(A Christmas Pageant with Music for presentation by Church Groups, Religious Education Classes and Others)
Prelude:
Old Simeon walks slowly on to stage, using a cane. He crosses the stage and painfully sits down. Unable to get comfortable, he cries out: Aaron! Aaron, please get me my blanket.
A young boy comes running with a blanket. He works to situate the old man.
Aaron: Uncle, why do you walk so far? You’ll be miserable all night!
Simeon: I walk to hear the news and what I hear sooths my aches Aaron, you were at the market today, what did you hear?
Aaron: I heard Mary’s no longer with us. That she rose up and disappeared. Do you believe it?
Simeon: Hmmm, like the greatest of the prophets, eh? I’ve seen so many amazing things, I’m no longer sure what’s going to happen next. Yes, I suppose it’s possible. If it’s true, I’ll miss that child.
Aaron: Sir, a traveler stopped by to see you earlier today. He said he’d be back this afternoon. Look, there he is now!
Simean: A traveler, ‘eh? Looks safe enough – when he gets here, ask him to come in. … but stay, you might hear something that interests you.
Aaron: Sir, come in please – my uncle is home now.
Luke enters and bows: The Lords blessing on all who live here.
Simeon: And also on you. My boy will bring us some refreshment. Please excuse our humble offerings.
Luke: Sir, I’m a follower of The Way as I hear you are too.
Simean: Wonderful! Yes, you could say that I have been following the way for many years now – almost since the very start of the story.
Luke: I’m traveling all
of Judea and
Simean: Yes, I knew him well as a boy and I knew his parents too. What do you know of the house that he grew up in? Not much? Well let me tell you.
Lights fade down on Simean, Luke and Aaron – Lights come up on a poor kitchen…
Scene 1: Mary rejoices in her engagement but soon finds out
she will be pregnant with God’s child and that her old cousin is going to
have a baby. She goes to tell her parents but decides to find out what
they know about
Ann: Mary (calling from off stage then entering), Mary, your father and I are going to discuss the wedding arrangements.
Mary: Oh Mother, I wish I could go with. I used to see Joseph so often going about his work but ever since the betrothal, I’m supposed to hide whenever I see him coming.
Ann: My dear, you’ll see plenty of him soon but for now, you need to act modestly.
Mary: Mother, of course! I’m always modest but …
Ann: Now Mary, be patient, these are our customs. The wedding will be here soon and then it will be over so just enjoy the excitement leading up to it in the traditional ways.
Mary: Yes, mama, I know.
Ann: I love you honey, now I need to go meet your father. You can start cooking dinner when you’re done with the preparation. Your father and I won’t be long. (Ann leaves – Alone, Mary starts to prepare dinner but after a short while, a stranger steps into the room)
Gabriel: Hail Mary
Mary: Hail to you sir, my father isn’t hear now but I expect him to return in a few minutes. Would you like to wait outside and I’ll bring you a drink?
Gabriel: Full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Mary: Thank you sir and with you too.
Gabriel: Mary, you have found favor with the lord.
Mary: Who are you?
Gabriel: I am God’s messenger. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus and he will be a savior for his people
Mary: Jesus? Savior?
Gabriel: Yes, he will be a savior for his people! He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, of his kingdom there will be no end.
Mary: Oh sir, please. How could this be? I have no relations with a man. My betrothed and I will not be married for some time.
Gabriel: Do you not know my child, that for God, all things are possible? His holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
Mary: A child … by the spirit of God … Sir, do you know what happens to women who have a baby without a husband?
Gabriel: If you can trust Mary, then it will happen as I tell you. Elizabeth, your cousin – You know her well.
Mary: Yes, I know her well. Poor thing, has no children of her own but she’s always been so kind to me.
Gabriel: Well Mary, then behold, Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.
Mary: But a baby? What will my parents say? What will Joseph do? Even if it were to happen, would the baby and I be allowed to live?
Gabriel: As our creator’s messenger, I can tell you of his promise and it is this:
Gabriel sings the refrain of “I Will be With You”
Mary speaks but the music plays softly in the background: Trust in his love – Yes, you are right, for everything I have comes from him.
(Mary’s persona changes and she begins to move as if she’s filled with confidence.)
Mary: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.
Gabriel: You have placed your faith in our God and the rewards are too bountiful to be told!
(Mary and Gabriel sing Holy Is your Name with some variations in the text)
Mary: Verse 1
Gabriel: Refrain Substitute “God’s” for “Your” such as “Holy is God’s Name …”, then change last line to “people he has chosen and holy is God’s name.’
Mary: Verse 2
Gabriel: Refrain with substitution
Mary: Verse 3 & 4
Gabriel: Refrain with substitution
Mary: Verse 5
Gabriel: (To same tune as verses) May he look on you with kindness, protect you from all evil, may he comfort your struggles and guide you always forward.
Together: Refrain with substitution
(Angel fades away – Ann comes in)
Mary: Mother, Father, while you were out, something amazing happened ...
(Lights go down on Ann and Joachim’s house
Scene 2: Lights come up again on Simeon, Luke and Aaron:
Simeon: It fell on Joachim to break the news to Joseph. It was a very unpleasant conversation. Joseph was heartbroken but also very angry – He blamed Joachim for letting it happen but, in the end, he told Joachim that, if Mary were to leave town quietly, Joseph would tell no one about her pregnancy. Instead, he would divorce her quietly.
(Lights go down on Simeon and Luke and come up on Joseph working alone in his workshop. He’s aggressively planing a piece of wood. He knicks the edge, picks up the piece examines it, throws it down and stands up stiffly.)
Joseph: That’s what I get for working after sundown on the Sabbath – Looks up: punished again, eh Lord?
I’m sorry Sir but I’m only working because I can’t sleep. (He paces a bit then stops again.)
Lord, why? You know how lonely I was and you found the perfect woman for me – why did you let this happen to us? Why did Joachim let this happen, that’s the real question. (Raising his voice) It’s a shame upon his household, the old fool!
I’m so angry and sad and … and … Oh Lord, I give up. How can I ever get over this hurt, this anger, this embarrassment … Please Lord help me.
Joseph sings verses to tune of “Here I Am, Lord”
I, am broken hearted Lord, I had put my faith in you. Now my life has gone a-wry. What can I do?
Take this pain from my heart,
Help me find true love again, a virgin sweet for my new bride,
and I will say:
Sing refrain, but change last line to, “I will do whatever you have planned”.
O Good Lord, what did I say? Not my will but yours today
Forgive me Lord, not my way but yours be done
Come break my heart of stone, Give me a heart for you alone, I will be your servant true and I will say:
Joseph (speaking): Forgive me lord, your will be done. (Laying down, he prepares to go to sleep. The lights go down on him)
Scene 3: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth.
(The lights come up on Simeon and Luke)
Luke: A young, unmarried girl pregnant! I’m surprised the village didn’t stone her.
Simeon: In
(Lights fade on Simeon and Luke and
come up as Mary and Joachim approach
Joachim: Greetings sister!
Mary: The Lord’s blessing on you my sister!
Joachim: The Lord’s blessing on you and your household. How are you feeling?
Joachim: Gods will be done! It’s a miracle for you and Zechariah. (Quietly to himself) Yes, a miracle for you and a tragedy for me.
Mary: Please Father, Now do you see what I was saying? It’s exactly what the angel said, All things are possible for God.
Joachim: Let’s talk inside
(Once they’re inside the house)
Joachim: Oh
Mary: Oh Father, please! I’ve told you – this is the Lord’s work. Cousin, perhaps you’ll understand – An angel visited me and asked me if I would be the Lord’s handmaid – I put my life in his hands and he gave me this baby – And as a sign, he told me that you were also pregnant and now, we see that it’s true! But Father still won’t believe me – I’ve never had relations with a man
Joachim (looking at the
ground): I brought her here hoping to protect her from the rabble in
Mary, will the handmaiden of the lord by my handmaiden too in my time of need? My heart is overjoyed at the thought. Please stay with Zachariah and me as long as you want.
Joachim, don’t you see – the Lord has blessed you with the wisest girl I’ve ever met – she trusted in the Lord and he has delivered her and he will deliver his people.
Elizabeth sings, “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” starting with refrain, then verse 1, refrain, verse 2 then finish with refrain
Mary: Bless you cousin and thank you! Father, will you believe?
(Joachim hugs his daughter and then Elizabeth, Mary weeps with joy and then starts to sing)
Mary sings “Holy is his Name” Verse 1, refrain, Verse 2, Verse 3, refrain, Verse 4, Verse 5
He has shown his might to all, dispersed the arrogant from his sight
He has thrown down the rulers but lifted up the lowly
Joachim and Elizabeth join Mary to finish the song, starting again with the refrain
He has helped
according to his promise to Abraham and his people
And holy is your name through all generations! Everlasting is your mercy to the people you have chosen, and holy is your name.
Mary: Father, we’ll be alright
Joachim: Yes, God will take care of his own. God’s will be done.
Mary: Amen!
(Lights go down on Joachim, Mary and Elizabeth and up on Simeon, Luke and Aaron.)
Simeon: Joachim left for home
while Mary stayed with
At the same time, Joseph was
troubled by a dream that returned to him every night. Because he was
unable to get any rest, he realized that the dream was a message from God so he
left
(Lights go down on Simeon and Luke and up on Mary as she sits in front of Zachariah and Elizabeth’s house doing housework - Joseph walks into the scene from the distance and Mary looks up to see him.)
Joseph: Mary, I’m so sorry, please forgive me?
Mary stands: Joseph, these’s nothing to forgive. You were hurt and scared. I know how difficult it must have been. Peace be with you Joseph.
Joseph: Mary I know now. I understand what you were saying and even though I have no right to say so, I believe you – I know you were telling me the truth and I’m so ashamed about how I behaved.
I apologized to your father and I asked him if I could take care of you. After a lot of persuasion, and I think prayer on his part, he finally told me how to find you. I’ve come to take care of you if you’ll let me.
Mary: Joseph, I’m going to have a God’s child.
Joseph: I know – Night after night, the angels have come to tell me and they also told me to come to you, and if you’ll allow me, to bring you into my home and take care of you. Will you have me?
Mary: (Smiling and taking his hand) Let’s go talk to my cousin.
Scene 4: The Proclamation to the Sheppards
(Lights go down on Mary and Joseph and up on Simeon, Luke and Aaron)
Simeon: Mary and Joseph both stayed to help Elizabeth and Zachariah and during that time, they named the baby John. As soon as the child was given the name, Zachariah’s voice returned and he praised God for all the wonderful things that had happened to his family and Joachim’s family too!
But before Joseph and Mary could
enjoy their reuniting, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole
world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was
governor of
And Joseph too went up from Galilee
from the town of
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them
(Lights go down on Simeon and up on some sheppards with their sheep trebling and cowering before an angel)
Sheppards: Who is it? How do you dazzle us as you do?
Angel: Do not be afraid; for
behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the
people. For today in the city of
Sheppards: A Messiah?
In
Angel: Believe! and this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Listen:
Luke (from off stage) And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God
Angel starts to sing the Gloria “Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on Earth (taken from the mass)”. More angels join in the singing starting off stage. “Lord God, heavenly King, almight God and Father”, with a different Angels voice for each verse. When it returns to the refrain, all angels join in. Repeat in as a round with more of the choir joining in to fill in the celestial hosts.
After Gloria is completed. Allow stage to go quiet for a time allowing the sheppards to begin talking among themselves. Murmuring is replaced by quiet singing by all Sheppards:
Sheppards sing gently, “It came upon the midnight clear …” One Sheppard takes the third verse as a solo then Angels and Sheppards join in for the fourth.
Lead Sheppard to others: Let
us go, then, to
Luke (from off stage) So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
Scene 5: The stable
(Lights go down on Sheppards – Up on Mary sitting next to the baby’s manger with Joseph standing beside her – Sheppards enter the scene)
Sheppards: Peace be with you. Is there a baby here?
Joseph: Yes?
Sheppards: Praise God – we were sent by an angel. We have been told that this babe born in these poor surroundings will be the messiah of Isreal. Praise God! (response) Praise God! (start to Chant!) Praise God! Praise God!
Sheppards : Sir – we,
we were sent by a spirit … a man who shone in the dark – he told us
to come here to see the savior of
Joseph: We are poor travelers but praise be to God – this child has already done amazing things for all who know him. Bless you and thank you for coming.
Joseph starts to sign, “Oh Come all you Faithful”, the sheppards continue in on the second verse – angels join on the third then invite whole audience to sing along on repeat of the first verse.
Sheppards: “Poor travelers, blessed family, please accept my humble gift and share my food.” “Yes, mine too”. “And mine.”
Mary: (Smiling but sushing them): Bless you kind men. My husband and I are honored.
Sheppards: Look, the child is asleep. Praise God – let us go and let the family rest.
Joseph: Peace with you always. Thank you for your kindness!
Sheppards: Praise God and keep you.
(Sheppards leave and Mary and Joseph settle in to share the food)
Joseph: Oh Mary, God gave me such a gift when he gave you to me. You’re amazing! You’re so calm, so smart, so beautiful …
Joseph: You could have been killed? Weren’t you afraid?
Mary (after pausing and reflecting): Look at us Joseph, we’re just barely surviving – we could starve at any time, a building could fall on our heads or a Centurion could run us down. You know, it happened just the other day to those poor people on the other end of town. Our lives are filled with uncertainty. Our only hope is in the Lord so what else can we do?
(Lights go down on Mary and Joseph and up on Simeon and Luke)
Simeon: Joseph took care of
Mary as long as he lived. And his mother kept all these things in her
heart. To all outside appearances, Joseph acted as the proper father of
the child while remembering always that the boy was son of the most high.
When eight days were completed for the baby’s circumcision, he was named
Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of
Moses, they took him up to
Luke: You were there?
Simeon: Yes, I was there. I had suffered so much with my infirmities that I was there every day, and something amazing happened – as soon as they walked in to the temple – a feeling stirred within me and I knew that this baby would, somehow, change our world. I took the baby in my arms and gave praise to God. I said, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."
The child's father and mother were amazed at what I said. And then for reasons I can’t explain, a spirit filled me and I said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
I was sure that my life’s mission had been to witness that child and God would lay me down for my final sleep.
Luke: But you’re still here?
Simeon: Laughs – yes, how about that? The Lord had his own plan for me – isn’t that just like him?
Luke: (laughing and embracing Simeon) Praise be to God!
Simeon: Praise be to God!
(Lights go down)
All music referenced available through Gia Publications,
Words used in the play and alternative lyrics developed by Tim Hadfield, c. 2008
