Tell me the Story

A CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
With Drama and Music

Book and Music by John Pattison
With additional arrangements by
Steve Allison

Cast of characters and songs by scene:
Song-- “TELL ME THE STORY OVERTURE”, INSTRUMENTAL
Song-- “GLORY IN THE SONGS WE SING” Medley, CHOIR
Bed Scene -(recurring throughout) Small living area of modest 1st century home
at stage left. On one wall is pallet or bed against a table with water pitcher and
cup and towel. Caddy-corner to bed is chair against other wall. Door to room is
at side of stage.
Characters- HANNAH, young Jewish woman.
MARY, 40’s, mother of Jesus, Gentle and Gracious
ELIZABETH, 80ish mother of John the Baptist, Spunky, though deathly ill

Scene one -Spotlight on center stage in front of choir
Characters-- YOUNG MARY, Teenage mother of Jesus
ANGEL, Messenger
Song-- “HE SHALL BE EMMANUEL!”, CHOIR with solos by ANGEL and
MARY

Scene two -At stage right, Living area of home, simply implied by door in frame
upstage, a table downstage and perhaps a few easily moved furnishings
Characters-- YOUNG ELIZABETH, 50ish mother of John the Baptist, 6 months
pregnant
ZACHARIAS, 60ish father of John the Baptist, kindly older man
YOUNG MARY
Song-- “MY SOUL WILL MAGNIFY THE LORD”, CHOIR with solo by YOUNG
MARY

Scene three -Lit area of center stage in front of choir
Characters-- YOUNG MARY
YOUNG ELIZABETH
ZACHARIAS
WOMAN 1
WOMAN 2
MAN
PRIEST
OLD MAN
CROWD
Song-- “GLORY BE TO GOD!”, CHOIR and all characters
Scene four -Pools of light down stage across which Mary and Joseph walk by
characters in Pantomime, eventually ending up in a simple stable scene at stage
right.
Characters-- YOUNG MARY, very pregnant
JOSEPH
INN KEEPER
PEOPLE
ANGELS
SHEPHERDS
Song-- “CAROL MEDLEY”, CHOIR under narration

Scene five -Pool of light, center stage in front of Choir
Characters-- JOSEPH
YOUNG MARY, holding baby Jesus
SIMEON, elderly man
ANNA, elderly woman

Scene six -Interior of small home at stage right (similar to Scene two) work
bench and seating to one side
Characters-- JOSEPH
YOUNG MARY
MAGI 1, 2 & 3
YOUNG JESUS, may be baby or small toddler
Song-- “THREE WISE MEN FROM AFAR”, MAGI with JOSEPH and YOUNG
MARY

Scene seven -Lights at front of stage again for Pantomime or Interpretive Dance
(Should be dark and moody)
Characters-- Dancer(s) and/or Mimes
Song-- “ISRAEL MOURNS HER CHILDREN”, CHOIR
Scene eight-- eight---Transition from final BED SCENE to full lights on choir with soloist
Song-- “I’LL TRUST IN YOU”, CHOIR and MARY
Song-- “TELL ME THE STORY OVERTURE”, CHOIR and ORCHESTRA
GLORY IN THE SONGS WE SING Medley
CHOIR: Tell me the story of Jesus love to tell the story.
Tell me the story of Jesus.
I love to tell the story.
Tell me the story of Jesus
Over the hills and everywhere!
Born this day in the town of David,
Born in Bethlehem is Christ, the Savior!
Come to earth from His throne in Heaven,
Jesus Christ, the Lord.
And we give songs of glory to the King.
Let our voices ring with praises in the songs we sing Him!
Laud and honor to Him bring!
Sing a song of glory to the newborn King!
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love!
Tell me the story of Jesus. Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that e’er was heard
And we’ll give songs of glory to the King.
Let our voices ring with praises in the songs we sing Him!
Laud and honor to Him bring!
Sing a song of glory to the newborn King!
Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills and ev ev’rywhere! ’rywhere!
Go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is…
Born this day in the town of David
Born in Bethlehem is Christ the Savior!
Come to earth from His throne in Heaven,
Jesus Christ, the Lord.
And we give songs of glory to the King.
Let our voices ring with praises in the songs we sing Him!
Laud and honor to Him bring!
Sing a song of glory to the newborn King! (repeat twice)
Glory to the newborn King!
And we sing Glory to the newborn King
I love to tell the story,
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Glory to the newborn King!

Bed Scene: Interior of Hannah’s house. ELIZABETH is sitting in a chair,
seemingly asleep. There is a bed and a small table with water pitcher, cup etc.,
next to the chair. A young woman, HANNAH, is fixing bedclothes. There is a soft knock on the door. HANNAH crosses to open door and MARY enters.
HANNAH: ( In hushed tones) Cousin Mary! I am so glad you made it in time. She
has been asking for you.
MARY: (apologetically) I came as fast as I could. I had to attend a wedding.
HANNAH: That’s right! How was the wedding?
MARY: Lovely. I’ll have to tell you all about it. ( nodding towards ELIZABETH)
How is she?
ELIZABETH: ( opening her eyes for the first time) How do you think I am? I’m
dying. ( MARY and HANNAH start) Come over here, child. ( reaching out) I have been waiting for you.
MARY: ( laughing) Elizabeth. ( MARY crosses to chair and leans over to hug
ELIZABETH)
HANNAH: I will leave you two to talk.
MARY: Thank you, Hannah.
HANNAH: I’ll be back soon. ( HANNAH leaves)
MARY: ( kneeling next to chair, still holding ELIZABETH’s hand) I thought you
were asleep.
ELIZABETH: How can I sleep with that child hovering over me all the time?
MARY: Hannah? She means well.
ELIZABETH: I know she does. And truth be told, I could not do without her. You
should know me well enough by now not to pay any heed to the rantings of a
dying old woman. (ELIZABETH coughs weakly)
MARY: Elizabeth, you shouldn’t speak like that. We have many years ahead to
share.
ELIZABETH: No, Mary. My time is coming to an end. But it’s all right. I am ready
to go. The Lord has been good to me. You, of all people, know that. I have lived
longer than most and have seen the birth of the Messiah, to my own niece, no
less! And my son, my own John, has grown to be a man of God… a prophet! I
only wish that he were here.
MARY: I’m sorry. I heard he was just sent to Herod’s prison.
ELIZABETH: Oh, yes. But the people know he is a prophet. And Herod is aware
that there will be riots in the streets if he hurts him. But enough about me! I
want to talk about you. Tell me. How have you been? And what has your son
Jesus been up to?
MARY: ( chuckling) Oh, I really put him on the spot this time. I just went to a
wedding in Cana. Jesus was there. I heard the steward say they had run out of
wine so I sent them to Jesus. He was pretty perturbed with me. He said,
“Mother, my time has not yet come.” But I just hated the thought of the lovely
wedding being ruined because of a little wine.
ELIZABETH: So what did he do?
MARY: He made more wine, of course. The best wine that any one had ever
tasted!
ELIZABETH: ( clapping her hands in glee) Mary! Are you serious?
MARY: I know. I know. I shouldn’t have done that
ELIZABETH: Who would have thought so many years ago that we would be
laughing together like this. (sigh) Do you remember how scared you were?
MARY: Oh yes. I remember well. You were with child.
ELIZABETH: That’s right. Already an old woman, even then, and I was pregnant.
MARY: And Zacharias had seen an angel and couldn’t speak.
ELIZABETH: For nine months, I always got the last word! ( they both laugh)
MARY: And then the angel came to me. ( start intro. ‘Hail Blessed Mary’) I was so frightened, so young.
( Lights fade on bed scene and rise on Scene 1. Lights on choir when they join in song.)

Scene One: Pool of light on Angel and Mary.
HE SHALL BE EMMANUEL!
ANGEL: Hail, blessed Mary, the Lord’s eye is on you.
Know now that you have found favor with God.
You, who shall bear the Hope of the world,
You shall conceive the Living Word.
Y. MARY: What have I done to deserve the Lord’s blessing.
What have I done to find favor with God?
Using the low lowest maiden of all,
est Truth will arise and evil will fall.
CHOIR: And He shall be Emmanuel! God is with us!
He shall be Emmanuel! God is with, Emmanuel!
He shall be Emmanuel, the mighty God!
He shall be Emmanuel, Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
MEN: The Holy Son of God will come to earth.
The throne of David shall be restored.
ALL: And of His kingdom there will be no end,
For He shall be Emmanuel!
And He shall b be, and he shall be Emmanuel, Emmanuel!
e, Hail, blessed Mary, the Lord’s eye is on you.
You have been chosen to bear Him a Son.
In Him shall be the hope of us all.
He shall be called Emmanuel.
( Lights on choir and Young Mary and Angel fade as song ends. Lights up on bed scene)

Bed Scene:
MARY: (Moving to sit on bed) I really did not understand at the time all that was
in store for me.
ELIZABETH: How could you? You were just a child.
MARY: If you had not taken me in, I don’t know what I would have done.
ELIZABETH: That was God’s doing. All I knew was that I was getting bigger by
the minute and I needed some help! God knows Zacharias was a good man, but
he was useless around the house!
MARY: You didn’t know I was pregnant?
ELIZABETH: Oh, I had heard rumors through the family. Your parents were pretty upset.
MARY: It took them a long time to get over it. And poor Joseph! He didn’t know
what to think.
ELIZABETH: But, I knew you. You had always been such a good girl. There had
to be an explanation. Of course, I could not have EVER imagined just how
wonderful the explanation was! It wasn’t until you showed up at our door…
( lights fade out on bed scene and up on Scene 2)

Scene Two: Main room of house. YOUNG(er) ELIZABETH, obviously pregnant, is tidying a small table and calling…
Y. ELIZABETH: Zacharias! Zacharias! ( ZACHARIAS enters from other room and stands behind her) Zacharias! Oh, where is that man. ( Y. ELIZABETH turns on that last line and is frightened by ZACHARIAS standing behind her) Oh! I wish you wouldn’t do that! ( ZACHARIAS shrugs and smiles- he’s used to her rantings) Can’t you wear a bell or something? I hate it when you sneak up on me. ( ZACHARIAS gives her a look) Well, at least clap your hands or something.
( ZACHARIAS smiles and gives ELIZABETH a hug then touches her belly and asks with his eyes if she is okay.) The baby is fine. Any more scares like that though and it will be coming early! ( they both chuckle. Elizabeth picks up a blanket) I was hoping you would help me get the extra room ready. Mary should be here any time. ( ZACHARIAS takes the blanket from her and motions for her to stay while he begins to take it into other room just as he hears YOUNG MARY call from outside.)
Y. MARY: Zacharias! Elizabeth!
(ZACHARIAS crosses to answer door. MARY enters carrying bag.)
Y. MARY: Zacharias! ( She drops bag to give ZACHARIAS a hug) It is so good to see you! ( ELIZABETH starts and places both hands on her stomach as
ZACHARIAS picks up MARY’s bag and carries it and the blanket to other room.)
Y. ELIZABETH: ( rushing over to MARY) Mary! Oh, Mary! Blessed are you among
women! And blessed is the fruit of your womb. How wonderful that the mother
of my Lord comes to me!
Y. MARY: (Surprised) Then you know?
Y. ELIZABETH: As soon as I heard your greeting, the child inside me leaped for
joy!
Y. MARY: (hugs ELIZABETH) Oh Elizabeth, I knew you would understand. The
angel said I would be carrying God’s child! (start intro) He also told me about
your baby!
Y. ELIZABETH: Mary, you are doubly blessed for you have believed what the Lord
told you.
MY SOUL SHALL MAGNIFY THE LORD
MARY: My soul shall magnify the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
For He h has looked with favor
as On the lowliness of His servant.
From now on, all generations will call me blest.
MARY AND CHOIR:
My soul shall magnify the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
For He has looked with favor
On the lowliness of His servant.
From now on, all generations will call me blest.
The Mighty One has done great things for me!
He reigns with mercy without end.
His mighty deeds are shown for all to see.
The humble are now lifted up!
The rich and the powerful fall!
Through Israel comes salvation for us all, for all!
My soul shall magnify the Lord.
My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior,
For He has looked with favor
On the lowliness of his servant.
MARY: Fr From now on, all generations will call me blest.
om CHOIR: From now on, all generations will call me blest.
MARY: From now on, all generations will call me blest.
CHOIR: My soul shall magnify the Lord.
(Lights out and up on bed scene)

Bed Scene:
MARY: Those were three wonderful months. I learned so much from you.
ELIZABETH: It was a blessing having you there.
MARY: Oh! And I remember the day you and Zacharias went to have John
circumcised and named…
ELIZABETH: What a commotion!
MARY: …The day Zacharias got his voice back.
ELIZABETH: And not a moment too soon!
(Lights out on bed scene and up on Scene 3.)

Scene Three: crowd of well wishers, murmuring and laughing around Y.
ELIZABETH and ZACHARIAS who are standing in front of PRIEST in ceremonial
robes. MARY is to their side.)
WOMAN 1 1: Such a lovely child!
WOMAN 2 2: Have you noticed his eyes? They just seem to take in everything!
WOMAN 1 1: So big and healthy. And at your age Elizabeth! The Lord has been
good to you.
Y. ELIZABETH: Indeed, He has.
MAN 1: (Clapping ZACHARIAS on the back) Didn’t know you still had it in you,
Zacharias! (good natured laughter)
PRIEST: And what will you be naming your son, Elizabeth and Zacharias?
WOMAN 1 1: Oh, Zacharias, surely, after his father.
Y. ELIZABETH: His name is John.
(Crowd gives general buzz of disapproval)
OLD MAN MAN: What did she say?
MAN 1: (yelling into OLD MAN’s ear) She said his name is John!
OLD MAN: (misunderstanding) Young!? Oh, yes. He’s young.
WOMAN 1: (to Y. ELIZABETH) You can’t name him John.
Y. ELIZABETH: (indignant) But of course I can.
WOMAN 1 1: But no one in your family has that name!
WOMAN 2: (trying to understand) Elizabeth, where did you come up with the
name John?
Y. ELIZABETH: (a little embarrassed) An angel told us.
OLD MAN MAN: What did she say?
WOMAN 1: (laughing) She said an ANGEL told them!
OLD MAN MAN: What?! An angel?
CROWD: (murmuring and laughing) Absurd!, Ridiculous!, She’s crazy!, etc.
Y. ELIZABETH: (over crowd) When Zacharias was in the temple!
(Zacharias and Mary are nodding emphatically)
MAN 1: (shouting) Let’s ask Zacharias!
CROWD: Ask Zacharias!, Ask Zacharias!
PRIEST: (Holding up hand to quiet CROWD) Quiet! Quiet! We will ask the father.
(CROWD quiets down) Zacharias, tell us. What is the child’s name?
(ZACHARIAS motions writing as if to ask for a writing implement. A tablet is
passed through the crowd to ZACHARIAS who writes with chalk or coal, then holds
it up for the PRIEST to see.)
CROWD: What does it say?, What does it say?
PRIEST: (taking the tablet) His name is John.
OLD MAN MAN: What did he say?
ZACHARIAS: (perturbed, loudly) HIS NAME IS JOHN!
CROWD and OLD MAN: (in surprise, shock, amazement) He spoke!, He talked!
ZACHARIAS: Glory be to God!!
(ZACHARIAS and Y. ELIZABETH hug and CROWD cheers as music intro begins)
GLORY BE TO GOD!
Choir and All- Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God who has come down from heaven.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.
Glory be to the One who has brought us salvation
And snatched us from the hands of the Evil One.
For He has shown mercy to our fathers,
And He has remembered His holy covenant
Which He swore to Abraham, our father father,
That in holiness we might serve Him without fear.
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God who has come down from heaven.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.
Glory be to the One who has brought us salvation
And snatched us from the hands of the Evil One.
For He has brought us knowledge of salvation
By giving forgiveness for all our sins.
God has been most tender in His mercy
And will guide us in the pathway of His peace.
Glory be to the Fa Father, ther,
(Glory be to the Father)
Glory be to the Son,
(Glory be to the Son)
Glory be to the Holy Spirit,
(Glory be to the Holy Spirit)
Glory to the Three-in-One!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
Glory be to God!
OLD MAN MAN: What did he say?
(Lights out)

Bed Scene: As lights go up, ELIZABETH is having a coughing fit. MARY pours
water and helps ELIZABETH to drink some.
MARY: I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I am tiring you.
ELIZABETH: No. No, please. I have so looked forward to your coming.
MARY: But I have kept you awake too long. Here, let’s get into bed. (MARY
helps ELIZABETH into bed.)
ELIZABETH: Please, Mary. Talk with me. Tell me again about Bethlehem.
MARY: (pause) All right. If you really want me to.
Scene Four: As MARY narrates story lights slowly go up on characters as they
pantomime the story. CHRISTMAS MEDLEY is sung and played underneath.
Lights are dim on MARY as she speaks.
MARY’s NARRATION: Joseph had seen the angel, who told him why I was
pregnant. Even though he knew others could not understand, he agreed to take
me as his wife and be a father to my unborn child.
As you know, we had to go to Bethlehem to register for the census. We left
Nazareth at once. The trip, though not long, was difficult for me. I was nine
months pregnant, traveling to a new city, with no family except a brand new
husband.
Bethlehem was crowded to overflowing when we arrived. The lodging houses and
inns were full. People were taking shelter wherever they could, some even
sleeping in the streets.
Joseph tried everything. The innkeepers saw how pregnant I was, but there was
no room anywhere, at least not for us. Finally, one innkeeper agreed to let us
stay in his stable. By this time we were grateful for anything! At least we would
be sheltered at night and I would have a safe place to bear my child.
And that is where Jesus was born. Right there in the stable, with the animals to
keep us warm, I gave birth to a son. God’s son. Just as the angel had said I
would.
But while we were enjoying the moment with our new child, unbeknownst to us, all
heaven was bursting forth with excitement and wonder! A brilliant star shown in
the sky and angels were singing and praising God, shouting, “Glory! Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth peace to all men on whom His favor rests!” It was a
glorious night of Joy and Celebration!
And shepherds, who were awake in the fields heard the angels singing and were
told where to find us. They came to the stable. And they bowed down and
worshipped Jesus.
And all this I have kept in my heart and I remember as if it were yesterday.
(Y. MARY, JOSEPH, BABY JESUS and the SHEPHERDS are freeze in tableau. Music ends.)

Bed Scene:
ELIZABETH: But that isn’t all. Tell me the rest of it.
MARY: By now, you know it as well as I do!
(SHEPHERDS and the stable go dark as Y. MARY and JOSEPH move to where
SIMEON and ANNA await)

Scene Five:
MARY’s NARRATION NARRATION: At the proper time we went to Jerusalem to dedicate Jesus to
the Lord. There was a devout man there, Simeon, who was filled with the Holy
Spirit and a prophetess named Anna who recognized Jesus for who he was…
SIMEON: (taking BABY JESUS in his arms and looking to the sky) Sovereign Lord,
as You have promised, You may now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes
have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a
light for revelation to the Gentiles and a glory to Your people Israel.
ANNA: (touching BABY JESUS adoringly) Praise be to God! The Messiah has
come.
SIMEON: (giving the baby back to Y. Mary) My blessings to you. This child is
destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that
will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. (to
Y. MARY) And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
(lights out and up on bed scene)

Bed Scene:
MARY: I have always wondered what he meant by that.
ELIZABETH: God is in control. Whatever it is, you know He will be there.
MARY: Of course you are right. God’s plan is more than I can know. Look what
you have had to endure with John going to Prison.
ELIZABETH: God’s ways are not our ways. (pause) Tell me about the Magi!
MARY: Oh yes. I can’t forget them! Of course, they came a while later. (Lights
fade up on small home) We were still living in Bethlehem, in a little house. Jesus
was growing so fast!
(Lights out and up on Scene 6.)

Scene Six: Interior of small home. YOUNG MARY is playing with LITTLE JESUS.
JOSEPH is working on a wood project. They are startled as all three Magi poke
their heads in.
MAGUS 1 1: Ah! At last!
JOSEPH: May I help you?
MAGUS 2 2: We have found Him!
MAGUS 3 3: It’s about time!
JOSEPH: (Confused) I’m sorry. Who are you? (start intro)
MAGUS 1: (as all three MAGI enter) How rude of us not to introduce ourselves.
THREE WISE MEN FROM AFAR
3 MAGI: We are three wise men from afar.
Two years ago we saw a star,
Followed the sign signs and here we are,
s Three wise men from afar!
(spoken)
JOSEPH: You are most welcome. Won’t you have a seat?
MAGUS 1 1: Thank you so much.
MAGUS 2 2: You are very kind.
MAGUS 3 3: Oh, no thank you. Not after Clara.
JOSEPH: Who is Clara?
MAGUS 1 1: Clara is his camel.
MAGUS 2 2: She’s anorexic, you know.
JOSEPH: Really?
MAGUS 3 3: Oh yes. Bony. Most uncomfortable.
MAGUS 2 2: And she spits too!
(sung)
MAGUS 3: Riding on the double
O’er roads so long and bumpy.
It would have been no trouble
If camels weren’t so lumpy.
(spoken)
MAGUS 1 1: I think it would be wise if we just stood for awhile.
MAGUS 2 & 3: ( nodding to each other) Oh yes, that would be wise.
(sung)
3 MAGI: We are three magi from the east
Trav’ling the roads upon our beasts,
Seeking to find the Prince of Peace,
Three magi from the east.
(spoken)
Y. MARY: Excuse me sirs, but what is a magi?
MAGUS 2 2: That, Madam, is an excellent question.
MAGUS 3 3: Most inquisitive!
MAGUS 1 1: It shows a thirst for knowledge. And as we all know, “Knowledge is the
beginning of Wisdom”.
MAGUS 3 3: And wisdom is something we know about.
MAGUS 2 2: Oh, yes! We know all about wisdom!
(sung)
MAGUS 2: Reading books of wisdom,
The pages old and musty,
Getting rheumat rheumatism ism
And sneezing ‘cause it’s dusty!
(spoken)
MAGUS 1 1: We thought it would be wise to get out for awhile.
MAGI 2 & 3: (nodding to each other) Oh yes! That was wise.
(sung)
3 MAGI: We are three kings from Orient,
Hoping to find enlightenment,
Findi Finding the Savior, heaven-sent!
ng Kings from the Orient!
(spoken)
JOSEPH: Oh, so you are kings then.
MAGUS 3 3: But, of course!
MAGUS 2 2: Why do you think we always wear these funny hats?
MAGUS 1 1: Of course we are kings with a little “k”. Not like your baby. What is
His name, by the way?
MARY: Jesus.
MAGUS 2 2: Jeshua!
MAGUS 3: “The Lord is Salvation!”
MAGUS 1 1: A fitting name for the King of Kings.
MAGUS 2 2: And we brought Him presents, too! (MAGI 2 & 3 reach behind and pull
out presents)
MAGUS 3 3: Heavy ones.
(sung)
MAGUS 1: Packed within our bundles,
The gifts we bring the infant,
To help Him in His troubles.
So, please accept these presents.
(spoken, while presenting gifts and bowing)
MAGUS 2 2: Gold…for His deity.
MAGUS 3 3: Incense…for His purity.
MAGUS 1 1: And Myrrh…for the ultimate sacrifice He has come to make.
JOSEPH: Thank you.
(sung)
3 MAGI: We are three magi from the east
Trav’ling the roads upon our beasts,
Seeking to find the Prince of Peace Peace,
Three magi from the east.
We are three kings from Orient,
Hoping to find enlightenment,
Finding the Savior, heaven-sent!
Kings from the Orient!
We are three wise men from afar.
Two years ago we saw a star,
Followed the signs and here we are,
Here we are, here we are!
(spoken)
MAGUS 2 2: Shows just how wise we are!
(sung)
3 MAGI: We’re three wise men from afar!
(MAGI bow and lights dim as they crowd around LITTLE JESUS to admire Him and
they freeze in tableau. Lights up on bed scene.)
Bed Scene: (As MARY and ELIZABETH talk, the Magi leave and Y. MARY and
JOSEPH gather their belongings and carry them and LITTLE JESUS stealthily off to safety.)
ELIZABETH: What marvelous guests!
MARY: They were so interesting and wise, but they were not able to stay long. In
a dream, God told them of Herod’s plan to kill the new “King of the Jews”, our
little Jesus, so they went back to their homelands by a different route.
Joseph also was warned of the danger by an angel and we left as quickly as we
could, by secret in the night. We went to Egypt where we could keep Jesus safe.
ELIZABETH: Those were terrible, terrible days, Mary. Every boy-child two years
or younger was killed by Herod in his jealousy and rage. (music intro) It was
awful. Just awful.
(Lights fade out and up on Scene 7.)
Scene Seven: Lights on choir. Suggest an interpretive dance here or enactment
of soldiers taking children from parents and mourning in modern
dance/pantomime style)

ISRAEL MOURNS HER CHILDREN
CHOIR:
MEN: Hear the cries throughout the land,
Israel mourns her children.
Death is spread by Herod’s hand.
Israel mourns her children.
WOMEN: They have taken my son, oh my little one.
They have taken the child of my womb.
The Lord comfort and keep you, my little one,
‘Till I hold you again in the tomb.
ALL: Swords and soldiers on ev ev’ry side.
’ry Bringing suffering and pain.
Fathers struggle and mothers cry,
Nowhere to hide in Bethlehem now.
MEN and WOMEN repeat first verses together.
ALL: Oohs, Aah. (During narration:)
NARRATOR: When Herod realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was
furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who
were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from
the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A
voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her
children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
MEN and WOMEN sing separate choruses simultaneously
WOMEN: ‘Till I hold you again in the tomb.
MEN: Israel mourns her children.
(Lights out and up on bed scene)

Bed Scene:
MARY: So many children…
ELIZABETH: Satan will stop at nothing to interfere with God’s plans. (earnestly)
You must be prepared, Mary. He will be attacking Jesus now as his identity
becomes known.
MARY: I have thought of that. It has been so easy these years to think of Jesus
as just my son, to think life would just go on somewhat normally.
ELIZABETH: Mary, we have extraordinary sons with extraordinary destinies. John
has fulfilled his duties. His time is coming to an end.
MARY: Oh, no Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH: ( holds up hand and coughs) Yes, I know that it is. (finishes
coughing as Mary again helps her to a drink of water, then goes on) John was a
gift, a wonderful surprise in our old age. He is special. And not just because he
lives in the desert and eats bugs. (Oh yes, I know what people say.) No, John
was filled with the Holy Spirit even in my womb. He has always been aware of his
mission.
MARY: Jesus, too, has been that way. Even as a little child, I think he knew what
was expected of him.
ELIZABETH: That is what I wanted to tell you, Mary. Jesus’ time is coming.
Neither of us knows what he must do or how he must do it, but he will surely
make himself known now. What did that old man Simeon say? He will cause the
rise and fall of many in Israel, and indeed the world! Think of it Mary! God
Himself, your son! As much as you have loved him and he has loved you, his
mother, now he must concentrate on his Heavenly Father’s work.
MARY: (Standing and crossing to front of room, remembering) That’s what Jesus
said.
ELIZABETH: Oh?
MARY: He was twelve. We had celebrated the Passover in Jerusalem. When we
were on our way home we noticed he was missing. He wasn’t with the other
children.
ELIZABETH: Where was he?
MARY: That’s just it. We searched everywhere. Finally we went back to
Jerusalem. We found him still in the temple discussing the scriptures with the
teachers there.
ELIZABETH: He was only twelve?
MARY: That’s right. I was so upset! Mainly because I had been afraid for his
safety. But all he said was, “Didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house?” It
was almost a reprimand. But ever since he has behaved so well.
ELIZABETH: Mary, God chose you to be his earthly mother. Such a marvelous
blessing! Such a heavy burden! But God chose you because in His wonderful
wisdom He knew that you were the right woman, that this was the right time, the
right place to fulfill his glorious purpose. (pause) How wonderful that the mother
of our Lord should come to me.
MARY: (with her back to ELIZABETH, full of emotion) Oh Elizabeth, you are such
a comfort to me! You always understood. Really, I have no one else I can
confide in. But you have always known the responsibility I have carried.
(turning) I should have come sooner. (pause) Elizabeth? (MARY moves
cautiously across to ELIZABETH and kneels next to her bed, touches her hand,
feels for her breath, finally lays her head on ELIZABETH’s breast and whispers
with emphasis…) Oh, Elizabeth. I should have come sooner.
(MARY stays there crying quietly for awhile. There is a knock on the door,
Hannah opens it and looks in.)
HANNAH: Mary? (HANNAH sees the scene and understands) Oh, Mary.
MARY: (standing) Elizabeth has gone to our Father.
(HANNAH and MARY cross to each other and hug)
HANNAH: I’ll go tell the others.
MARY: Thank you, Hannah.
(HANNAH leaves and MARY goes to ELIZABETH, straightens her bed covers and
sits in chair holding ELIZABETH’s hand)
MARY: (to ELIZABETH) What am I going to do without you Elizabeth? Who else is
there to understand?
(Lights stay up on bed scene for awhile during song and then very slowly fade
out and up on choir as MARY moves that direction for second half of song.)
I’ll TRUST IN YOU
MARY: Lord, there are so many questions in my mind
That I must take the time to ask a few of You.
Why do You choose to use the lowest of the low
And the gentlest of the gentle in a world out of control?
And why do You let this world continue to exist
When every time You reach for us we pull back and resist,
And every time your prophets come to turn us from our sins
Your people try to kill them and turn from You again?
But, in all of my questioning I hear You whispering,
“I am God and I will see you through.”
So if the answers are uncl unclear I can ear go on knowing You’re near.
All that I need is to trust in You.
And Lord, I don’t see how You could use someone like me
To bring Your child into this world to set Your people free.
Perhaps the gr greatest mystery I try to understand
eatest Is how this child You sent to us can be my son-and yet my
Savior.
But, in all of my questioning I hear You whispering,
“I am God and I will see you through.”
So if the ans answers are unclear I can wers go on knowing You’re near.
All that I need is to trust in You.
When the story is told of the things we have done,
The lives we have led and the songs we have sung,
May it never be said that we turned from the truth truth,
But al always our lives were reflections of ways You!
And to anyone listening You will be whispering,
“I am God and I will see You through!”
And so if the answers are unclear I can go on, knowing You’re
Near!
All that I need is to trust in You!
Al All that I need is to trust in l You!
I’ll trust in You!
(Lights out)
..................................

This musical is available through
GoldenMusicAndDrama.org
For music and permission to perform please
contact the author at johnsr1124@comcast.net
May God Bless Your Ministry.