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Moses
Queen Esther
Ruth
David
Isaiah
An angel
Reuben the shepherd
Three Wisemen
We’re plannin’ a party,
A birthday celebration
We’re plannin’ a party
We’ll send an invitation
To every woman and man
Every girl and every boy
Gonna plan a party that is full of
Peace and hope and joy
We’re plannin’ a party
A brithday celebration
We’re plannin’ a party
For the King of Kings!
We gotta think through all the details
We gotta cover every base
We gotta schedule the music
We gotta choose the time and place
It’s gotta be just right
Can’t have anything go wrong
We’re gonna think and plan
All day long!
This is going to be
The greatest party you’ll see!
Moses: All right, everyone, let’s come to order! (he bangs the gavel on the table) We need to get this meeting underway - we’ve got a lot to discuss. First order of business is to take attendance. (the rest of the group groans) Queen Esther?
Queen Esther: Yes, Moses, I’m here ... I’m sitting right in front of you!
Moses: Yes, and looking very queenly, if I might add. Now, King David?
David: Is this really necessary?
Moses: Yes, the Father said I was to make sure that everyone was accounted for. Now are you here or not?
David: Fine. I’m here.
Moses: Ruth?
Ruth: Present.
Moses: And last but not least, Isaiah?
Isaiah: Present as always.
Moses: OK, we’re all here. Now all of you should have been briefed by Gabriel about the purpose of our mission. We’re calling it: "Operation C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S." (Everyone starts murmuring and whispering to one another, while Ruth puts her hand up)
Ruth: I’m sorry, but what does C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S. mean?
Moses: I thought Gabriel was going to explain all of this to
you! (Moses turns to write on the whiteboard - or chalkboard and writes
Committee to Herald the Royal Infant Son To Man As Savior on the board.)
We are the Committee to Herald the Royal Infant Son To Man As Savior.
Our mission is to make the birth of the savior a very special event. So
we need to plan the location, the guests, the accommodations, everything!
No detail must go unplanned! Now in the latest E-mail I got from the Father
(Moses
pulls out a folded piece of paper and starts to open and read it, while
Ruth puts her hand up again ...) Yes Ruth, what is it this time?
Ruth: I’m sorry, but what’s an E-mail?
Moses: You’ve never received an E-mail? You need to catch up with the times, Ruth!
David: E-mail means Eternal Mail. You DO know that the Father’s words are Eternal, don’t you, Ruth?
Ruth: Well, I ...
Isaiah: I’m getting a vision ... I see a time in the distant future when E-mail will play a major role in the lives of many people, and somehow a man who builds gates is involved ... or is that Bill Gates?
Moses: Enough already! Now as I was saying, in His latest E-mail to me, the Father indicated that we should pick a very special place for the child to be born into the world.
Queen Esther: I know a palace in Persia that’s perfect for large parties. I’m sure we can fit, five, maybe six thousand people in the banquet hall.
Moses: I don’t think that is what the Father had in mind! He wanted something rather small, intimate, and cozy.
Isaiah: I’m getting a vision of a very rustic setting ... lots of animals around, some real nature smells.
Ruth: That’s sounds gross! (Cue in music for "There’s No Place Like Bethlehem")
David: That reminds me of my old hometown, Bethlehem. I’d be out on the slopes at night, listening to all the sounds of nature - the chirping insects, the bleating of the sheep ... the nights were cold, the days warm ... why, I can still smell the flowers covering the fields as the sheep grazed nearby. You know, there’s no place like Bethlehem ... there’s just no better place that I can think of for the baby to be born!
Choir sings "There’s No Place Like Bethlehem"
There’s no place like Bethlehem
To be the birthplace of God’s only son
There’s no place like Bethlehem
To host a party for the little one
Who would grow to give his life
Who would end all sin and strife
There’s no place like Bethlehem, like Bethlehem
There’s no place like Bethlehem
Though no palaces were built for him
There’s no place like Bethlehem
Though they couldn’t find room at the inn
Just a manger dark and bare
In the frosty moonlit air
There’s no place like Bethlehem, like Bethlehem
The great and mighty cities
The peaceful towns by the sea
The little village hamlets
Had hoped that they would be
The place where the king of kings would be born
But God had chosen Bethlehem
A tiny, sleepy town
To be the place where the tiny babe
Would be born to one day wear a crown
There’s no place like Bethlehem
the prophet had claimed long ago
There’s no place like Bethlehem
The angels said that it was so
There in Bethlehem that night
The world received the light
In the town called Bethlehem, in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem
in Bethlehem
Moses: Bethlehem sounds like a fine place for the child to be born. All in favor say "Amen!" (Everyone says "Amen!") All opposed say "Shalom!" (No one responds) It’s settled then! Bethlehem it is. Now, let’s see, who should we invite to come and witness this birth?
Esther: Shouldn’t we invite all the kings and queens of the earth?
Ruth: What about all the priests and religious leaders. Shouldn’t we include them?
David: Maybe we should include the rich and famous. After all, it would be nice for him to get some great birthday gifts.
Isaiah: I’m getting a vision ... I see humble people ... real "salt of the earth" types. They seem rugged, a little dirty, worn clothes, some of them need a bath ...
David: Sounds like most of my shepherd friends!
Esther: Shepherds! Why in the world would we want to invite shepherds to this royal occasion? It doesn’t make any sense!
Ruth: And just what’s wrong with the common folks? I was a common girl myself when I walked the earth!
Moses: I remember when I was a prince in Egypt ... and then for many years I did some shepherding myself. Shepherds are humble folk. They’re honest , hardworking, and they really care about their flocks.
Isaiah: Seems to me I remember writing something about this very thing as well. In my book ... by the way, have you read my book lately? Anyway, in my book I said that the Messiah would be like a lamb. So I think it’s very appropriate to invite shepherds as the honored guests!
Moses: All those in favor of inviting shepherds to the celebration,
say "Amen!" (Everyone says Amen) All those opposed say "Shalom!"
(No
one responds) It’s settled then. Perhaps we should see just how the
shepherds will react.
I see a little shepherd down there right now. Can’t be much more than
a boy! His name is Reuben, and he’s taking care of his father’s flock.
Why don’t we send a couple of angels down and invite him?
Scene now switches to Reuben, who is standing in center stage, leaning on his staff and whistling the melody to "I Am His Special Guest". Suddenly he looks up to the sky. (Angels are speaking to him, but the audience neither sees nor hears the angels)
Reuben: Hello? Are you talking to me? (pause) You are!
(more
like a question than a statement) You want to invite me to WHAT? (pause)
I see ... well, I’ve got this flock here with me ... but ... I don’t ...
I’m not ... God the Father said that?!! Well, yes, of course, I’d be honored!
I’ll get ready to leave right now! (music begins) Wow! I’ve been
invited to birth of the Messiah! I’m going to be his special guest!
(Reuben sings "I Am His Special Guest")
I Am His Special Guest
from the musical "Let’s Party!"
I’ll be his special guest
I’ll go by special request
For the Father up in heaven
Was lookin’ down at me
And saw this little shepherd
underneath the olive tree
He invited me to come
Where in the manger straw
a miracle of miracles
Fills the room with awe
I’ll be his special guest
Choir (He’ll be God’s Special Guest)
I am his special guest
And I can never rest
Until I’ve gone to see
What the angels told me of
The one they said that came
To show the world God’s love
I just can’t believe it’s true
That God invited me
A lowly shepherd boy
From a town near Galilee
I am his special guest
Choir (he is God’s special guest)
No one in my family is important
No one’s ever been a prince or king
No one’s even ever been to Egypt
And yet the angels came to me to sing
That they wanted ME to go to see him
The one they called the babe Emmanuel
So I am right now on my way to go there
Along the way I’m gonna shout and tell
I am his special guest
I’ve got a special quest
To go up to the Inn
Where the party has begun
To see this little babe
The Father’s only son
I may be a shepherd boy
Just a humble little lad
But I will give my heart
and make the Father glad
that I’m his special guest,
that I’m his special guest,
that I’m his special guest
At the end of the song Rueben leaves the stage, and the focus returns
to the committee
Following the song, the committee is a little confused ...
Ruth: Moses, I don’t understand something. We’re planning this big celebration for the birth of the Messiah, but yet you’ve already invited that little shepherd boy! I don’t get it!
Isaiah: (trying to be patient) It’s called "foreshadowing", my dear. We just got a little prophetic glimpse into the future just now. I used to have them quite frequently when I was on earth!
Esther: So what just happened didn’t really happen?
Isaiah: Not yet. But the response of Reuben tells us that the shepherds are a great choice to go celebrate the birth of Christ.
Moses: People, let’s get back on task! We’ve got much more to plan! Now , what about the entertainment?
Queen Esther: I once knew these guys who could swallow flaming swords ...
David: That’ll make the sheep scatter to the four corners of the earth !
Ruth: Why can’t we use heaven’s praise band? Have you heard them lately ? I just found out that they’re doing a show tonight.
Isaiah: Hm ... I’m getting another vision ... Tonight Show ... many bands, a few bad comedians ... many jokes about a man named "Clinton" who lives in a big white house. It’s all very fuzzy, you know!
David: I’ll take that over the flaming sword guy any day.
Esther: I guess the Praise band does sound a little more festive ...
Moses: I sure can’t think of any better way to announce the coming of the Messiah. After all, they’ve been waiting for him to come ever since I was a boy in Egypt! So, do we need to take a vote? (everyone nods their heads "yes", Moses sighs and says) Fine. All those in favor of having Heaven’s Praise Band provide the music please signify by saying "Amen!" (Everyone says "Amen!") All those opposed say "Shalom!" (Everyone just sits there) The motion is carried. Someone needs to get the message to the angel Jubal to get the band together and put on the show!
Choir sings "Heaven’s Praise Band"
Heaven’s Praise Band
words and music by Ray Lombardi
It’s time to tune the instruments
Gotta practice and prepare
For the party needs some music
Some tunes with style and flair
Gotta warmup all the singers
Gotta setup all the drums
Gotta tinkle on the ivories
Gotta practice guitar strums
Heaven’s praise band is coming
Gonna sing Gonna shout Gonna Praise
Heaven’s praise band is coming
We’re gonna worship all our days
We’ll be singing a birthday tune
To the newborn king tonight
Heaven’s praise band is coming
And this band is outta sight!
The angels form the chorus
That sing the happy song
That Jesus Christ is born today
What we’ve waited for so long
The angels singing gloria
The trumpets do proclaim
The praise band sent from heaven
Will never be the same!
Heaven’s praise band is coming
We’re going to shout and sing
A song for the birthday of the great Messiah King!
(An angel appears who hands Moses a note and leaves. Moses opens the note.)
David: What did you get?
Moses: It’s another E-Mail from the Father. He’s telling us that He wants us to invite three kings from distant lands to come to the celebration. Apparently, the three know each other, but they are each from different lands.
David: How are they going to find out about Bethlehem?
Ruth: Yeah ... it’s not like we have some sort of global system for people to be able to interact and network individually and corporately no matter where they might live or work.
Isaiah: I’m getting another vision ... I see that someday, Ruth, people will be able to do just what you said. It’ll be called the ... INTER- NET.
Esther: That’s impossible! There’s no way a person on one side of earth will be able to interact with someone on the other side!
Isaiah: Not true! Not true!" I see a messenger in my vision ... an "instant messenger" if you will ... but, for some reason, at the top of my vision are the letters A.O.L. What can that possibly mean?!!!
Moses: People, people, stop fantasizing about something that can’t possibly happen! We need to figure out a way to get those gentlemen to Bethlehem. Something big ... something bright ... something that will grab their attention ... (Moses appears lost in thought)
Ruth: You mean like a star? (everyone basically ignores her)
David: Hm ... let’s see, big, bright, grabs attention ... a sign on the top of the highest mountain?’
Ruth: How about a star?
Esther: We could ask the Father to send a big lightening strike that points right down to Bethlehem!
David: You’ve got to be kidding ... ‘
Moses: (still lost in his own thoughts) Let’s see ... He’s been a pillar of fire by night, a cloud by day ...
Ruth: What about a star?
Moses: (excitedly) I’ve got it! How about an unusual STAR right about Bethlehem! Then we just tell them to follow the star! (Everyone except Ruth acts real excited about the idea while Ruth fumes ... ) Now, Ruth you were saying ... ?
Ruth: Forget it! Let’s just tell them to follow the star!
Choir sings "Just Follow that Star"
Heaven’s Praise Band
words and music by Ray Lombardi
Just follow that star
Just follow that star
It will lead you to the place
As it brightly shines in space
Just follow that star
Just follow that star
He could have given us a roadmap
He could have sent an angel guide
He could have made a special landmark
But this is what He did provide
So, just follow that star
Just follow that star
It will lead you to the place
As it brightly shines in space
Just follow that star
Just follow that star
It’s a beacon pure and bright
It will guide them through the night
It was placed with a loving hand
so that men from a distant land, could,
Just follow that star
He could have marked a path with ribbons
He could have paved a road so wide
He could have cut a trail through forests
But he chose a star to be the guide, so
Choir concludes; Lights dim, intermission
Moses: People, people, let’s come to order please! Even though everything is going smoothly down on earth we need to stay focused! I need status reports on the proceedings! Now, David, was all prepared as planned in Bethlehem?
David: Check!
Moses: Was the manger ready as we agreed?
Ruth: Check!
Moses: Did the Praise band arrive on schedule?
Esther: Check!
Moses: Did the shepherds find their way to the Inn?
Isaiah: Check!
Moses: Did the wise men arrive yet?
(silence - everyone looks around like it wasn’t their job to find out ... Moses gets impatient and repeats the question)
Moses: Well? What about the wisemen? Who was supposed to check this detail?
(Ruth timidly raises her hand ... )
Ruth: I think I was, sir ...
Moses: Don’t tell me we didn’t follow up on the wisemen! The Father was very specific! He’s not going to ... (Isaiah interrupts him)
Isaiah: Ah ... Moses, I think they’ve just arrived. Don’t forget, they had the furthest to travel. I’m just glad they got here at all. Why, some would have given up long ago and just headed home. But these three men knew that it was worth coming all this way to meet the child born a savior. I gotta hand it to them - they really stuck it out! I think I can hear them talking about their trip right now! (Isaiah puts a hand behind his ear as the music begins for "We’ve Come All This Way")
Wisemen Trio sings "We’ve Come All This Way"
We’ve Come All This Way
(The Song of the Wise men)
It was a long , long journey
We’re tired and we’re cold
Our feet are really achin’
And our bones feel so old
But we’ve finally come to Bethlehem
To celebrate this day
It is for this one purpose that
We’ve come all this way!
Chorus:
I bring gifts of gold
I bring gifts of frankincense
I bring gift of myrrh
We went to all expense
To bring the King of Kings and Lord of Lords a gift on his birthday
For this is the reason we came all this way
There were dangers on this journey
And Herod tried to learn
About this little baby king
He wants us to return
But we won’t give in to his lies
When we have done our stay, for
Jesus is the reason that
We’ve come all this way
Moses: Well, I don’t know about you folks, but I’m thrilled that things came off without a hitch! Isaiah, how do you think the rest of the world will feel about the Messiah’s coming?
Isaiah: I don’t want burst your bubble, Moses, but I wouldn’t count on too many people getting very excited.
Ruth: Why’s that, Isaiah?
Isaiah: Well, you see the Messiah has been sent to the world
to save mankind, but man is filled with sin, and doesn’t think he needs
a savior. So when that little boy becomes a man, he’s going to cause quite
a stir among the people. But not to worry - you see, God the Father has
a very special plan for the Messiah that will be important to every man,
woman and child that walks the earth. Someday, the Messiah will be beaten,
and broken, and then put to death.
I wrote about this very thing in my book - by the way, have you read
my book lately? In my book I said that he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities, and by his wounds we are healed. I know
this is very difficult, but remember, his dying will give us all new life.
And that’s why tonight is a special time to rejoice. And so tonight, we
celebrate!
David: I feel like singing! Why, I haven’t written a Psalm in centuries ! I better get started on something appropriate!
Esther: This is just like the day when Mordecai saved the Jews from destruction!
Ruth: And like the time my beloved husband Boaz saved me from a life of despair!
Moses: We ALL have reason to celebrate ... because the MESSIAH has come to earth! Praise Jehovah! Let’s celebrate His birth!
Choir presents finale "What A Party, What A Night"
What A Party, What A Night!
words and music by Ray Lombardi
What a party, What a night
What a time of pure delight
What a celebration
What a time to laugh and sing
In the birthday party for the little newborn king! (repeat)
Everyone gathered all around
And did not dare to make a sound
Every beast was still, every breath was held
Until he was born then we all joined and yelled
What a party, What a night
What a time of pure delight
What a celebration
What a time to laugh and sing
In the birthday party for the little newborn king!
Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing!
What a party, What a night
What a time of pure delight
What a celebration
What a time to laugh and sing
In the birthday party for the little newborn king!
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
...............................................................................
© Copyright Raymond J Lombardi. All rights reserved.
A Royalty is payable for use of this script. Sheet music and backing CD's are available from the Author. To pay Royalties and obtain copies of the music, visit the Author's Website at http://www.lorraymusicals.com for details.