First Gift

Susan Bushi: smbushi@yahoo.com (Pl contact me for any issues on this play)

Roles and Actors

Mathias, the Pharisee : Shilpa

Justus, the slave : Sharon

Lydia, the slave’s Wife : Vaishali

Joseph : Prateek

Mary : Prerana

Inn Keeper : Anish

Shepherds : Philip, Danny

Angels : Divya, Sarah, Hannah, Carman, Sumedha

Wise men : Stephen. Teja, Chris

Scene1

Mathias: I can’t wait for the day! Caesar Augustus has declared the census. There will be so many people in Bethlehem. That means lot of business, lot of money!..

Justus, Justus, Did you hear me? Come here right now. You got to make everything ready for our travel. All the bails on the donkey! Lydia will go with us too. The load might be too much for the donkey. So she can carry some of it along with you. Don’t eat food the previous night lest you may fall asleep.

Justus: Yes, my Lord. Are we going tomorrow my master?

Mathias: You fool! Don’t’ you know that I am a great worshipper of God! Follow the Word to the stroke? How can we travel on a Sabbath day? By the way, no sleep for you and Lydia the next two days. Make sure that all the weaving is complete. Oh! I might be the one giving the maximum tithes at the temple of Jerusalem this time…

(Mathias walks out)

Justus: I can’t believe this! Lydia is pregnant. How can she carry load? How can she walk all the way without food. My master knows that she is pregnant..

(Lydia enters)

Lydia: You seem to be in a deep thought Justus! Is there something troubling you?

Justus: Yes, my dear. Our master wants you to travel to Bethlehem. He knows that you are pregnant. But he wants you to carry the load.

Lydia: Justus, that’s an answer to my prayer! I have woven this precious cloth out of the remains of yarn in the nights, so that we could give it as an offering to our God. I am sure our master will take us to the Great temple of Jerusalem. Though I can’t enter, you could give this there. Don’t worry about the travel. Our Good Lord and your faith will see us through.

Scene2

Joseph: Mary, we will have to travel to Bethlehem, the town of David to register ourselves in the census. I will make ready the donkey. Will you be able to travel?

Mary: I know that God has promised me His Son, the Savior of the World. I draw strength from Him. I remember the times I felt so afraid and lonely when you decided to divorce me. But God reassured me and through the dream you had, you knew God’s plan and accepted me. I remember people mocking at me because I am bearing a son, though I am a Virgin .. But God gave me strength in that too.

Joseph: Mary, the Son whom you are bearing is called ‘Emmanuel’ meaning God with us.

Mary: Yes Joseph. God is with us. I know the travel will be very rough for me. We don’t have enough money to have a stay in Bethlehem. But our God will provide. I have reminded myself these promises from God through the Angel of the Lord..

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. His Kingdom will never end.”

Joseph and Mary: So be it Lord!

Scene 3:

Justus: We have walked a long way Lydia. Do you want to take rest? Can I give you some water to drink?

Mathias: Hurry up, you lazy ones. We are nearing the town. Haven’t you seen all the Inns having boards that there is no place. We have to quickly get into that inn over there. Quick!

Inn Keeper: Yes, Its 4 Dinari for the night.

Joseph: But what I have is only 6 Dinari and I have to feed my wife and myself. She is full of months, and we are in need of a place tonight. Can you please give that place to us sir, may be for 3 Dinari.

IK: No, It’s the last Price, you have to make you decision.

Mary: Joseph, it may not possible for us to wait any longer. We need a place tonight.

Joseph: I’ll go for it ..

(Mathias and his group enter)

Mathias: I can give you double that amount. Give me that place.

IK: But.., mmm twice the price….

Joseph: Excuse me sir. It’s not lawful to take the place. He has given me the word to give me.

M: Law… and you are teaching me the law! I am Pharisees of Pharisees. How dare you teach me the law. As long as the money doesn’t change hands, the deal is not done.

(Turning to the IK)

Here is the money, give the place.

IK: The place is yours my Lord. You can have your salves and animals in the cattle shed.

(M and IK walks away)

Joseph: But … Oh my dear Lord. You are my helper in times of trouble. Mary needs a place right now. Help, me dear Lord..

Lydia: Justus, can we give our place to this lady who is in pains?

Justus: But Lydia, its cold tonight. How can we stay out? It’s not too safe for you too. But of course they are in need.

(Turns to Joseph and Mary)

Sir, you and your wife can have room in the manger, where we can stay tonight. That will give place for the mother and the newborn in this cold night.

Joseph: May God bless you and may His light shine upon you.

(Joseph and Mary walk in, Lydia and Justus sit down)

Scene 4

Song(silent night)

Joseph: Oh the Child is born. He is the promised one. But we have no cloth to wrap him in.

Lydia: I have one. You can have it. Here it is.

(Takes the cloth and gives it to Joseph)

Justus: My wife kept it as an offering in the temple. But what could be more useful than covering a new Born Baby from the cold.

Joseph: God bless you both! You are giving the First gift to this child. This child is no ordinary child.

(Joseph leaves)

Lydia: I feel a special warmth. I don’t feel cold at all.

Justus: Look Lydia, that star.. I have never seen such a bright star in my life. Not only the warmth, there is a special peace and joy in my heart.

(Shepherds enter)

Shepherds: We came to see the Baby Jesus. The angels told us the good tidings of great joy.

Scene 5 (Mangers Scene)

Justus and Lydia: Come Lets all go and see Him.

Song: We three kings.

Wiseman: We have come from the East to worship the king. Here is what we brought for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Gold

Myrrh

Frankincense.

Inn Keeper: My Inn has become special place tonight because of this baby. I did not invite him into my inn, not gave him a place worthy of this child, but me and my household will give our heart and life to this Baby Jesus as our gift. How about you?