SCENE 1

(ANGELS enter from either side of stage)

ANGEL 1: (in a loud, melodic voice) Do not be afraid, the Lord has come!

ANGEL 2: (as ANGEL 1) He has come to fulfill the ancient prophecy!

(ANGELS exit)

(MARY and JOSEPH enter center-stage. A donkey is visible. JOSEPH is walking alongside MARY, supporting her)

JOSEPH: Are you feeling okay, Mary?

MARY: (weakly) I’ll be alright, Joseph. We must go to Bethlehem, soon; it will be here where the savior will be born.

JOSEPH: Yes, I know. Let’s go.

(MARY and JOSEPH exit)

SCENE 2

(MARY and JOSEPH enter from one side of the stage. They are in a stable. A MANGER is visible)

MARY: Joseph, look! I can feel the baby coming!

JOSEPH: Don’t worry, Mary. The Lord is with us. (takes a deep breath) Here! We can put the child in this manger!

MARY: Alright then. Go and find some cloth, we will need something to wrap Jesus in.

(JOSEPH exits; MARY kneels, cradling baby Jesus)

MARY: (softly) My son, you are the Messiah, the one who was prophesied to come.

(ANGELS enter and kneel near the MANGER. They look up in awe)

ANGEL 1: (in a loud, melodic voice) Glory to God! He has come!

ANGEL 2: (in a loud, melodic voice) Rejoice! The Lord is here!

(ANGELS stand and exit)

SCENE 3

(SHEPHERDS enter from either side of the stage. They kneel around the manger, marveling at baby Jesus)

SHEPHERD 1: He is beautiful!

SHEPHERD 2: A miracle!

SHEPHERD 3: We must tell everyone!

(SHEPHERDS exit)

(MARY and JOSEPH are kneeling by the manger, Jesus between them. They nod and kiss Jesus gently)

JOSEPH: My son, you are ours, but also the world’s. You will be the light that will shine in the darkness.

MARY: May you be a symbol of hope, my little one.

(ANGELS re-enter, singing melodically)

ANGEL 1: (singing) Praise the Lord, the Messiah is come!

ANGEL 2: (singing) Peace, love and joy!

(The ANGELS exit, leaving MARY and JOSEPH cradling Jesus in the MANGER, smiling)