Worship

The Birth of Love
Mary Whittles
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, Columbia, MD

This play was written in an attempt to capture more than the usual meaning of the birth of Jesus. The idea is to take from the events of his birth loving lessons that adults and children might apply to their current lives. What is underscored is: responding to one another from "the deepest, most loving part of yourself," seeing beauty and love in your work and allowing your authentic self to shine, through your innate talents. This is not just another Christmas play about Jesus' birth. It's about Love.

SETTING

This play takes place in both the present time as well as at the time of Jesus' birth. The scenes alternate between the modern and the ancient, which makes an interesting dynamic.

STAGING

You will need 3 stage areas, one for all the modern scenes and players, one for the ancient scenes and one for the manger scene. This is not too difficult to accomplish with a little creativity. I have enclosed a copy of how our congregation did it. You may find it helpful.

PROPS

The props are relatively simple. They include:

• Book - held on the lap of the Mother entitled, "The Birth of Love."
• No Vacancy Sign
• Rocking Chair
• Christmas Tree
• Baby Doll

CAST

Speaking Parts
Narrator
Mother
Older Child
Younger Child
Mary
Joseph
Innkeeper # 1
Innkeeper # 2 Shepherd # 1 - "Simon"
Shepherd # 2 - "Danielle"
Shepherd # 3
Shepherd # 4
Wisewoman # 1
Wisewoman # 2
Wisewoman # 3
Wisewoman # 4
Angel # 1
Angel # 2
Angel # 3

Non-Speaking Parts
Mary's Angel
Music Angel - (a critical role)
Wisewomen Angels (optional)
Sheep (as many as desired)
Camels (3)

Adjustments can be easily made to the script to accommodate fewer players. For example, the speaking shepherd's parts can be easily condensed down to two parts instead of four. This applies to the speaking angels as well. Wisewomen can be wisemen. I was not trying to make a point here. "Women" were what we had.

The Narrator's part is a modified quote from the "Presbyterian Outlook" by Donald McEdmond.

Timing - This play runs between 20 to 30 minutes, including the time for the hymns.

(Lights dim in sanctuary, except for those spotlighting ancient stage. Narrator enters ancient stage)

Narrator: When God wants an important thing done in the world, He or She goes about it in a very singular way. God doesn't release thunderbolts or stir up earthquakes. God simply has a tiny baby born, perhaps of a very humble home, of a very humble mother. And God puts the idea or purpose into the mother's heart. And she puts it in the baby's heart. And then...God waits.

SCENE 1

(Lights dim on ancient stage area and go up on modern stage area. Mother comes from the audience, pauses to look through a stack of books sitting on stage. She selects "The Birth of Love," (what else?) makes her way to the rocking chair, sits down and begins to read. A door slams, (we had the lighting people do this) and Older Child runs down the aisle calling "Mom!" Older Child goes up on modern stage.)

Older Child: Mom, I was building this really cool space shuttle, you know, the lego thing I got last Christmas and (name of child) came in and tore it down!

Mother: Well, let's just go smack (name of child) around a little and maybe he will learn to leave your stuff alone.

Older Child: Mooooooom.

(Younger Child comes from audience and tiptoes, making shhhh... motion with hand for audience not to give him away. He hides himself behind the Christmas tree, eavesdropping.)

Mother: Look, I know you're mad and frustrated. You probably spent a lot of time building that shuttle. (Child nods.) But I bet there's a reason why he would do something like that.

Older Child: Maybe he's just mean.

(Younger Child, still eavesdropping, looks astonished at audience.)

Mother: Do you really think so?

Older Child: (hesitates) No, not really. (another pause) Maybe it's because I told him to go away when he started trying to build too.

Mother: Um... Maybe. Sometimes it's hard to remember to respond from that deepest, most loving part of yourself.

Older Child: But I really didn't want to share this time Mom.

Mother: (laughing or smiling) Then I bet you could have found a loving way of telling him that.

Older Child: Um... Maybe.

Mother: Well, we are all just practicing and learning. Even some of the greatest teachers of love blew it on occasion. (pauses) As a matter of fact, I was just reading about one of those great teachers.

(Younger Child enters the stage proper. The children give each other a dirty look.)

Mother (still talking): Hi (name of child). Sit down if you like. I was just about to read a story about the birth of one of the great teachers of love.

Older Child: You were?

Mother: Yep.

Younger Child: Oh no, it's not the same old story about Jesus' birth, is it?

Mother: Of course it is. But you are older now...

Younger Child: (said a bit sarcastically) Yeah, a whole year older.

Mother: Yes, a whole year older, and if you listen with those older, wiser ears, perhaps you will hear it differently.

Younger Child: (sighs) O.K. (pauses) It starts out with that decree thing, right?

Mother: Yes, exactly. (Mother opens the book "The Birth of Love" on her lap and reads) "And so it came to pass that a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus..."

(Lights dim on modern stage and go up on ancient stage)

SCENE 2

(Mary's angel, Mary and Joseph get up from audience and begin walking toward the ancient stage. They may do the first part of the dialogue while they walk.)

Mary: It's getting dark Joseph and we're both so tired. I do hope we find a place to stop soon.

Joseph: Yes, me too.

Mary: How many inns have we tried already?

Joseph: I've lost count, Mary.

Mary: Perhaps this will be the one.

(Joseph knocks on first Innkeeper's door where the "No Vacancy" sign has been posted)

Innkeeper #1: I'm surprised to hear anyone knocking at my door. Didn't you see the no vacancy sign posted out front? It's in plain view!

Joseph: Yes, we saw it, but we were hoping that you might have a small space somewhere in the house.

Innkeeper #1: Well, I can't exactly stretch the house now, can I? No vacancy means no room. Good night! (First Innkeeper closes the "door.")

Joseph: Well, our friend must be having...

Mary and Joseph together: a bad day. (They smile or laugh and move on to the next "door." Joseph knocks.)

Innkeeper #2: I'm surprised to hear anyone knocking at my door. Didn't you see the no vacancy sign posted out front? It's in plain view! (pauses) Just kidding.

Joseph: (laughing) So you heard the other Innkeeper.

Innkeeper #2: Yes. I'm sure that most of the village heard him. Listen, friends, (puts hand on Joseph's shoulder), we have no room, but I will gladly offer you the use of the stable. I know it's not much. Still, you will be warm and dry. I can also offer a warm meal.

(Joseph glances at Mary and Mary nods)

Joseph: We greatly appreciate your gentle kindness.

Mary: Yes, thank you very much, friend.

(The Music Angel is the inspiration for the musicians who will be playing the hymns. Although they act unaware of her presence, she inspires them to play. Here, she gets up and dances over toward the piano or organ and directs like a conductor. The congregation sings the first verse of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" #246. Meanwhile, Mary and Joseph make their way to the manger and settle in. Having Joseph help Mary sit the way a very pregnant woman would, makes for authentic drama. The Innkeepers go behind doors and return to their seats when the lights dim on this scene. Dim lights when song is finished.)

SCENE 3

(Lights go up on modern day scene with Mother and children.)

Older Child: Gosh, that first Innkeeper really blew it.

Younger Child: Yeah, well, he was probably just having...

Older and Younger Child together: a bad day. (They giggle)

Mother: Yes, that's exactly what Mary and Joseph thought. Not a bad way of dealing with a situation where someone tells you to go away. (Long pause and the kids look at each other) What else did your wise ears hear?

Older Child: I know what you're fishing for, Mom. It's about the kindness that the second Innkeeper showed.

Mother: You guessed right.

Younger Child: Yeah, he was responding from the deepest, most loving part of himself.

(Older Child looks at Younger Child with amazement and disbelief)

Older Child: Where did you get that from?

Younger Child: Around. (looks at Mom and winks.)

Mother: Shall we get back to the story now? (children nod) O.K., let's see. Where were we? (scans the book with finger) Oh yes, the shepherds.

(Dim lights on modern stage, up lights on ancient stage.)

SCENE 4

(Shepherd #1, 3, 4 enter and lay back on the floor, looking up at the sky)

Shepherd #1 - Simon: Oh yeah. This is the life-calm, peaceful days wandering the fields with our sheep--quiet nights under the stars. (sighs)

Shepherd #3 - Yeah, I love watching the stars after a long day.

Shepherd #4 - And listening to the sheep bleating.

Shepherd #2 - Danielle: (running forward from audience) Simon, Simon, please, have you seen Wooly?

Simon: The smallest lamb of your flock? The one with the dark patch right between his eyes?

Danielle: Yes, that's him. I haven't been able to find him for a few hours and I'm afraid he might have fallen over the ravine!

Simon: No Danielle, I haven't seen him.

Danielle: How about you guys?

Shepherd #3: I haven't seen him.

Shepherd #4: Me either.

Simon: But we'll help you look, won't we? (Turns to the others. They nod. Turns back to Danielle) I don't think we need to worry much about his safety. He's way too smart to fall in the ravine.

(As they begin to search, angels enter)

Angel #3: Danielle and Simon. Don't be afraid. We have come to bring you great news!

Angel #1: Yes. A child has been born who will grow to become one of the greatest teachers of love.

Angel #2: You may go and welcome him into this world. The star will guide you to the stable where he is born.

(Shepherds start to walk away.)

Angel #3: And Danielle?

Danielle: Yes?

Angel #3: Your lamb is safe. You will find him at the stable with the child.

Danielle: Thank you. We are on our way.

(Angels exit and the shepherds walk toward the manger.)

Simon: See, I told you he was a smart lamb. He's already there!

(Music Angel begins directing again, prompting the musicians to play. While they play The First Nowell #237 and the congregation sings, the Music Angel dances around the open floor. As the shepherds walk toward the manger scene, Danielle spots Wooly and hugs him warmly. Lights dim on ancient scenes.)

SCENE 5

(Lights up on modern day scene)

Older Child: Mom?

Mother: Yes?

Older Child: Do you think that angels really exist?

Mother: Well, some people believe...

Younger Child: (interrupting) Oh, quit being such a UU Mom and tell us what you think. (This gets a real laugh from the audience. Wait until it stops to continue.)

Mother: Honestly, I don't know what I think. Sometimes I feel guidance, but it could just be that I'm having wise thoughts at that moment. What do you think?

Younger Child: They definitely exist. I've seen them.

Older Child: You have not.

Younger Child: Have too.

Older Child: Have not!

Younger Child: Have too!

Mother: Unless an angel appears right now, I doubt we can really settle this one.

(At this point, the Music Angel leans around the front of the stage and waves to the Younger Child who waves back. The Older Child looks at the Younger Child like he or she is crazy and the Younger Child responds with a shrug.)

Mother: So tell me what you thought about the shepherds.

Older Child: Well, that one shepherd was really worried about her lost lamb.

Younger Child: Yeah, I bet she loves that lamb as much as I love to sing.

Mother: I bet you're right. They seemed to truly love their sheep and they seemed to love being shepherds. I think this was because they could find beauty in their work. You see, it doesn't matter if you're a librarian or a mechanic or a mason or a...

Younger Child: Hey Mom?

Mother: Yes?

Younger Child: Sorry for interrupting, but can we get back to the story now?

Mother: Sure, but do you understand what I was trying to say?

(Younger Child looks at Older Child and shrugs)

Older Child: That you can find beauty and love in everything you do?

Mother: That's it. O.K. On we go. We were just getting to the wisewomen.

(Lights dim on this scene and go up on ancient stage.)

SCENE 6

(Wisewomen come from 3 different directions in the audience, then they all glance at the star and move in the same direction. As they do, they notice each other.)

Wisewoman #1: We are all moving in the same direction.

Wisewoman#2: I go toward the star.

Wisewoman #3: It is said that a great teacher of love, some say the son of God, is born tonight.

Wisewoman #4: Yes indeed. The teacher of love is found in a stable directly under that star.

Wisewomen #1, #2, #3: (look at each other and say) Ahhh.

Wisewoman #1: I have brought him a unique gift from my region, a gift of gold.

Wisewoman#2: Gold is gleaming and pure. A wise choice. For this child, I too, bring a unique gift-frankincense.

Wisewoman #3: Ah yes, frankincense holds a beautiful odor that touches the spirit like no other.

Wisewoman #1: And I see you have a gift as well. May I ask what unique gift you will offer?

Wisewoman #3: From my region I bring myrrh.

Wisewoman #1: I have not heard of this substance you call "myrrh."

Wisewoman #3: Well, uh, it comes from our region. Uh... my intuition told me it was the right gift.

Wisewoman #4: Actually, in about 2000 years, Webster's dictionary will say that it is a yellowish brown gum resin that has a pungent taste.

Wisewomen #1, 2, 3: (look at each other and say) Ahhh. (All three then look suddenly at the forth wisewoman)

Wisewoman #1: And what gift do you bring? I see nothing in your hands.

Wisewoman #4: I bring all the answers.

(With this response, Wisewoman #4 does a sweeping flourish with her hand and bows deeply. She puts her other hand behind her back and give a low "five" to one of the wisewomen's angels.)

Wisewomen #1, 2, 3: (look at each other and say) Ahhh.

Wisewoman #2: How very angelic. (eyes #4 suspiciously)

Wisewoman #3: And unique.

Wisewoman #4: As are all of our gifts.

(The Music Angel dances over to the pianist or other musician, takes a seat next to that person and pretends to start playing the instrument. The musician starts playing while the congregation sings the first verse of We Three Kings. In the meantime, the wisewomen make their way to the manger and present their gifts.)

SCENE 7

Older Child: Hey, I thought that there were only 3 wisewomen.

Mother: Yes, that was different, wasn't it? (starts to scan the book-flips back a page) Younger Child: I bet it was an angel.

Older Child: No way. (The Music Angel comes forward and gives a big "O.K." or "That's right" signal to the Younger Child. The Younger Child silently says "Yes!" and holds up a fist in triumph. The Older Child again looks at the Younger Child like he or she is crazy. Again, the Younger Child responds with another shrug. Then the Older Child continues with this question.) Where did you get the 4th one, Mom?

Mother: Well (looking through pages), it was right here.

(All three look at each other and shrug)

Younger Child: Well, I'm glad to finally know what myrrh is, at least.

Older Child: But that really wasn't part of the story, was it Mom?

Mother: No it wasn't. I went and looked it up earlier because I always wondered about that myself. (pauses) So what did your wise ears pick up from this part of the story?

Younger Child: That each gift was unique.

Older Child: And that we all have unique gifts to bring to the world. (pauses) But we forgot about Jesus.

Younger Child: No we didn't. His gift was teaching the world about love, a very great gift indeed.

Mother: Careful now, your wisdom is showing. You see, when God wants an important thing done in the world, He or She goes about it in a very singular way. God doesn't release thunderbolts or stir up earthquakes. God simply has a tiny baby born, perhaps of a very humble home, of a very humble mother. And God puts the idea or purpose into the mother's heart. And she puts it into the baby's heart. And then... God waits. (extra long pause)-----O.K. Let's see some of those gifts that you bring to this world. Would you sing Silent Night?

(Older Child looks at Younger Child questioningly and he nods.)

Older Child: Sure, Mom.

(The children start to get up, but the Mother stops them.)

Mother: But please remember: respond to each other from that deepest, most loving part of yourself; see beauty and love in what you are about to do, and let your unique gifts shine, for these gifts are born from love. Go on now. I'll just sit here and listen.

(The children sing one verse of Silent Night. When they are done, the mother claps. Probably the congregation will too. Then the mother looks out at the congregation.)

Mother: I see that our larger family is here. Let's all sing Silent Night together while we light our candles.

(Silent Night is sung until all candles are lit. Then the narrator steps forward once again.)

Narrator: The great events of this world are not battles and elections and earthquakes and thunderbolts. The great events are babies, for each child comes with his or her own gift, some version of the original version of love. With the birth of every child is the renewal, the birth once again of love. Go in peace.