CAST OF CHARACTERS
ELIAS: (Speaks 73 times/941 words). A shepherd
LYDIA: (Speaks 53 times/961 words) A shepherdess
MATTHIAS: (Speaks 54 times/872 words) An Innkeeper
HANNAH: (Speaks 61 times/744 words) An Innkeeper’s wife
JOSEPH: (Speaks 44 times/495 words) Mary’s husband/earthly father of Jesus
HEROD: (Speaks 21 times/523 words) The King over all the Jews in the region
MELCHIOR: (Speaks 22 times/513 words) One of the wise men
GASPAR: (Speaks 22 times/388 words) One of the wise men
MARY: (Speaks 27 times/265 words) Mother of Jesus, wife of Joseph
BALTHAZAR: (Speaks 11 times/177 words) One of the wise men
CALEB: (Speaks 17 times/169 words) A guest at the Inn
HEZEKIAH: (Speaks 22 times/146 words) A shepherd
DINAH: (Speaks 9 times/121 words) Caleb’s wife
ISAIAH: (Speaks one time/111 words) The prophet of God
MALTHACE: (Speaks 11 times/94 words) Herod’s wife
MOSES: (Speaks one time/80 words) The prophet of God & Jewish deliverer
ANNA: (Speaks 9 times/70 words) A guest at the Inn
GABRIEL: (Speaks one time/57 words) God’s messenger/angel
MICAH: (Speaks one time/40 words) The prophet of God
NADYA: (Speaks 5 times/36 words) A shepherdess
VARIOUS EXTRAS CAN PLAY HEROD’S COURT WOMEN, MORE GUEST AT THE INN, MORE SHEPHERDS, SERVANTS OF THE WISE MEN.
Excerpt:
SCENE ONE: THE SCENE OPENS TO THE PROPHETS OF OLD, WRITING DOWN THEIR PROPHECIES. LIGHTS GO UP TO A SMALL AREA ON THE STAGE.
A MAN IN BIBLICAL CLOTHING, IS SEATED, WRITING ON PARCHMENT WITH A QUILL.
MOSES
(Reading what he wrote)
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
LIGHTS GO DOWN ON MOSES BUT UP IN ANOTHER SMALL AREA REVEALING ANOTHER MAN WRITING.
MICAH
(Reading as he writes)
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.
LIGHTS GO DOWN ON MICHAH BUT COME UP IN ANOTHER SMALL AREA, REVEALING ANOTHER MAN READING FROM A SCROLL. HE COULD BE STANDING OR SITTING, PERHAPS STANDING TO MAKE IT A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
ISAIAH
Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice. From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
SCENE TWO
LIGHTS COME UP ON A BETHLEHEM INN WHERE PEOPLE ARE GATHERING, SOME SITTING IN A CORNER, SOME AT RUSTIC TABLES, A COUPLE IS MOVING AROUND THE ROOM HELPING PEOPLE / SERVING THEM FOOD AND DRINK. THEY ARE THE INNKEEPER & HIS WIFE. WE WILL CALL THEM MATTHIAS & HANNAH.
HANNAH
Matthias! I think we need more wine!
MATTHIAS
When I get a chance, I will go and get some more. But I don’t know when that will be. I can’t keep up with all of this now, as it is!
HANNAH
It will all be over soon.
MATTHIAS
Not soon enough!
HANNAH
I don’t think we have ever been this busy before.
MATTHIAS
THINK? I KNOW we have not! This is the first time we have filled every possible room and space in this place. The registering is great for business… if we can just survive till it is over.
HANNAH
I can’t believe there are this many people originally from Bethlehem. I have heard that the other Inns in town are completely filled as well.
MATTHIAS
It seems to me that there had to be a better way to do it. They send everyone back to the place where they are from to register. Nobody stopped to think how many people that was going to involve and where we were supposed to put them all!
ANNA
Do you folks need some help? You sound like you were not totally prepared for this many guests.
MATTHIAS
Oh, we will be fine.
HANNAH
Speak for yourself Matthias! I would love some help if you are offering.
MATTHIAS
We can’t pay her!
ANNA
Oh, I don’t need to be paid. I just want to help.
HANNAH
And I appreciate it. Perhaps we can give you a free meal or something.
ANNA
What can I do?
HANNAH
You’ll find blankets in the back room. If you could ask around to make sure everyone has enough.
ANNA
Of course.
(She exits to get blankets)
CALEB
Did I hear that you are giving out free meals?
HANNAH
No, you did not.
CALEB
But you just said to that woman…
HANNAH
Would you like to scrub the floors?
CALEB
Of course not! I’m a guest here!
HANNAH
That’s what I thought. Then, no. I am not giving out free meals.
CALEB
I’m not sure I like this establishment. Something’s not right with you people.
HANNAH
You can always leave and try to find a room somewhere else in town.
CALEB
Well, I’m not sure….
HANNAH
No. There are no other rooms available in town. Then you will come back here hoping that I will give you your room back, but I will have already given it to someone else.
CALEB
Never mind. I’m very happy with my room.
HANNAH
Glad to hear it.
(She moves on to keep working as Anna enters with blankets. Caleb goes back to his table)
DINAH
Are you causing trouble again?
CALEB
All I did was ask a question.
DINAH
Just don’t get us kicked out. I don’t think we can do better than this.
CALEB
I know, I know. Everything will be fine.
ANNA
Would you folks care for another blanket?
DINAH
I think we are fine. Perhaps someone else needs one more than us.
CALEB
May I ask you a question?
ANNA
Sure.
CALEB
Are you working for the Inn?
ANNA
Oh, no. I just offered to help out. They looked as if they could use some help.
CALEB
So you are just doing it out of the kindness of your heart?
ANNA
I guess so.
DINAH
A concept that is new to you, right Caleb?
CALEB
Don’t be silly. I know what it is to volunteer.
DINAH
Oh you do? I don’t think I have ever seen you do it.
(There is a knock at the door. Anna goes to the door)
MATTHIAS
(To Hannah)
What was that all about? What is going on?
HANNAH
It’s simple. “She” wanted to help pass out blankets. “He” did not want to wash the floors. It’s all taken care of.
MATTHIAS
Wash the floors?
ANNA
There is someone at the door.
MATTHIAS
Now what?
(He crosses to the door)
May I help you?
JOSEPH
We need a room for the night.
MATTHIAS
I’m sorry. We are full up. There is no room.
JOSEPH
But my wife is about to have a baby. It might come tonight.
MATTHIAS
Oh my! Well, that is unfortunate. But there is nothing I can do. I have people on the floors. There is no place here where your wife could have her baby.
JOSEPH
But what are we going to do? Where can we go?
MATTHIAS
I feel for you, I really do. But I have no room for you.
HANNAH
What is it, Honey?
MATTHIAS
They are having a baby tonight.
HANNAH
On a night like this? Oh dear! You need a comfortable place with some privacy.
MATTHIAS
I know of no place like that in all of Bethlehem!
HANNAH
Have they tried every Inn?
MATTHIAS
It won’t do any good. Nobody has room. I’m sure of it.
HANNAH
(Sudden thought)
They could go to the stable!
MATTHIAS
The stable?? It’s not clean!
HANNAH
There is straw, privacy and plenty of room.
JOSEPH
Might we go there?
MATTHIAS
You don’t want to go there! It’s a stable! No place to have a baby!
JOSEPH
I don’t think we have much of a choice now.
MATTHIAS
Well, I suppose you are right about that. There really isn’t any place. Well… I don’t care. If you think that will work for you.
HANNAH
Matthias, take them back there.
MATTHIAS
I have so much to do…
HANNAH
It will only take you a minute. Just think of it as doing a good deed for someone in need. I will try to come back there later and check on you.
JOSEPH
Thank you so much! The Lord bless you. Mary! We have a place.
MARY
Thank the Lord!
MATTHIAS
Follow me, I’ll show you were it is.
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