Characters
Mary, Wife of Joseph
Elizabeth, Wife of Zachariah
Joseph of the House of David
Benjamin of Levi, friend of Joseph
Scripture Reader
Notes for the PlayBill
By the time Jesus was born, the Romans had developed a fairly good postal system. Excellent for that time, indeed. It didn’t take months for letters to reach people in the same country. But it took a lot longer than we’re used to waiting.
Letter writing had a specific form by then, though. We have many examples of letters written during that period. At the beginning of the letter, we are told who it is for, and who it is from. Then they didn’t have to sign it at the bottom. Still, occasionally, they did sign them as we do. (Paul notes in one of his letters… see I’m writing the part in my own hand.)
We still write letters. Sometime we don’t even mail them. But it makes us feel better, and clarifies things in our own mind, to write them. So, engage your imagination and pretend you are reading the letters of the primary participants in the events so long ago when Jesus Christ, the son of God and man came to earth as a baby.
Benjamin the Levite is not a real historical person. Don’t go looking for him in Biblical literature.
Notes to Director
In contrast to the formal play as described in the intro material, you can have five chairs on the platform in a semi-circle with sufficient microphone coverage if needed. You could also have the four letter readers grouped in a conversational group with the scripture reader to the side.
I directed this twice, once as a strict readers’ play and the second time three or four very shy kids acted out the action with stick puppets (we made in children’s church). We also have hung a sheet and put a heavy duty light behind it. People in costumes do a freeze frame of the scene behind the sheet, and create a shadow box effect. The light is turned off when the scripture is being read and the scene changes. When the letter reading starts, turn the light back on to display the next scene.
I didn’t include all the scripture in some of these, as any version will do in plays.
Script
SCRIPTURE READER: Luke 1:5-13
Elizabeth:
To my cousin, Mary betrothed to Joseph of the House of David from Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah of the tribe of Levi.
Praise be to God our Father who is the creator of all good things!
The Lord has answered my longing and petition. But I get ahead of myself.
The last rotation of Zachariah’s priestly duties, the lot fell to him to burn the incense. He went in, and long after the assembled worshipers finished their prayers, he hadn’t come out.
It seems, from what he has written me, Gabriel himself appeared by the altar and told him remarkable things about the son we are to have. There is much to tell you.
But, since, Zachariah could not believe we could have a child at our age, the angel told him he would not be able to speak until the child was born and we went to name him.
The people had begun to worry about Zachariah and when he came out he didn’t have to write down that he had a vision. They knew!
(pause)
Well, I am with child. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I am no longer poor, childless Elizabeth.
But Zachariah remains unable to speak. In the middle of our great joy, God is reminding us to believe.
Please come to visit me.
I don’t even dare write those things said to Zachariah about who our son will be and what he is to do.
May the Lord God of all bless and keep you.
MARY:
To Elizabeth, spouse of Zachariah of the tribe of Levi. From Mary, betrothed to Jospeh of the House of David.
My heart sings for your blessing.
May your life be filled with the joy of the Lord’s promise fulfilled.
Give your husband my joy for him, and share with him encouragement in his silence. Encourage him because my faith has been made stronger because of his encounter with the Angel Gabriel. All people with whom I have shared the story of the visit and your child are greatly blessed by it. Thanks be to God.
Plans for my marriage go forward. We have already entered the time of betrothal, forsaking all others. My devotion to Joseph, and his devotion to me are second only to each of our devotion to the Lord God of our fathers.
My parents wish to see your family as I do. Perhaps I can come before the final ceremony and I take up my life in a new household. Certainly, I could not come immediately after being with Joseph. People would wonder what was wrong. “Poor Joseph,” they would say. I could not bear that. He is so kind and mindful of me.
We hear rumors of a census. Have you any information?
I will do my best to come.
May the God of our Fathers bless and keep you until we meet face to face.
SCRIPTURE READER:
Luke 1:5-13
JOSEPH:
To Benjamin of the tribe of Levi. From your friend Joseph of the House of David.
Greetings, and may the name of God be praised.
As many things are happening, I realized I have not seen you since last Passover in Jerusalem. When next I come to Jerusalem for Passover, I will bring my now betrothed wife, Mary. She is a devout woman, admired by all for her calm, peaceful spirit. We are devoted to each other, having forsaken even thoughts of others even before betrothal. I know it is not always this way when men do not honor the one their parents arrange for them. But Mary blesses the community with her quiet humor, helpfulness and devotion to God. She loves to laugh. I am still younger than you - if I need remind you - and she younger than I. Yet she will be a good wife and good companion.
(pause)
A Levite named Zachariah is married to my betrothed’s cousin named Elizabeth. They are of some age and childless. It seems as he was attending to his priestly duties, an angel appeared and announced they were to have a child. It is so far beyond belief, the angel had to strike him dumb before Zachariah could believe it! The poor man still cannot speak, and Elizabeth is with child. Four months along the way. They have to sign to him and write. Thank God he is an educated priest among educated people. Is not our God surprising?
I must go to bed. I am so busy I cannot keep up with carpentry right now.
A traveler stopped by where I was repairing a nobleman’s house and they spoke of the king wanting to count all the people in the land. How would he do that? Have you heard anything?
May the God of all Bless and keep you. May you see His face as He passes by.
READER:
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:16-20 and Luke 1:26-38
MARY:
To Joseph, my betrothed. From Mary, both of the House of David.
The things of which I write are best spoken. But when the time comes, I must be clear of what I wish to say. I may not release this letter if we have sufficiently and freely spoken of these things.
While following my habit of meditation and worship last week, I was startled by the sudden appearance of a heavenly being. It took my breath away! My first thought was the safety of my cousin and her unborn child. Was I to know something about her son?
All at once he spoke, calling me favored, and soothing my fear, even before I said anything. Well, even the priest Zachariah was frightened by the Angel.
But I couldn’t believe what he was telling me! God will give me a child?
Joseph, we have not been together, and I have not been with anyone else. I have forsaken even the thought of anyone else since before we were betrothed.
The angel stated the Holy Spirit would come upon me, and give me a child. I was convinced.
But how can it be? How did it become?
I am with child.
I believe.
I will do as Our Lord has said.
My hope is for you to come to understanding and acceptance.
I will go to be with my cousin Elizabeth for a while.
May God be with you, and give you faith and understanding.
JOSEPH:
To my friend, Benjamin of Levi. From Joseph of the House of David.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Even as I bless the name of the Lord, I am troubled.
In the midst of the betrothal celebration, I have learned my betrothed wife is with child.
We have not been together. She vows she has not been with any man. She tells of a visit from an angel. Do you remember my letter about the Angel who visited her cousin’s husband? Well, they are definitely with child, and they are way beyond normal age for children.
Who am I to doubt? But what do I do?
Shall I marry her? If I don’t, I cannot bear to imagine what will become of her. I am deeply disturbed. I love her, but my family has always followed the laws. I am worried about our life together.
Even as I write, I make my decision. I am of a mind to send her to family for the rest of our betrothal. I have an uncle who lives at the utmost northern part of the tribe’s territory, which is two days journey away. After the child has arrived, I believe I will again consider concluding the betrothal ceremonies.
I believe Mary, but I do not know how to deal with what has happened. Speak to God about my lack of wisdom. May He give my courage and understanding.
We still hear rumors about a census. You are closer to the palace. What do you hear?
May the God of our Fathers be with us all.
MARY:
To Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah the Levite, my cousin from Mary, wife of Joseph of the house of David.
Praise be to God who gives all strength and wisdom
In the joy of the child, I worry. Even though, like all young women in our tradition, I dreamed of being the mother of the Messiah, I find much distress. Is this what it was to be like? To find one with child before the completion of the marriage period? My teaching did not lead one to expect this. I never really understood or thought the prophecy about the virgin bringing forth a son included this.
I worry about Joseph. He affirms his love for me, Yet, I can see he is concerned about our lives with our families.
When I enter my times of meditation and prayer, I find wonderful comfort, submission, and calm. I give the worries to God, my Father. Somehow, He will help Joseph understand.
It is a great blessing God has sent into my life. He will give, and has given me grace for all things.
I am, above all, God’s servant. God will provide. Remember me in your prayers. Pray for Joseph, my betrothed.
I begin preparations today to come to you. I am sending the messenger today, and will arrive three days behind it, if our God allows.
May the God of all glory and life be with you, your husband and your child.
JOSEPH:
To Benjamin of Levi, my friend. From Joseph of the House of David.
Praise be to God, who is in control of all things and knows our most private thoughts and feelings.
I know it has not been but a matter of days since I wrote you. Things change quickly when God steps in. I must tell you of the resolution of the worry I last wrote to you of.
While I slept soundly, an angel appeared. He assured me Mary had been faithful, and the child is indeed of God’s Spirit. God is the child’s father. I will be the child’s father on earth.
I had all the arrangements made. Mary had agreed. But God changed my mind. The betrothal period is back on schedule. Mary is pleased. Instead of going to my family in shame, she is joyfully on her way to visit her cousin, Elizabeth until the ceremony concluding the betrothed time.
Please come to the ceremony. I will send the exact time and date. But now, I send this with a messenger waiting to start the journey to deliver it as soon as I finish.
May the grace of the God who is above all be with you.
SCRIPTURE READER: Luke 1:39-56
ELIZABETH:
To my cousin, Mary, wife of Joseph the Carpenter of the House of David, from Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah of Levi.
I cannot express what having you with me for the preparation for the final weeks of my pregnancy meant to me. I still ponder the words to me as you stood in front of me. You song caused the child in me to leap with joy as he heard them!
Beautiful, wonderful words of praise. I have had them written down.
We are both blessed, but the child you carry will bring the God of our Father to all people. I wonder what my son will do to prepare the way for yours. We will see, and spend many hours of his childhood in constant prayer. I suspect you and Joseph will do the same.
When we took our son to be named, the rabbi assumed he was to be named after his father since Zachariah could not speak. They wouldn’t listen to me, insisting John is not a family name. I insisted myself, and when they made signs to Zachariah, he wrote “his name is John.”
Immediately my husband could speak! In joyful speech, he prophesied of John’s role of preparing the way for your son!
What a destiny for my son to have! We will teach him and prepare him the best we can.
Remember these things as you raise your son.
May the God of our past and future be with us all.
SCRIPTURE READER: LUKE 2:1-5
MARY:
To Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah the Levite from your cousin, Mary, wife of Joseph the carpenter of the House of David.
I received your letter, and realize I have begun putting things in order: the angels’ visits and miracle of birth. I have to believe. I do not understand. But I believe.
The call for the census we have been hearing about has come. Have you received word yet? I am assuming by the time you get this, we will be on our way to Bethlehem. I am glad you do not have to travel with your young son.
We are concerned about travel as I am so close to the birth. But we have no choice. God will provide strength.
We will leave as soon as Joseph can finish the crucial repairs on the temple he is working on. He simply refuses to leave it to ruin because he did not take time to finish the roof.
Joseph has very little close family left in Bethlehem and the family home will be filled with many more important people than us. If Joseph’s family has heard of his actions s toward me, he may not be welcome there anyway.
I pray for the right place to stay.
I must quit to continue preparations. Pray for our safety.
May the God of our Fathers watch over and bless us all.
JOSEPH:
To my friend Benjamin of Levi from Joseph of the House of David.
Peace to you and your family in the disturbing time, and praises to God.
I am sure you are as distressed as I over the census Caesar Augustus has called for. We are forced to travel to Bethlehem. What would Caesar care that my wife might deliver a baby even as we travel?. May God forbid. We will just have to trust.
I must finish a roof on the synagogue in the next village before we can leave. I will not leave the house of the Lord unprotected by my impatience to follow Caesar’s whims.
I know you have an agent who comes to Nazareth to take care of business here. If we are delayed, would you have him make sure our home here is secure? I do not know what would delay us – or where your agent has to go to register – but this child is so unusual, I cannot predict what is to come.
Thank you for considering my request.
May the God of our Fathers bountifully bless you and guide us all as we go through the registration time.
SCRIPTURE READER: Luke 2:6-20
MARY:
To my cousin Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah the Levite, from Mary, wife of Joseph the Carpenter of the House of David.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Today we moved into a house from a stable. The census is nearly over. A family member who married into the house of Dan and works with his father-in-lay has returned home. We were able to get the house before the family rented it again. Joseph has already begun getting work as his reputation as a carpenter preceded him.
God is so good. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
The village was full by the time we arrived. Inn after inn turned us away. God spared me delivery while we traveled, but even God will not stop a child’s arrival forever.
Just when I was coming to despair, the innkeeper Joseph was talking to suddenly offered the stable, promising clean hay and an empty manger. I only had the strength to say his name, but Joseph got the message.
The pain of childbirth was already full blown. Joseph managed a soft hay bed for me before the child decided to arrive. I could hear Joseph tearing one of my garments to make swaddling clothes as I waited breathlessly between pains. It seems that’s all he could do as the innkeeper’s wife helped me.
I was asleep and the child also sleeping comfortably in the swaddling when the extra ordinary, yet ordinary people arrived.
Shepherds came telling of most wonderful things about angels. They described the sky being filled with them... you can imagine how the shepherds felt!
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all men who please God!”
They found us because the angel described the stable and even the swaddling in which we wrapped our baby. They came to see. They believed, and worshiped Jesus as the savior of the world!
It was an unforgettable night. Even as we move into the house, our son’s fame grows. It seems the shepherds have told everyone they come into contact with about the angels.
God is good. Joseph has all the work he can handle and we have settled in temporarily.
May the God of our Fathers Bless you and your family. May you all be well.
JOSEPH:
To Benjamin of Levi from Joseph of the House of David.
Praise be to the God whose wonders and signs have amazed us all.
My friend,
It seems we go from nothing to everything. We could only find a stable to stay in the first few nights of our son’s life. But shepherds came to the stable the night he was born. Seems angels visited them too. God’s work never ceases to amaze me.
We will stay here as the many people the shepherds have told about the angels’ visit come to encounter our son for themselves. I have work – for now it is enough, and we have now found a house.
Thank you for sending your agent to our home in Nazareth. If he could look in when he is there, it would be appreciated. It may be some time.
Mary has taken all this in quietness. I spend much time in meditation and prayer. God is helping me understand. I will raise our son in the highest tradition and customs of our people. He will receive the best education possible. This I can do for him. Only god can provide understanding and wisdom for whatever else is to come.
I hope all is well with you.
May the Lord remain faithful to us all.
SCRIPTURE READER: Luke 2:21-38
ELIZABETH:
To my cousin Mary, wife of Joseph the Carpenter of the House of David, Mother of Jesus. From Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah the Levite, mother of the child named John.
Praise be to our Lord!
Your description of the two people you met in the temple when you presented your son for circumcision and naming moved me greatly.
I can just see Simeon lifting the baby into the air, blessing the baby and declaring God has once again kept His promise! I wonder how many years ago God first gave him that promise.
And Anna!
I believe I know their feeling of peace and gratitude to God as He fulfilled a longing.
These two give us more to think about. They and their words are more confirmations of who Jesus is and will become. May God give you and Joseph courage and wisdom to raise Jesus as you know is best.
We ask the same for our efforts to raise John.
When you return from Bethlehem, come and see us. John and Jesus should know each other well. Their lives will be intertwined.
Do not let it all overcome you. God will always be with us all.
May God’s faithfulness bless us all.
SCRIPTURE READER : Matthew 2:1-15
MARY:
To my cousin Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah the Levite and mother of the child named John. From Mary, wife of Joseph the Carpenter of the House of David, mother of the child named Jesus.
There is not much time, so allow me to quickly let you know of the remarkable people who came to see our son.
Joseph does not have to be anywhere long before he finds work to keep busy and supply his family’s needs. Yesterday, it was God’s providence that I knew where he was, because in the middle of the day a group of majestic men came to the house. Fortunately a neighbor had stopped by and I quickly asked her to send someone to get Joseph.
I gathered Jesus behind me, but as they spoke, I suddenly was no longer frightened.
“The star stopped here,” one said.
“Where is the king?” another asked.
Then a third one explained they study the stars and have been following a new star from the time it first appeared in their sky. They dated it’s appearance back to the very night our Jesus was born!
Joseph and I both have watched the star and wondered if it was just us. We always thought it was brighter than the others. Joseph arrived and listened to the visitors. He took Jesus into his arms and explained these people had come to see him. Jesus, my son … His reaction was part child, part understanding. I do not know what he understood, but when they knelt and presented precious gifts, he suddenly stood very quietly.
A king! They called him a king.
Joseph stayed with me all day. Finally we settled into sleep, but it seemed just a few minutes until Joseph shook me awake.
“Mary!” he cried. “We have to go. Our son is in great danger!”
I stared at him, hoping I was dreaming. But I was not. “How did you know?” I demanded.
“The angel of the Lord said Herod will seek the child who the Magi called the King of the Jews.”
Elizabeth, the angel is the reason I believed. The angel is the reason you husband consented to name your son John, and the angel is the reason Joseph put aside customs and married me. How can I disbelieve now?
So, we shall go.
Joseph is putting our belongings on the donkey as I finish. I will find a messenger to return the letter to you while we travel. There is always someone coming this way. Here Joseph comes.
“Get Jesus. We must go before day breaks.”
We follow the angel’s words. God be with us all.
JOSEPH:
To Benjamin of Levi from Joseph of the House of David.
Peace be with you.
I will write a few lines to tell you why we did not return from the census journey.
Quite remarkably, one day several months ago, Mary sent for me in the middle of the day.
It seems some magi came from the east, following the star that suddenly appeared at the birth of our son, Jesus. They came, asking where to find the new king of the Jews. King Herod did not like that.
They Magi found us and presented Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Very valuable. They worshiped our son!
In the night after they left an angel appeared to me in a dream and warned me to hurry away because King Herod would be looking to kill this new King of the Jews.
Mary obeyed, whether or not she believed.
We have been here in Egypt since the second phase of the moon. It was a long journey.
I am applying my trade, and will continue to do so wherever we go. Soon I will begin teaching my son – king or not king.
God will tell us when it is safe to return. Meanwhile, may the God of our Father who has faithfully guided us through this all, bless and keep you as He has us.
Your faithful servant. Joseph
……………………….
© Jo Bower, all rights reserved.
This script may be performed free of royalty for non-profit use. If you do use it, please tell the author, at