Narrator: It was dark. A lamp hung outside the stable entrance to light the boy's way.His job was to bring the visitors' animals to the stable and settle them down for the night. He felt sorry for the little donkey as he fed him some hay. The donkey was worn out. He had come all the way from Nazareth. Many of the animals the boy had tended had travelled long distances. But there was something about this little donkey, that made the boy give him extra special attention.
The boy guided the donkey gently to the drinking trough, then brought fresh straw for him to lie on. Once the donkey had satisfied his thirst, the boy brought him to his straw bed.
Although his job was finished, the boy stayed with the little donkey, sitting beside him on the straw. The boy loved the stable. It was dark, yes, but it was warm and comforting on cold nights like this, and it was peaceful and quiet after the busyness and noise of the inn. Just then,, he heard voices�..
( ENTER MARY, JOSEPH, INNKEEPER's WIFE)
INNKEEPER'S WIFE; Not the best place to sleep, I know, my dears, but I don't suppose you'll mind, seeing you're both so tired. The stable is at least dry and warm.
Hopefully, in the morning some of our guests will be moving on, and we can offer you better. A good night's rest will do you both the world of good.
Now if you need anything, young Saul is usually around .He'll fetch you whatever you need. Ah, there you are. (BOY MOVES FORWARD)
If our guests need anything, Saul, you tend to it! (HE NODS)
MARY: Thank you. We are tired. This will be fine.
JOSEPH: Let's find you somewhere to rest. Come over here, out of the night air.
(JOSEPH & SAUL SET ABOUT MAKING A STRAW BED FOR MARY.)
MARY: Joseph, I don't think this baby is going to wait till morning to arrive.
JOSEPH: Then let's get you as comfortable as possible..........
(SOUND OF BABY CRYING)
NARRATOR: Mary was right. This baby did not wait. He was born, there in the stable among the straw and the animals. His young mother laid him in the animals feeding trough that the boy Saul had filled with fresh, clean straw.
SAUL: Imagine! A baby born, right here in our stable! The grown-ups always say the world is better for a baby born. It did seem that even the animals sensed something special had happened. They were very still through the night ,only making soft, almost noiseless sounds.
INNKEEPER'S WIFE: (Panting hard) I'm really sorry, but I couldn't persuade them to leave you in peace until the morning. I don't know what they think they're up to.....
(THREE SCRUFFY SHEPHERDS ENTER THE STABLE)
SHEPHERD*1: It's true! We're sorry to barge in like this.But the angel told us we would find the Saviour of the World born tonight in Bethlehem.
INNKEEPER'S WIFE: Does this child look like the Saviour of the World?
SHEPHERD*2 The angel said we'd find him lying in a manger.
SHEPHERD*1 And here he is! (THEY KNEEL DOWN BEFORE THE MANGER)
SHEPHERD*2 Thanks be to God, we've seen his Anointed One.
SHEPHERD*1 What a night this has been! (SHEPHERDS EXIT)
JOSEPH : You must rest now, Mary. Try and get some sleep.
NARRATOR: Silence fell over the stable as the new family settled down to sleep.
The night however, was not over for the shepherds. They wandered through the streets of Bethlehem, announcing to all who would listen that the Saviour of the World had been born that night. Some listened and were convinced by the Shepherds' words. Others believed only that they had been out on the hills too long, and were seeing and hearing things.
SAUL: They say I'm too young to know things, that I don't understand. But I do.
That baby may not be the Saviour of the World, but he is important. I'm sure of that. Shepherds don't come into town without good reason. And their story about angels seemed very real. It's difficult to imagine the Saviour of the World being born in a stable, though.
INNKEEPER'S WIFE: Saviour of the World indeed! That little mite! If you ask me, those shepherds had been celebrating Hanukah early. I saw nothing to convince me that he was anything but a simple carpenter's son.
SHEPHERDS : It's back to the sheep for us. It seems almost like a wonderful dream.But it did happen. We thank God that he chose us to be the first to bear the news.
We'll never forget this night.
NARRATOR: And so, as the shepherds return to their flocks; Saul to his stable; the Innkeeper's wife to her guests, let's take a last look at that stable....
MARY: Joseph, we are blessed this night. The Lord has granted us a special place in his plan for humankind.
JOSEPH: And we will not fail him, Mary. He has entrusted us with his Son. His will be done in us.
NARRATOR: The days ahead will bring happiness and danger to Mary and Joseph, but for now let them enjoy this moment of joy and delight.
(LIGHTS GO DOWN ON THE STABLE SCENE)
Scene: Herod's Palace - Throne Room
HEROD: Why should I see these visitors?
MINISTER: They have news which might interest your majesty.
HEROD: News? What kind of news?
MINISTER: Of a King soon to be born..The King of the Jews,Sire.
HEROD: (Worried) Well, what are you waiting for? Send them in.
(WISE MEN ENTER)
Noble Sirs.. You honour this house with your presence. Tell me what brings
you to Jerusalem .?
WISE MAN*1 We come in search of a new-born King. One who is to be King of the Jews.
HEROD: But how did you learn of this new King?
WISE MAN*2 In our study of the heavens, we have learned that a King will be born in this land. A King such as the world has never seen before. We followed the star that heralded his birth and it led us here. For where else would a King be born.?
HEROD: Where else indeed? But I can assure you there are no new births here, nor are any expected. Let me ask my most learned people and perhaps they can help us find this new King of yours. In the meantime, please be my guests. My chamberlain will show you to some comfortable quarters. Once I have news for you, I will send for you.
(WISE MEN EXIT,BOWING LOW-ACCOMPANIED BY MINISTER)
(screaming) Guards! Guards!
Fetch my astrologers and chief advisors.!.....NOW!
(THEY ARRIVE)
Why is it that I have to hear about a new King from strangers arriving at the palace? You're supposed to keep me informed.
Now, tell me where's this King to be found!
ASTROLOGER: The signs all point to Bethlehem, Sire, in Judah.
HEROD: Guards! Bring those strangers to me! (EXIT GUARDS)
(ENTER WISE MEN)
That didn't take too long. Gentlemen, the King you seek is in Bethlehem, a few miles from here. My people will make sure you have provisions for your journey. Once you have found him, return here, so that I might go and worship him myself.
(WISE MEN EXIT)
Scene: A little house in Bethlehem
JOSEPH: Mary, I'm home! I'm starving! What's for dinner?
MARY: Patience! Patience!
It's your favourite, so just wait a few more minutes before you
start looking to be fed. �.. What's that?
NARRATOR: The sound of voices and camels snorting could be heard.
It came from the street outside. Then a heavy knock on the
door sent Mary hurrying to answer.
SERVANT: Is this the place where the new King is to be found?
The masters have made a long journey in some of the worst
conditions just to find the King that was foretold.
MARY: Your masters are most welcome. We know that our child is chosen and angels told shepherds in the fields that he is the Saviour, the Christ whom our prophets foretold would come to save his people
JOSEPH: Bid your masters enter. You will find food and water for your animals in the yard by my shop.
(ENTER THE THREE KINGS:)
KING *1: Where is the child born to be King?
MARY: He is asleep in his cradle. Come! (SHE LEADS THEM TO THE CRIB)
KING * 2: Truly, this has been a long coming.But now how glad I am we came!
KING*3: Sastro, bring the gifts to us.
(SERVANT CARRIES IN THREE GIFTS)
KING*1: I bring the gift of Gold, may your Kingdom never end.
KING*2: I bring the gift of Myrrh, may you reveal the life everlasting.
KING*3: I bring the gift of Frankincense, may those around you find the Eternal in you.
NARRATOR: As the Kings were leaving, Mary pondered over the gifts and the blessings they brought. And she treasured all these things in her heart.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scene: The Kings' Camp. That night.
KING*1: Sastro! Sastro! Call the others! (SASTRO APPEARS RUBBING HIS EYES)
(ENTER THE OTHER KINGS)
KING*2; There's no need.We're here. Did you have the same dream too?
KING*1: An angel messenger?
KING"3: Saying 'Go home another way'
KING*1: YES!!
KING*2: It's nearly first light. Let's get ready. We can leave almost immediately.
KING*3: Good idea! The longer we delay the greater danger to the child. Let's go!
(THE KINGS,SASTRO & THE CAMELS EXEUNT)
NARRATOR: And so we leave our Christmas Tale.
The Kings and Sastro leave for home hoping to safeguard the new King from Herod's jealousy. Meanwhile, for the moment, Mary & Joseph are unaware of the danger to come. The most important part of their lives lies in a cradle. The joy of their lives -- his baby smile. The shepherds on the hillside enjoyed their fame for a while. Knowing that God had chosen them for a special task. But all good things have to come to an end....and then, of course, there was the sheep.....
And as for Saul, the boy in the stable, many a long night he wondered about the
child born in the stable and laid in the manger...Could this really be..the One!
THE END?
