By Richard Webb
An original playlet I wrote for inclusion in our Christingle Service in St Peters and St Pauls Church (C of E) in Charing KENT England on 24 Dec 06. Can be performed informally without rehearsal, as the Narrator has the only speaking part. The narrator should be in full control and invite / tell the children where to stand etc. Minimum costumes would be helpful. Could be included in a children’s (carol) service etc.
Narrator
Inn Keeper - Jehosha-mean (posh and carrying money bag)
His wife – Jehosha-broom (typical cleaner lady with broom)
Plus all the usual: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds, Wise Men, animals, etc
(some of the congregation were given small bells to ring see below)
Narrator: Today we are presenting to you a view of life in a small town some 2000 yrs ago. Please welcome Jehosha-mean- the keeper of the local inn (enters and waves his money bag) And his wife - Jehosha-broom (enters and waves her broom).
Now I have a job for all of you to do. Whenever I mention Jehosha-mean - I want you all to shout “Meanie” and rattle your bells. And when I mention Jehosha-broom - I want you to shout out “Broom broom” like a car starting up. OK ?
Well, as I say our story is about Jehosha - mean (Meanie - rattle!) (he waves).
And Jehosha - broom (Broom - broom) (she waves).
The story commences when Caesar has decreed there is to be a census and every one has to return to their home town to be registered.
There is of course a rush to book rooms and Jehosha- mean is overjoyed at all that extra cash (rubs his hands).
But Jehosha- broom is dismayed at all the extra work (looks glum).
Then when the Inn is full and many have had to be turned away – oh dear Jehosha-mean doesn’t like losing all that money.
(Enter Mary and Joseph).
Late one night there is a knock at the door and there are a man and a very tired girl wanting a room.
No more rooms - says Jehosha-mean - very disappointed.
Certainly not says - Jehosha-broom - not wanting any more work!
But please - pleads the man - my wife is about to give birth to a baby.
NO --- shout Jehosha-mean and Jehosha-broom together.
We’re so tired we can’t go a step further - please let us have a shelter.
With a sudden inspiration Jehosha-mean thought about the stable.
You can have the stable- he said.
And showed them to the place where the animals rested.
(enter the animals)
It was dry and warm and not a little smelly,
and there was a crib full of hay for the Baby.
You can’t do that - said Jehosha-broom (waving her broom) I haven’t cleaned it.
They don’t mind was the reply.
And they both went back to the Inn to join the normal revellers.
And Mary gave birth to her first born son --- Jesus.
(Baby/doll brought on)
Meanwhile out in the fields the shepherds were abiding,
and an angel appeared to them and told them of the Birth of the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
And a throng of angels came singing praises to God.
Then the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the Baby Jesus.
What on earth is this all about? - said Jehosha-broom,
where did all these dirty shepherds come from?
But Jehosha-mean could only think of the extra money he would get from them in the bar.
But the shepherds didn’t join Jehosha-mean and Jehosha-broom in the bar –
they were too busy worshipping the new born Baby Jesus.
The animals were baaing and neighing and heehawing,
and Mary and Joseph were over awed at the Miracle of their Baby Son.
Then to Jehosha-mean’s further surprise Wise Men came and presented gifts of Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh.
(enter wisemen and present their gifts)
Then Jehosha-mean said to – Jehosha-broom ,
do you know we have just seen the birth of the Messiah, the King of the Jews. And we put them in the stable. We could have charged 30 pieces of silver for the rent!
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© Richard Webb, 2006, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at:
revrichardwebb@tiscali.co.uk