Mary's Christmas by Fiona Field

This Play is the copyright of the Author and must NOT be Performed without the Author's PRIOR consent

Scene 1: The village centre

Old Mary sits to the side of the stage, head in hand. Stage is dark with spotlight on her. Silence as she begins to remember the story.

The cast enter the stage as the order in the song determines, like a carousel.

Song 1: Jesus was sent for you

Sung by whole cast, each group coming to the front of the stage when their part is sung:

Bethlehem buzzing with census folk flocking

Herod is seething, his palace is rocking

News of a baby with royalty line

Brought all together at the perfect time

Shepherds in green fields with lambs to be cared for

Ready for lions and brave with each loud roar

Lowest of low but a picture of love

Mirrored the plan of our Father above

Kings in the distance with caravan travelling

Camels and servants in search of a new king

Following star in the sky through the night

Jesus would be in the world our true light

When the world doubts, when all seems bad, when you’re feeling blue

We have to remember that God has a plan

And Jesus was sent for you

Angels in heaven with trumpets are singing

Waited for years to see God’s son a true king

Knowing the plan that would soon save mankind

Watching the story unfold in God’s time

Mary was humble but brave on her journey

Favoured by God to fulfil a great proph’sy

Carrying Jesus emotions extreme

Joseph who trusted God through just one dream

The story unfolds in a time of depression

Romans the rulers were forcing oppression

Jews were so faithful but full of a fear

Praying the time of their saviour was near

When the world doubts, when all seems bad, when you’re feeling blue

We have to remember that God has a plan

And Jesus was sent for you

At the end of the song, the stage lights dim and the spotlight is on Mary again.

OLD MARY: Life was hard. Our people had not heard from God for generations. I, like many other girls, had been called Mary, which I found out later, actually means ‘rebellion’ and ‘bitterness’. Great, isn’t it!?

We needed God to fulfil his promise to us to send us a saviour.

We were under Roman rule, with Herod making life difficult for us in rural Galilee. We were heavily taxed, bullied and despised by the rulers. There was talk of revolution and wars but we as a nation were powerless.

We knew God though, and our faith was unwavering. God ensured the rain fell, the crops grew, we had food to eat and we knew He could deliver us from this rotten life. The religious leaders were strict and I, like the others, followed Moses’ laws carefully. God’s promise was all we needed to be saved from this life. God’s saviour! God’s King of the Jews!

But while we were waiting, life had to carry on…

Scene 2: Mary and her friends

Just an olive tree in on stage. The girls are happy and dancing to the background music of ‘All Israel will be saved’.

They have jars and are clearly looking out for someone while they are playing. Mary appears on the stage and they notice her.

MARTHA: Come on Mary! It’s time to collect water.

RUTH: Yeah, come on! I’m going fill my jar before you!

(The girls run around chasing each other with their jars)

MARY: I’m coming. I had to finish helping Mother clear up the house first.

ABIGAIL: Did you hear about how a Centurion beat up my brother yesterday on their tax round?

MARY: No, what was that for? Is he alright?

ABIGAIL: He’ll be fine! But it was just because they wanted him to pick up a bag they had dropped and he didn’t do it straight away.

MARY: Oh, that’s awful. I hope he gets better quickly.

RUTH: I can’t wait for God to send us the promised king. Then all those horrible Romans will be killed or at least, silenced.

MARY: God is faithful, Ruth. He has a plan and we need to trust him, patiently. Now, what good news does anyone have?

NAOMI: A man has been chosen for me and I’m going to be a bride soon. His name is Obed.

MARY: Oh, Naomi, that’s wonderful news! I’m so happy for you! And I’ve just been told the same thing.

My father arranged it this morning. I’ve been told he is strong, handsome and kind. I really hope he is. He’s a carpenter from Nazareth. Oh I can’t wait to meet him.

LYDIA: -Ooh, what’s his name?

MARY: Joseph

NAOMI: (To Mary) We’ll be married together! We can have children together and they can grow up playing like we do. It’ll be so lovely!

NAOMI and MARY play a hand clapping game, or skip in a circle, obviously best friends.

MARY: I’m going to love Joseph so much. Father says he’s such a lovely man. I know he will have chosen someone with God’s guidance. He’ll be perfect for me.

LYDIA: When will you meet him? And then when will we meet him?

MARY: Mother and Father have invited him round for a meal tonight. I’d better hurry home and help prepare the meal.

MARTHA: I’m going out to help gather the crops. Will you come and join us if you have time?

MARY: I’d love to. With God’s strength I can do anything! But I’ll have to see what happens with preparing for Joseph’s arrival tonight.

RUTH: Good luck! (winks cheekily)

MARY: (looking a little sheepish/shy and embarrassed) Thanks!

ALL FRIENDS: Bye

MARY: Bye

(Mary walks away towards her home, then, out of sight of her friends, kneels to pray)

MARY: My Father God, I know that you are an awesome God. I know I can trust you with every part of my life. I pray that I learn to love this man you have chosen to be my husband. I pray that our marriage will be blessed and that you will help me to be the best wife I can be. Even though I am nervous about what he will be like and what life will be like in a new home, I pray for your peace and comfort. Amen.

OLD MARY: I was so nervous but yet excited at what could happen in my life. When you’re young, everything is an adventure and I was ready to face a new life of marriage and children, even if I didn’t yet know what Joseph would be like. I had no idea how things were going to go…

Scene 3: Mary meets Joseph

Mary, Joseph and Mary’s father are sitting around the dinner table in Mary’s house and Mary’s mother is serving the dinner. There is obvious enjoyment of each other’s company and conversation.

The scene ‘freezes’ to allow Mary and Joseph to sing their thoughts to the audience in humorous style, with their friends peeking out from the windows (backstage) ‘into’ the kitchen to sing their bits)

Song 2: Those Nazareth nights (Sung by Mary, Joseph and all their friends)

(backing track ‘Summer nights’ from movie ‘Grease’)

JOSEPH: Summer loving had me a blast, oh yeah
MARY: Summer loving happened so fast,
JOSEPH: I met a girl crazy for me,
MARY: Met a boy cute as can be,

MARY/JOSEPH: Nazareth, town of our dreams,
And oh what the future may hold

JOSEPH’S FRIENDS: Well-a well-a well-a huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Is the wedding date set?

MARY’S FRIENDS: Tell me more, tell me more
Has he bought the ring yet?

JOSEPH: She was gentle, soft in her touch
MARY: He was strong, he talked far too much
JOSEPH: I asked her father if she could be mine
MARY: Although nervous, it was the right time

MARY/JOSEPH: Summer sun, something's begun
Oh, oh, oh, these Nazareth nights

MARY’S FRIENDS: Well-a well-a well-a huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?

JOSEPH’S FRIENDS: Tell me more, tell me more
Did you talk the whole night?

MARY: The stars shone in the clearest of skies
JOSEPH: My heart beating, gazed in her eyes
MARY: We dreamed of how our life could be
JOSEPH: This beautiful girl, my bride, Mary

MARY/JOSEPH: Couldn’t be any more perfect for me.
But, oh, oh, those summer nights

MARY’S FRIENDS: Tell me more, tell me more
So you’ve done really well

JOSEPH’S FRIENDS: Tell me more, tell me more
She’s a catch, you can tell

Shoo-bop-bop, shoo-bop-bop, shoo-bop-bop, shoo-bop-bop
shoo-bop-bop shoo-bop-bop shoo-bop-bop YEAH!

MARY: You’re my Joseph, the man of my dreams
JOSEPH: You’re my Mary, just turned fifteen
MARY: We’ll be married, life will be good
JOSEPH: I’ll protect you, a good husband should.

MARY/JOSEPH: Summer heat, boy and girl meet
But, oh, oh, the summer nights

MARY’S FRIENDS: Tell me more, tell me more
Does he have a nice home?

JOSEPH’S FRIENDS: Tell me more, tell me more
Has she ever moaned?

MARY: Oh how quickly, hope is a spark
JOSEPH: I could feel God’s light in the dark
MARY: Then we knew something was right
JOSEPH: But what would happen just the next night

MARY/JOSEPH: Summer dreams, Nazareth’s hope
Bu-ut oh, those summer nights!
Tell me more, tell me more!

Joseph leaves

MARY: (Hugging her mother) Oh Mother, he’s perfect. What will happen next?

MOTHER: Oh Mary, you will be a wonderful wife. You are well trained. You have learned all you need to know in this house. You are honest, trustworthy and loyal. You can cook, clean, gather crops and you have cared for the little children in the village. You will have your own children soon, and you will be a great mother yourself.

MARY: But Mother, it’s all so exciting and daunting at the same time.

MOTHER: You know you can trust in God, don’t you? He is your strength. It’s going to be a great celebration, this marriage. My daughter, a bride, I can’t believe it, but I’m so happy!

FATHER: My daughter, I am so proud of you. And Joseph will protect you, you know, and provide for you. He is a good match.

MOTHER: Now, sleep, dream of the future.

MARY: I will dream of my true love.

Lights fade to spot on Old Mary

OLD MARY: With all the excitement and future plans, I had lots to get my head around. I enjoyed time alone with God to pray and hear His voice.

[End of Extract]