all the animals were getting ready for the great date.

The liveliest among all the animals was Lady Zebra, resident of the most beautiful mansion of the forest.

A week before Christmas, she came back from the shopping center loaded of bags at the same time in that she spoke on her cell phone: - What? Just a case of champagne? Moreover, do you want them to call me mean? No way! You can bring three cases of imported sparkling wine. Which is the more expensive? French champagne? Then it is what I want.

She turns off the phone and loudly says: - It is not a coincidence that they call me Zoraide, the zebra of the wealth and of the beauty. Now I have to see if my dress is ready.

She picks her cell phone again and calls her clothing store. 

Zabelli, the only daughter of Zoraide enters the room and calls: - Mom, mom.

The irritated mother answers: - It is not possible now, Zabelli, I am organizing everything for the Great Christmas Party, don't you notice?

The little zebra insists: - But, mother...

Zoraide replies very nervous: - Shut up! Your father and I will receive the most important animals of the forest and everything has to be perfect, understood? Everything must be perfect.

The daughter becomes very distraught and sits down in a corner of the room.

The mother not even notices, because she is concerned with the clothes for the party. With an imposing voice, she speaks on the cell phone: - is it the "Store of Sophisticated Clothing?" Here is the Zoraide Zernandes Zonassis Zebra, married to the mega entrepreneur Mr. Zorge Zernandes Zonassis. Are my husband’s tuxedo and my three silk, taffeta and organdy dresses ready? What? No? What a mess, Christmas will be in one week, did you know? Your incompetent ones.

Very irritated she turns off the cell phone and asks her daughter:--Can you see, Zabelli, how my life is full of very important things to do? In Christmas Eve, you will get your gifts: a cell phone, drone, IPhone, IPod, IPad, and who is behind everything, who? Myself here. Phew! The preparations for Christmas tire me.

Zabeli’s father enters the room and sees his sad daughter: - What happened, little daughter?

Zoraide does not let the daughter answer and starts speaking: - what Zorge, that little zebra thinks that she is already a big zebra, she thinks that my life turns around her. She tires my beauty.

Zabelli, very sweet, explains: - Father, I only wanted permission to get some of my clothes and of my toys to take to school. They are making a campaign to help the poor animals, do you understand?

The father is delighted and authorizes - Lovely little daughter, of course you can get everything that you want! After all, you have so much...

Zoraide starts shouting: - What? Zorge, how many times I have to tell you to not go so easily with Zabelli. 

The mother tells her daughter with a pointed finger: - Look at this, your little zebra here, you are forbidden to get anything and to give it to the poor, understand? For-bid-den!

Zorge tries to talk to his wife: - But darling!

Zoraide doesn't let her husband talk and is already speaking: - Zorge, Zorge, you manage your businesses, I manage the house, remember?

The daughter, not wanting the parents to fight because of her says: - It’s all right dad, I will ask the teacher to take me to give the gifts and I will give my affection for the little animals.

Once again, the father is delighted with the kind heart of his daughter: - What a good idea, my little daughter, which also helps a lot. Let us have a walk in the garden?

Father and daughter leave hugged to talk in the garden.

The zebra Zoraide, alone in the room, walks back and forth, while she speaks: - How much petulance of my daughter. She thinks that she will join those shirtless little animals, dirty, paw in the ground, certainly, she will not go. However, enough of that daughter stress, because I have more important things to do. 

She sees the bags of the boutiques and is wondering where she will keep those clothes and shoes, because all their closets are full. 

While the zebra is thoughtful with their new clothes, a Firefly enters the front door and asks: - Please, is this the mansion of Mrs. Zoraide Zernardes Zonassis?

The half-eyed zebra replies, "Yes, it's me." Who are you? How did you get in here?

The Firefly explains that a nice gentleman who was in the garden let him in.

The zebra is very irritated: “Oh, Zorge is always upsetting me”. Coming back to you: Firefly of what?

The Firefly replies: - Just Firefly really.

More than quickly Zebra asks, "And what does a simple Firefly, just Firefly, want in my mansion?"

He explains that he is going from house to house to remind all the animals to prepare for the big party that will arrive.

Then the Firefly sings very excitedly: - Let us get ready, the big party is coming. In addition, you will love it, joy will reign...

Zoraide covers her ears and shouts, "Stop, stop, stop. What an insult to enter my house and keep reminding me of the great party. Did not you see? From the garden of my mansion, the whole house is already decorated for Christmas. The gifts, the food and drinks are already ordered, the party clothes as well. Everything from the most expensive, everything imported. Money is what I am lacking. She gets her wallet and shows how it is full of money and credit cards.

Very calm the Firefly says: - I see, but to celebrate the birth of the Lamb is much more than clothing, food, gifts...

The zebra becomes curious and asks, "And is there anything else besides everything I've provided?" What, I want to buy it, what is it?

The Firefly explains: - It is an invitation to rethink how we are living and how to end misery.

The zebra laughs. "So good bye, because I'm not poor or destitute so you're wasting your time here in my mansion.

The Firefly is not intimidated and explains: - That is where you make a mistake. Misery is not just the lack of money. Poor are also those who do not love, are selfish, who do not share what they have, both material things, and the talents they got when they were born.

The father and the little zebra enter the room and Zabelli says – Did you see mother, did you see what I was talking about? That is about it. Now that I am growing I am learning with my teachers, with my catechist and they explained to me that Christmas is the time to think and change our way of being and living.

Her father reinforces, "And let’s talk the truth, dear, here in this house we have so much more than we need. You have plenty of money, worried only with appearances and forget to live with more joy.

Zoraide is thinking on what she has heard: "Wow, Zorge and Zabelli, do you think I'm not a good zebra? Do you find me futile, stressed, selfish, and irritable?

The husband and the daughter nod. "Um, um.

Zoraide, already embarrassed, says, "Damn it, and I thought I was pleasing, I always bragged about being Zoraide, the zebra of wealth and beauty. I did not know I was doing it all wrong.

The Firefly, like a true master, explains: - But Mrs. Zebra Zoraide, this time, before the big Christmas party is exactly for that, to see what we are doing wrong and correct it.

The zebra is excited: - So, if today is day 17, I have a week to be a better zebra! Can I do it?

Everyone shouts happily: - Of course!

Zorge and Zabelli embrace Zoraide and say they will help her.

The Firefly, seeing the complete scene: - What a beautiful scene, family unity is very important, but do not forget that we need to announce, talk, and ask if everyone is really preparing for the big party.

Zorge: Preparing the party means watching how we are leading our lives.

Zabelli complements - It means to change what is wrong.

Firefly explains that is a great transformation! Zabelli concludes that is a transformation of the heart! Of the way of living! 

The zebra Zoraide, sorry of being so consumerist and selfish and very disposed to love and to share says: - That Christmas comes!

All hugged each other and they promised to Firefly that would also invite all to be prepared for the great party of Christmas. Moreover, they sang very high: - We will get ready. The great party is coming. In addition, you will adore. Happiness will reign.