WALK TO BETHLEHEM! ‘04
---a journey of joy; a Christmas walk
that
leads to Easter; the way of our
redemption!
---written especially for DAVID’S CHURCH
---written by DAN NEIDERMYER
PO BOX 7565
LANCASTER, PENNA., 17604-7565
717-519-0275
THEME (S)
EMPHASIZED IN OPENING SCENE---
“Christmas” carries with it so many different meanings to so many different people. To some, Christmas brings loneliness and the sense of “emptiness” in one’s life. To others, Christmas pushes/forces them to do certain actions (like visiting people) they would never do and actually, don’t do throughout the remainder of the year.
Because of how we “see” others at Christmas, we feel we should act in a certain way, specifically “more nice/more gracious/even kinder” -- in a way becoming rather hypocritical in actions and words!
But in an
“ideal” world, we would not experience these feelings.
Because we don’t live in an “ideal” world, we can experience the “Reason for the season” Who can indeed bring meaning and purpose to our life/lives...a more abundant life plus eternal life.
SUGGESTION:
The sharing at the manger could “tie-in” with the concepts of the
opening scene...the “walk” having shown the way to our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ...and in truth, showing the “reason for the season.”
CAST OF CHARACTERS---
NARRATORS----
NOTE: The “WALK” is guided by four narrators, each costumed totally in white. Each is dressed appropriately to the scenes they’re narrating. Thus, HUMPHREY is in a white tuxedo; ANGELICA in a white gown. JONAS is a shepherd in an appropriate white robe, and THEBES is a servant to the three magi and thus dressed in all white clothes that bespeak his station in life.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: While the narrators are scripted within this script, narrators are free to do research and include additional dialogue that would enhance their narration and scenes.
.......................................
OTHER INDIVIDUALS INTERACTING WITH THE AUDIENCE THROUGHOUT THE WALK---
1. TWO ANIMAL HANDLERS----who show and explain--- especially to the children---a donkey and a sheep.
2. CHRISTMAS CAROLERS---a group of carolers sing appropriate Christmas carols at the end of the opening scene and nearby several scenes on the walk.
3. SOLOIST---who sings “O Holy Night” to the shepherds
........................................................................................................................
OPENING SCENE----
1. CLAUDE
2. MAGGIE
3. MARTIN
4. SARAH
5. SHAWN (teenager)
---CHRISTMAS
CAROLERS (participate at several points
during the walk)
6. HUMPHREY, the
first narrator (dressed all in white)
................................................................................................................................
FIRST TABLEAU--- (proclamation of Caesar Augustus)
7. ROMAN SOLDIER
(announcing census of Caesar Augustus)
8. HEBREWS/ JUDEANS
9. ANGELICA, the second narrator (dressed all
in white)
..................................................................................................................................
SECOND TABLEAU--- (visitation by the Angel Gabriel)
10. MARY
11. ANGEL GABRIEL
12. JOSEPH
***13. ANIMAL HANDLER
(who shows and explains a donkey)
..................................................................................................................................
DURING THE
MARY-JOSEPH JOURNEY---
14. JONAS, the third narrator (dressed in an
all-white shepherd costume)
....................................................................................................................................
THIRD TABLEAU--- (announcement by the multitude of angels)
15. ANIMAL HANDLER (who shows and explains
sheep)
16. SIMEON, a most excited shepherd
17. BENJAMIN, a shepherd in a hurry!
18. A MULTITUDE OF ANGELS
---with several
individual speaking roles
....................................................................................................................................
FOURTH TABLEAU--- (the amazing discovery by the magi)
19. THEBES, the fourth narrator (dressed in a
totally white appropriate costume)
20. CASPAR
21. MELCHIOR
22. BALTHAZAR
...................................................................................................................................
FIFTH TABLEAU--- (the crèche---and birth of the Truth)
---as designed by others.
WALK TO BETHLEHEM 2004
I. AS THE AUDIENCE ENTERS----
...Several friendly members of David’s Church stand “just inside” the entryway. As “audience members” enter from the outside, each is warmly and most enthusiastically greeted.
MEMBER OF DAVID’S CHURCH
(extending his/her hand in friendship/greeting)
Good evening. Welcome to “our” home.
(pointing out Christmas cookies and punch/coffee/etc)
Please help yourself to some coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and Christmas cookies, etc.
Please do enjoy yourself this evening. We’re very glad you’re here.
Obviously, the above “welcome/greeting” can be ad-libbed and adjusted to those entering, whatever, as needed. Above all---the first impression should be warm and friendly...making a person feel immediately, “I’m glad I/we came here tonight!”
NOTE: Please do not have a large grouping of David’s Church people standing near the entryway having personal conversations...Instead, everyone should be urged to assist as part of the “welcoming detail.”
NOTE: The fellowship hall should be “filled” with beautiful Christmas music (secular) either performed “live” (preferably) or “piped in.”
II. OPENING SCENE---
A rather grumpy local yokel enters, walking down the center aisle through the audience, grumbling, grumbling, grumbling----
CLAUDE
Rain! Rain! RAIN! That’s the forecast! Rain! Rain! RAIN!
Why so much rain? At this time of year! It’s Christmas! It’s the dead of winter!
And what is the forecast---rain! Rain! RAIN!
(with much
frustration and exasperation---actually taking precipitation quite personally)
This weather is simply not being fair to me.
MAGGIE
Since when is weather fair to anyone?
CLAUDE
(just going on and
on, beating a dead horse into the ground)
You’d think weathermen could get it right!
What’s so difficult about reading weather patterns?
If it happens to the west, sooner or later, it’s going to happen here.
Even I could do that.
MAGGIE
Do what?
CLAUDE
Get the weather right. But, no, not our weather guys---
One thing you can count on. “Accuweather” it is not.
MAGGIE
What’s with you? First the weather, then the weather guys.
CLAUDE
Christmas is supposed to be in the middle of winter, right?
MAGGIE
If I get the answer right, do I win the prize?
CLAUDE
Snow! The middle of winter! The end of December!
(singing)
“Jingle Bells...dashing through the snow---“
MAGGIE
What’s with this sudden preoccupation with snow?
CLAUDE
It’s called “vacation!”
It’s called what I plunked down $ 2,500 for!
It’s called I can’t wait to go skiing in Colorado.
MAGGIE
(indicating Claude
and his antics of the last few moments)
That’s what this is all about? What does rain here have to do with skiing in Colorado?
CLAUDE
It’s not here, it’s there. Rain is there.
We won’t be going skiing, we’ll be white water rafting!
MAGGIE
We’re not flying there for another two weeks. Maybe the weather’ll change.
CLAUDE
Do these weather guys know how they affect the general population?
The panic they can inspire with one sentence---
“Expect 6-10 inches tonight, beginning around midnight!”
Suddenly, it’s rush out and get the bread and milk and know the kids aren’t going to school tomorrow.”
Then you wake up at 5, and what’s outside?
(to get his answer, CLAUDE turns to the audience...HE uses the proper facial and hand gestures while speaking and asking the question so that the audience will be prompted to say---)
AUDIENCE
(responding to Claude’s prompting; “something we’ve all been through how many times?)
Nothing!
CLAUDE
(complimenting the audience)
Right on the money!
(then, back to his usual grumbling)
Which is what I wish I could say about our weathermen.
MAGGIE
(moving to exit)
Well, truth to tell, I’ve got more to do than sit around and listen to you gripe and complain about people on TV, especially people you don’t even know.
CLAUDE
Who’s griping and complaining?
MAGGIE
What have I been hearing for the last however long it’s been?
CLAUDE
I’m just stating the truth.
MAGGIE
About which you can do nothing.
(resigned to the fact)
If it’s going to rain, it’s going to rain.
If it’s going to snow, it’s going to snow---here or there in Colorado.
CLAUDE
(with a sly mockery)
Ri--i--i--ght!
MAGGIE
(exiting)
So I’m out the door, Christmas shopping.
CLAUDE
In the rain?
MAGGIE
It’s not raining out.
CLAUDE
And it’s not snowing either, and “Accuweather” said we’d we be having both by now---
I quote: “freezing rain and snow starting about 7:00 tonight, accumulating to about---“
MAGGIE
(trying to exit)
Enough already! I can live without that forecast. So be glad they got it wrong, Claude.
CLAUDE is silent
for a moment.
Then---just as MAGGIE has but one more step to exit---HE bursts forth with---
CLAUDE
You know why I wanted to go skiing in Colorado for our vacation?
MAGGIE
Claude, I’ve got a zillion presents to buy, and---
CLAUDE
TV commercials and the internet.
MAGGIE
What?
CLAUDE
Both showed beautiful people having fun, laughing and smiling, having a great time.
I thought we needed that, you and I.
MAGGIE
But I can’t ski, Claude. And neither can you.
CLAUDE
We’ll start at the “bunny hill.”
MAGGIE
“You” can start at the bunny hill. I’ll go shopping.
CLAUDE
Always shopping. What can you possibly need that you don’t already have,
but still have to always be going shopping for? How am I to understand that?
MAGGIE
(trying to exit yet again)
It’s like the weathermen you’re griping about---don’t try! Besides, it’s a “woman thing.”
CLAUDE is silent
for a few moments.
Then, just as MAGGIE is about to take a step out of the set, CLAUDE bursts forth---
CLAUDE
We’re “alone,” Maggie.
MAGGIE
What?
CLAUDE
That’s what we are---two people “alone.”
MAGGIE
We’ve got lots of friends.
CLAUDE
We’ve got lots of acquaintances.
MAGGIE
(a bit perturbed...and beginning to show it)
Claude, what’s brought on whatever it is you’re experiencing or not experiencing tonight?
that’s making you so---so---down?
CLAUDE
Christmas.
MAGGIE
(what!?)
Christmas?!
CLAUDE
(deep in thought)
So much to do, so little meaning.
So much activity, so little happening.
MAGGIE
(oh, dear!)
My husband, the kitchen philosopher.
CLAUDE
(quite sincerely)
I mean it, Maggie. I’ve never felt lonelier than right now.
MAGGIE
(then, do something!)
Well, do something about it.
CLAUDE
I did. I’m taking us skiing in Colorado.
MAGGIE
Oh, great! Your therapy, and---silly me---I thought it might be a time “just for the two of us.”
(an aside)
Another “woman thing.”
CLAUDE
(you’re kidding, right?)
“Just the two of us?” Doing something we can’t do?
MAGGIE
I always thought booking a skiing trip was a bit odd---for us.
CLAUDE
It looks like so much fun. It looks like “instant camaraderie” out there on the slopes.
MAGGIE
That’s what advertising does. Makes something “look like” what it’s not.
CLAUDE
(really trying to find some hope within himself)
But what if it is?
AS:
Literally---screeching from the back of the
staging area---
SHAWN
(quite loud; in fact, very loud)
I don’t want to go!
MARTIN
(absolutely appalled by his daughter’s outburst)
Quiet! They’ll hear you!
SHAWN
Inside a house?!
MARTIN
Sound carries on a cold night.
SHAWN
Not through brick.
SARAH
(the mother, trying to understand)
What’s gotten into you?
SHAWN
Christmas.
SARAH
What’s that supposed to mean?
SHAWN
All this stuff we do every Christmas.
SARAH
That’s what people do.
SHAWN
We don’t have to do what “people do” when it has no meaning to us---
like visiting these people.
MARTIN
They visited us last Christmas.
SHAWN
Yeah---for about five minutes.
SARAH
At least, they stopped by.
SHAWN
We didn’t want them to, remember?
SARAH AND MARTIN
Shawn!
SHAWN
Hey, truth is truth.
MARTIN
It’s Christmas.
SHAWN
So that’s the excuse to do everything we don’t want to do?
SARAH
It’s that time of year.
SHAWN
When we’ve got to do everything we never do the rest of the year and act like we like it.
AS:
CLAUDE
With all that happens at Christmas---truth is---
Christmas reminds me how empty our lives are.
MAGGIE
Speak for yourself.
CLAUDE
I am.
SHAWN
Why do we have Christmas anyway?
MARTIN
Oh, honestly, Shawn, we’ve always had Christmas.
SHAWN
So?
CLAUDE
I look around me, and everyone else seems to be really enjoying Christmas.
But for me---it’s a downer---
MAGGIE
Honestly, Claude, Christmas is “all about” friends and good times and---
CLAUDE
(okay
already)
I know what it’s “all about.”
(with
real truth and sincerity)
It’s just not “all about” here.
MARTIN
So, just accept it.
SHAWN
Accept that I’m going to have a rotten time when I’m supposed to act like I’m having such a great time?
SARAH
Sometimes, Shawn, you just have to go along to get along.
SHAWN
And that means?
MARTIN
(urging)
Just do it.
SARAH
(giving the reason)
Because it’s Christmas.
CLAUDE
I bet other people feel the same way I do.
MAGGIE
What’s that---miserable? And making me feel the same.
CLAUDE
Did you know there are more suicides at Christmas
than any other time of the year?
MAGGIE
(suddenly alarmed)
Claude, you’re not---!
CLAUDE
Why would the entire country have a time of the year
when most everyone becomes so---
SHAWN
Hypocritical! That’s what you’re both telling me to be.
MARTIN
(with a firmness) We’re visiting Claude and Maggie
whether you like it or not.
SHAWN
Why?
MARTIN
You know why.
SHAWN
It’s Christmas.
SARAH
And we’re being good friends.
AS:
MARTIN, SARAH, and a rather reluctant SHAWN make their
way closer to Claude and Maggie’s home---
MAGGIE
Are we expecting company?
CLAUDE
Not really.
MAGGIE
Well, we’re about to have some! So, smile---
MARTIN
(warning his daughter)
Now change your attitude when we go in there---
MAGGIE
---and act decent when whoever it is comes in---
CLAUDE SHAWN
But-- Why?
MAGGIE MARTIN AND SARAH
It’s Christmas. It’s Christmas.
THEN:
EVERYONE “FREEZES” IN
POSITION.
....................................................................................................................................
---MEGA
SPECIAL EFFECT---
...a flash pot
...a lightning bolt
...the sound of rushing wind
...flash paper with the sound of
rushing wind
...whatever will give the effect
that something “other-worldly” is about to appear/intervene
....................................................................................................................................
AND THEN:
HUMPHREY---dressed
all in white (white tux would be
preferable)---enters the staging area, “beaming!”
HUMPHREY
(speaking directly
to the audience)
Good evening.
(waits for a
response from the audience - if he doesn’t get an immediate response…)
Good evening.
(assuming he does
get a response and indicating the audience)
I’m so very glad you’re here---even if---
(indicating all
the people in the scene)
---they’re not!
(making a
commentary on the people in the scenes)
Sad, isn’t it, that they can’t truly enjoy this wonderful season of the year.
(quoting Claude)
“So much to do, so little meaning.”
(then interpreting
this bit of wisdom)
“Meaning” should come in the “doing,” and in the “doing” should come “enjoyment.”
Ah, but that is probably in an “ideal world.” You know---if we lived in an ideal world---it would snow exactly where you want it to, but never on the roads. Rain would water plants and fields, but never on your picnic. In an ideal world, we could eat all the Christmas cookies we want, but never gain an ounce. We would always know the right thing to say. We would always be at the right place at the right time. In our lives, we would know only joy and happiness...and our hearts would be filled with an inner peace and a warm, glowing contentment that not only enriched and fulfilled our life but also blessed and encouraged others.
(turning toward
the stage, indicating)
What if they lived in an ideal world---?
(his expression
and gesture with the audience almost impish yet encouraging)
Let’s rewind---
What happens now is actually quite hilarious. ALL CAST
MEMBERS “rewind” to the events of approximately five minutes ago. Their
movements duplicate everything they previously did, but now in “rewind” mode!
If possible, each even speaks a bit of their dialogue as if in “rewind” mode.
When EVERYONE is “back in place”---five minutes ago---
HUMPHREY
(with a hand motion much like a magician! toward the characters)
---and “suddenly, you’re living in an ideal world.”
NOTE: ALL ACTIONS/ALL STATEMENT are exaggerated...made to
appear overly sweet, overly nice, overly gracious. ALL MOVEMENTS are pleasant,
sweeping and flowing. After all, this is an “ideal” world!
CLAUDE
(with a joyous,
“bigger than life” smile and attitude)
With all that happens at Christmas---truth is---
Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year when I’m just filled with all kinds of excitement!
MAGGIE
(so sweetly the
audience almost hears the “Hallelujah Chorus” within her words)
You’re speaking for both of us!
CLAUDE
(with a gracious,
loving, exaggeratedly-big hug of his wife)
I know! I know!
SHAWN
(with such
delightful longing)
Why can’t we have Christmas all year long?
MARTIN
(hopeful)
We could.
SARAH
(kindly;
graciously)
We should.
CLAUDE
I just love Christmas.
MAGGIE
Don’t you wish everyone did?
CLAUDE
(totally
astounded)
You mean there’s someone who doesn’t?
MAGGIE
Perhaps only in books or in the movies. Someone like that old, miserable Ebenezer Scrooge.
CLAUDE
But he was so long ago---
SHAWN
We’re going to have an absolutely “stupendous” time with Claude and Maggie.
SARAH
Sometimes, Shawn, you just have to contain yourself.
SHAWN
“Contain” myself?
MARTIN
Tone down your happiness.
SHAWN
But it’s Christmas! I’m overflowing!
SARAH
(with
a very sweet smile)
I know what you mean, dear.
MARTIN, SHAWN, and SARAH have walked to the “door” and
are about to ring the doorbell.
AS:
MAGGIE
(most joyously, clasping/clapping
her hands together)
Oh, joy, joy, joy! Company’s coming.
CLAUDE
(just can’t wait;
almost just can’t “contain” himself)
What a precious time to have unexpected guests.
MAGGIE and CLAUDE BOTH hurry to open their door.
CLAUDE AND MAGGIE
(way, way, way
over the top)
Come in! Why it’s the Mayfields! So very nice to welcome you into our home!
MARTIN, SARAH, and SHAWN most enthusiastically entering…
MARTIN, SARAH, and SHAWN
Merry, merry Christmas, you wonderful people.
We’re so glad your home. We just wanted to stop by
and wish you the very best at this Christmas time.
HUMPHREY snaps his fingers, and ALL CHARACTERS “freeze”
in position.
HUMPHREY
(indicating what
the audience has just seen; baiting the audience)
Sweet, isn’t it?
(then, back to
reality)
But life isn’t an ideal world.
HUMPHREY’S gesture “rewinds” ALL CHARACTERS, but only
back a few seconds.
MAGGIE
(putting her hands
on her hips, indicating annoyance, irritation)
It’s Martin and his wife and bratty kid.
CLAUDE
(can it be true?)
If they were coming to see us, the least they could have done was leave that son of theirs at home.
MAGGIE
No such luck.
MARTIN
(warning his
daughter)
One wrong word from you, and you’ll be grounded until next Halloween.
And the door opens.
MARTIN, SARAH, AND SHAWN -- CLAUDE AND MAGGIE
(everyone hugs and
kisses and gracious words)
Hello! Good to see you! Come in! Come in!
Good to be here! We’ve missed seeing you!
EVERYONE
(to each other)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
HUMPHREY
Ah, Christmas---it brings out the best and the worst in so many, many people.
NOTE: AS HUMPHREY is speaking directly to the audience,
two small groups of singers move to the two exits from the fellowship
hall.
HUMPHREY
But why? What is it about Christmas that does that to so many, many people?
(indicating Martin’s daughter)
And---as Shawn asked---“Why do we have Christmas anyway?”
Tonight, you’ve come to see “Why,” a very important reason why. Christmas didn’t just happen. And in just a few moments, we’re going to walk back in time. We’re going to go on a journey much as two young people did two thousand years ago...and the result---the truth why we have Christmas.
Listen----
The two groups of singers (Christmas carolers actually) sing: “JOY TO THE WORLD.”
AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE FIRST VERSE/CHORUS---
HUMPHREY gives some instructions about exiting...and meeting outside...for the tour.
The AUDIENCE begins to exit....enjoying the continuing Christmas carol--- “JOY TO THE WORLD”---as sung by the carolers standing near the exits.
III. THE WALK BEGINS---
HUMPHREY
As you were exiting, you heard that well-known Christmas carol--- “JOY TO THE WORLD.” That carol is a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas.
Our walk this evening will show us why.
From the beginning of time, from the moment of creation, God had a plan for our redemption. That plan would be needed because of the sin that entered the world. And within God’s plan was the promise of the One who would come to this earth...the One who would actually come to this earth from heaven, taking on a human form, and living among us.
Let’s begin our walk and see how and why this One from heaven came to live among us.
AUDIENCE BEGINS TO MOVE, FOLLOWING HUMPHREY.
Within a few steps, the audience hears the CHRISTMAS CAROLERS---now standing along the walk’s “route” and singing---
“O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM”
Near the FIRST TABLEAU----
HUMPHREY
Throughout all of Israel, people lived then---two thousand years ago---much as we live today. They were concerned about raising their families...and did what was necessary to do so. They worked as fishermen, shepherds, and tradesmen of all kinds.
All of Israel was under the governmental control of Rome. And like all governments, Rome levied taxes. These taxes raised revenues that built roads and aqueducts, buildings and temples, and kept the Roman Empire strong by maintaining the most disciplined army then known to the world.
Thus---the reason for a worldwide edict that affected all of Israel then and even us to this day because of what happened as a result of that edict announced by the soldiers of Rome.
A ROMAN SOLDIER enters and reads
from an official-looking document.
ROMAN SOLDIER
AT THE COMMAND OF THE EMPEROR---CAESAR AUGUSTUS IN ROME---
TO ALL LIVING IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE---
----CAESAR AUGUSTUS TODAY ORDERS ALL PEOPLE--- EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD---
TO REGISTER IN A UNIVERSAL CENSUS. THIS CENSUS WILL DETERMINE EACH PERSON’S TAXATION ON BEHALF OF THE SENATE AND PEOPLE OF ROME!
---EACH PERSON MUST RETURN TO THE PLACE OF HIS OR HER BIRTH. THIS CENSUS IS MANDATORY. NO-ONE WILL BE EXEMPTED FOR ANY REASON.
---THIS CENSUS TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. ALL MUST RETURN TO THE PLACE OF THEIR BIRTH TO REGISTER BY ORDER OF CAESAR AUGUSTUS, EMPEROR OF ALL ROME.
Reactions from THE JUDEANS
listening---
....ad-libbed statements of hardship imposed
by this order---
“But I have to travel so far! It’ll take me weeks to get
there. What about my family?”
“Why is such a census needed? My taxes are high enough!”
“Rome makes our lives harder every day!”
“I can’t possibly do this! I’m not well enough to make the journey all the way back home to the Galilee.”
NOTE: THE JUDEANS “disperse,” as if beginning their
individual journeys.
MANY OF THE JUDEANS move close to the audience...and “complain and gripe to the audience members” ...thus, bringing this moment a bit closer to the audience.
HUMPHREY
Caesar Augustus often boasted, “I found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble!” To do so, he demanded much tax money...which is a system devised for the public to pay for things government officials deem necessary.
Caesar Augustus subjected the whole wide earth to the rule of the Roman people. He did so by maintaining his very strong and very disciplined army...which was kept strong and disciplined by a heavy taxation on the people. He also offered great retirement benefits to his soldiers, providing each a villa in the country upon his retirement. Such incentives kept soldiers soldiering on behalf of the emperor.
The reason the people of Israel had to return to the town of their birth----is very similar to our being registered in our time through birth certificates and social security numbers.
...............................................................................................................................
SUDDENLY----
Another individual dressed completely in white---(could be a white tuxedo or---if a woman---a white gown/dress/etc)----beckons the audience to give her their attention.
ANGELICA
Look! Look! Over here! An amazing event is about to happen! There was a young girl---named Mary---who would---much to her amazement and astonishment---be visited by a most unique being.
Throughout the history of the Hebrews, prophets had told the people of Israel to expect the coming of their Redeemer, their Messiah. In truth, most Israel was always looking for their Redeemer, their Messiah...but for a thousand years, none came.
Thus, you can imagine Mary’s surprise when---appearing to her---announcing---
ANGEL
(most joyously)
Great joy to you, highly favored one!
MARY
(startled)
What!? Who are---
ANGEL
(reassuringly)
The Lord is with you!
MARY
(with some trepidation; actually finding herself backing away from the angel)
I---I---don’t know----What are---
ANGEL
Please...don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found great favor with the Lord God Jehovah. So much so you have been chosen, selected by the Lord God Himself for a most important task.
MARY
Me? Chosen?
ANGEL
You will be with child and give birth to a Son. You are to give your Son the name “Jesus.”
MARY
(speaking quietly; much as if in awe)
Jesus---
ANGEL
Jesus will be great and will be called the “Son of the Most High.” The Lord God will give Him the throne of His forefather David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end.
MARY
How can this be?
ANGELICA
(explaining to the audience)
At this time, Mary was “betrothed” to a young man whose name was Joseph. In Israel during the first century, “betrothal” was a form of engagement...and was really a commitment on the part of both the young woman and the young man that they would indeed become husband and wife---at some point in the future.
Most often, a specific wedding date was not set because the future groom’s responsibility was to build the home in which the two would live when they eventually got married. Thus---while the man labored and toiled to build their home---the future bride gave the young man her promise: she would be his: when their home was built.
Hebrew marriage custom generally had the man getting betrothed at age 18, the woman making her promise at about age 13.
“Betrothal” was a celebrated event, most often announced by the parents. “Betrothal” was very much a public statement that “the young girl was being adopted into the family!” and vice versa.
The marriage---though anticipated---was not consummated until the wedding day.
Thus, Mary was concerned---How could she give birth to a child?
And thus, the Angel Gabriel’s divine answer:
ANGEL
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy One to be born will be called “the Son of God.”
MARY
I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me just as you said.
ANGELICA
(speaking directly to the audience)
“And what about Joseph?” you ask. Excellent question! Because to be seen in public---or private for that matter---with a “pregnant” Mary---his future wife---during the time of their betrothal would truly have been a mark of shame and ridicule. Enough to make Joseph call the marriage off.
But an angel also appeared to Joseph, telling this young carpenter God Himself wanted him to continue in his betrothal to Mary...and to take his future bride to the town of Bethlehem...the “city of David”...where each would register, as required by the edict of Caesar Augustus.
So---Joseph did as he was asked to do by God. And soon---both Mary and Joseph were on their way to Bethlehem.
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AT THIS POINT---- ANIMAL DISPLAY/DEMONSTRATION
AN ANIMAL HANDLER brings a donkey to the audience. There,
he shows the donkey to everyone...paying special attention to the children.
The ANIMAL HANDLER explains the importance of a donkey
during that period of time----
1. Travel was difficult on dirt
roads in the desert. Thus an animal who could endure such travel was needed.
2. A donkey was often gentle and
docile...just the kind of animal a “pregnant” Mary would need for the journey.
3. A donkey also carried the
personal needs and equipment of Mary and Joseph...and thus was indeed a “pack
animal.”
The ANIMAL HANDLER would share as much information as is useful and available while permitting the kids to “get close” to this animal.
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MARY THEN RIDES THE DONKEY----while JOSEPH leads.
DURING MARY AND JOSEPH’S JOURNEY
A SHEPHERD (JONAS) appears
along the way.
The SHEPHERD is also dressed in white, but in the costume of the day.
JONAS
(explaining to the audience)
Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth when the Angel Gabriel appeared to them.
But they had to go to Bethlehem--- which is a little village----
(pointing to the west)
---way, way over there....about six miles south of Jerusalem,
but a much longer journey from Nazareth.
There were many, many, many people on the dirt roads back then...
because “all people” were required to go register for the census.
So Mary and Joseph would have been seen by many, many people making the same journey.
On their journey, Mary and Joseph passed many hills on which
were many shepherds and many, many more sheep.
..........................................................
AT THIS POINT-----
AS: The audience is walking past
the hillsides on which there are indeed many shepherds and many, many sheep.
AN ANIMAL HANDLER brings a
small sheep to the audience, especially
to the children.
When this animal handler
appears---
MARY and JOSEPH continue on their way to Bethlehem.
EVEN AS:
JONAS speaks directly to the
audience, sharing in a most gracious and understanding way to the children.
JONAS
(explaining to the audience)
Sheep were very important to the people of Israel. In fact, a sheep was the most important animal to the people of Israel because sheep gave wool for clothing and meat for food.
Sheep are gentle animals...etc...etc...etc.
JONAS “tells” any and all
information about sheep....also the importance of the shepherd.
The CHRISTMAS CAROLERS
gather nearby and sing---
“WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS”
THIRD TABLEAU---
SUDDENLY---
Running toward the audience----
SIMEON
(with much excitement; shouting; moving directly into the audience)
Hurry! Hurry! You won’t believe it! You won’t believe what’s happening! Right now! This very moment! Up on the hills!
Rushing down the hillside---
BENJAMIN
(shouting at Simeon)
Simeon, get back up here! Get back up the hillside! You’ve got work to do! And the others want to be going---
SIMEON
(to the audience)
The most amazing---
BENJAMIN
You’ve got sheep to take care of! And we’ve got a long journey if we want to see the One tonight in---
SIMEON
(to various people in the audience)
Did you see them?!--- Did you see them?!--- Did you see them?!
BENJAMIN
What’re you talking about? Are you chasing a wild animal out after one of our sheep? when you should be going with us!?
SIMEON
(continuing to talk with the audience)
I’ve never seen anything like it!! Neither have you! None of you!
BENJAMIN
Simeon, come to your senses! The others want to leave immediately! Are you going with them or not?
SIMEON
(indicating the audience)
I want everyone to go with them!
(asking many in the audience)
Don’t you want to go? You want to go, right?
(the above question is repeated several times to different members of the audience)
BENJAMIN
Simeon---the angels---
SEVERAL ANGELS
REJOICE! REJOICE! WE BRING YOU THE BEST NEWS EVER! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST! AND ON EARTH, PEACE, GOOD WILL TO ALL MEN!
SIMEON
(very excited; to the audience)
Listen to them! They’re angels!
ONE ANGEL
FOR BORN UNTO YOU THIS VERY NIGHT...IN THE CITY OF DAVID...IS A SAVIOR
WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD.
SIMEON
(overjoyed)
I knew it! I knew it! Something important---from God! It’s
happening tonight! And the angels are telling us about it!
Imagine! Angels talking to us---shepherds!
ANOTHER ANGEL
THIS SHALL BE THE SIGN---YOU WILL FIND THE BABE
WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHES AND LYING IN A
MANGER!
BENJAMIN
(running up the hillside)
Simeon! I’m leaving! NOW! With or without you!
SIMEON
(rushing after Benjamin)
I’m coming! I’m coming!
(then stopping and turning to the audience)
All of you---you come too! He’s born for everyone!
“ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH”
“GO TELL IT ON THE MOUTAIN”
NOTE: Following the singing of these two carols, the CAROLERS
exit the hillside and
move to the manger scene...joining the choir and celebration soon to be taking
place there.
JONAS
(explaining to the audience)
The Mighty God announced to all the Hebrews on this very night the birth of His Only Begotten Son!
And those shepherds---keeping watch over their flocks this very night---suddenly left those hillsides and made their way to Bethlehem, the “City of David,” just as they were told by the angels.
What would you have felt that evening if you were a shepherd on a hillside suddenly visited by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “...for behold tonight we bring you glad tidings of great joy!”
SOLO FROM THE HILLSIDE----
“O HOLY NIGHT” is sung.
..............................................................................................................................
FOURTH TABLEAU---
At the completion of the song---THEBES, a servant to the
Magi, comes running to the “walking audience.”
THEBES is clothed totally in white, but in the costume of a servant to royalty.
THEBES
(speaking directly to the audience)
You best hurry along now! My masters wish to speak to you about an amazing discovery...made this very night!
My masters---they are star gazers! That is a very important job for any of you who don’t understand. My masters---they watch the stars every night...and depending upon what they see---how this star moves where and when---my masters formulate advice to give to our king.
And then---our king