The Awesome Star of Judah
by Loree Brown

Summary
A retelling of the journey of the Magi to see the Christ-child.

Characters
Speaking: Zoroas, Melchior, Asar, Caspar, Balthasar, Simeon, Judah, Arius, Junius, Herod
Non-speaking: Mary, infant Jesus

Script

(LOCATION: Ctesiphon on the Tigris River, land of the Medes and Persians. 
Time: 4 B.C.)

SCENE I

(The scene opens to a large room where 12 men, eight older, four
relatively young, are seated on cushions studying scrolls. One of the
younger men arises and looks out the window toward the night sky.)

ZOROAS: Melchior, come here and look!

(MELCHIOR gets up and goes to stand beside ZOROAS. He, too, leans out and
looks at the sky.)

MEL: Wow! Look at that! What do you suppose it means? That’s the brightest
star I have ever seen! It lights up the whole sky!

ASAR: Let me see! (He goes and pushes the other two aside and leans out.) It’s got to be a sign of something wonderful happening! What could it be?
Caspar, do you know of any prophecies that tell us what might be happening?

CASPAR: No, but let me see what you’re so excited about. I have a scroll
here on the stars for this time of year. Maybe I can tell which stars are in
that area and we can find out what the configuration is and what it tells
us. (He walks to the window as he talks, looks at the stars and refers to
his scroll. The other magi look on and then each goes back to the window to
look at the star.)

BALTHASAR: (He stands and looks, then turns to the others.) That’s Sirius.
It means, “birth of a prince”. Do any of you know of a Prince that is
prophesied to be born?

ASAR: Old Simeon is a Jew. The Jews have looked for a Divine King for eight
hundred years. Do you suppose this means that he has now come, Simeon?

SIMEON: How I do hope so! Let me look again. (He walks back to the window.)
The sacred writings of Moses do say, “A star shall come out of Jacob/and a
scepter shall rise out of Israel.” It really could be! The God of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob has always been faithful. This truly may be the advent of
our Holy Messiah! Look at the awesome star! It may be the star of Judah
prophesied so long ago!

ZOROAS: This is exciting! Surely someone so significant  as to merit a star
like this in the heavens must be truly great. We should go and see this One
that is announced by such a brilliant and awesome heavenly light.

SIMEON: Oh that I were young enough to travel, for I’d truly like to see the
long-awaited Messiah of our people. It would be the greatest joy of my life
to look upon Him! I’ve prayed so many prayers for Him to come and restore
the nation of Israel.

MELCHIOR: Then we must go and see this great King of the Jews! How many of
us should go? How soon can we leave? I can be ready to leave at sunset
tomorrow.

(The men talk among themselves. There is much excitement.)

SIMEON: Since I cannot go, I would like for Judah to go. He is the only
other Jew among us.

JUDAH: I’d like to go but my family needs me near. My father is ill and my
sister is to be married soon and I do not want to miss the wedding.

CASPAR: I’m not a Jew, But I’m Judah’s friend. I’ll go. I will meet anyone
who can go, here, tomorrow. I’ll have the camel packed with supplies and
another to ride.

BALTHASAR: Great! I’ll go. Now who else would like to come along?

ZOROAS: I don’t want to miss out. It should be an exciting journey.

ASAR: I’ll meet you here packed and ready. This will be something I do not
want to miss!

ARIUS: I’ve never traveled a long distance before but this might be worth
it. I’ll be here at sundown tomorrow.

CASPAR: What gifts shall we take this One who is so great the heavens
announce Him? Surely He deserves out best.

MELCHIOR: Gold would be a fitting gift. It represents wealth, royalty and
glory and persons of all nations receive it gladly. I will bring gold.

ARIUS: Simeon, what would you suggest? He is probably the Divine King you
Jews have looked for so long. What would be appropriate for Him?

SIMEON: Well, I don’t know, but if He is truly God’s Anointed from David’s
lineage I think something to acknowledge that He is holy would honor Him. In
the Holy of Holies in our temple, frankincense is burned daily as a holy
offering. Perhaps frankincense would be a suitable gift for Him.

CASPAR: I will bring frankincense as my gift to let Him know that we believe
Him to be holy.

BALTHASAR: Since Myrrh is an important ingredient of the sacred anointing
oil of the Jews I shall take that. It is long been accepted as a gift fit
for kings.

ZOROAS: Besar, you’ll want to go along, won’t you? We, too, shall find
appropriate gifts before we set out tomorrow.

ARIUS: So shall Asar and I.

SCENE II

(Six men are seated under palm trees by an oasis. They are obviously tired.)

BALTHASAR: I am so glad we finally found an oasis. I was beginning to
despair of life itself. I’ve never been so thirsty and tired!

ARIUS: Nor I! I had no idea travel was so difficult! We’ve been traveling
steadily for two months. How much further is it to Jerusalem where the
Jewish temple is?

CASPAR: I’m sure we have many more miles to go. We are probably over
half-way there but we cannot be sure that Jerusalem is where we will find
the Messiah.

ARIUS: I think I am just too tired to continue on. It is difficult for
me since I am older, so I think I will just stay here a few days, rest up and
go back home.

BALTHASAR: Zoroas has already turned back. When his servants became
quarrelsome and difficult to control he was so angry he returned. Besar
joined another caravan when he fell in love with one of the women in that
group. Now you wish to abandon the trip.

ASAR: I will go back with Arius. He may need me and I miss my family. I hadn’t counted on the trip being so long and so difficult. I am too homesick to
think about four or more months away from them. I must return!

MELCHOIR: We will certainly miss you! Seeing the promised King of the Jews
may be the greatest event of one’s life! The journey is long and hard but I
want to see and worship this person whose coming lights up the skies
brighter than I have ever seen them. We will write down our experiences for
you and for those who come after us so that all may know of this great
person announced by the awesome star.

ARIUS: Thank you Melchior. We will learn of the Holy One from you.

SCENE III

(Herod is sitting on his throne in the throne room. Junius approaches and bows.)

JUNIUS: Your Highness, may I present Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar from the
land of the Medes and Persians.

HEROD: Arise. Welcome to Jerusalem! What brings you to our fair city?

MELCHIOR: Sir, we are scholars from the east. We seek knowledge of One who
has been announced by a brilliant star in the sky. We have followed that
awesome star because we believe it indicated that the Messiah, the
long-awaited King of the Jews, has been born. We have traveled hundreds of
miles to worship Him. The last few nights have been cloudy and we cannot see
the star. Can you direct us as to exactly where He may be found?

HEROD: What’s this? A new King of the Jews has been born? Well, well, well!
I had not heard of this good news. I must learn more. Why don’t you good men
stay in the palace as my guests while I make further inquiries and get the
information you need.

(The Magi bow)

BALTHASAR: Thank you, Your Majesty. We accept your kind hospitality.

(The three Magi exit along with Junius. Herod paces back and forth talking
to himself. He is obviously upset.)

HEROD: A new king, huh! I am king. No-one shall take over my throne! I’ve
fought too long and too hard to lose it to some Jewish upstart. I’ve had
some of my own sons and my wife murdered to secure my kingship and I am not
about to loose it now. King of the Jews, indeed! I am King of the Jews now
and the King of the Jews I shall remain! H-m-m-m-m!

(He takes a pen and a piece of paper and writes a message, presses his ring
to seal it and then claps his hands.)

JUNIUS: (Enters, bows) Sire?

HEROD: Junius, take this message to the Chief Priest of the temple. It
demands that he question his priests and scholars as to the birth place of
the prophesied Jewish Messiah. When he has an answer to my question bring it
to me at once! Make haste! This is important!

JUNIUS: Yes, sire.

(He accepts the scroll, bows and exits. Herod continues to pace back and
forth.)

HEROD: I wonder just who and where this Messiah is. I MUST get rid of Him. I’ll tell the Magi that I want to worship Him too. They will be ordered to
return to me with specific information. Then I shall visit and kill Him. I
am and SHALL REMAIN king of ALL of the inhabitants of Galilee, Samaria,
Idumea and Judea!

(Junius enters, bows and hands scroll to Herod. Herod reads it aloud.)

“The ancient prophet Micah wrote: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a
ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”

Junius, summon the Magi at once!

JUNIUS: Yes, sire. (He bows and exits.)

(Junius and the three Magi enter. All bow to Herod.)

HEROD: Well, my good men, I have the information you need. The Christ is in
Bethlehem. Go. Worship Him and then return to me. I want a report as to when
you saw the star and as to His exact location now so that I. too, may go and
worship Him.

BALTHASAR: Yes, your Majesty, thank you. We shall go at once.

(The Magi bow and exit.)

SCENE IV

(Offstage the Magi sing, “We Three Kings”. They enter as they are singing
the chorus of the last verse. As the scene opens Mary, the mother, is seated
holding her young child. The three magi enter, fall on their knees, present
their gifts and bow with their heads touching the floor. As each presents
his gift he kneels and then stands beside the mother and child. After the
last gift is presented the Magi lead the congregation in singing “Majesty”,
“His Name Is Wonderful” or the “Hallelujah Chorus” tape is played. The Magi
prepare to leave.)

MELCHIOR: I, a gentile, worship you, with a gift of precious gold. Gold
represents wealth, royalty and glory. Persons of all nations gladly receive
it. I give you my best.

(Bows, lays down gift, then rises and stands to the left.)

CASPAR: I worship this King of the Jews by presenting frankincense. It is
burned in the Jewish temple in the Holy of Holies as an offering to Almighty
God. I now offer it to this child named Jesus, to show that He is one
declared by the heavens. He is holy for surely only a holy and divine being
would be announced by such an awesome star as now lights the night sky.

(He bows. presents his gift and walks over to stand beside Melchior.)

BALTHASAR: Myrrh is an important ingredient of the sacred oil of the Jews
used to anoint  their kings. As I offer it to the King of the Jews, I
worship Him, their long-awaited Messiah. He is surely the Light of the
World!

(He presents his gift and stands to the right of Mary and Jesus. Junius
stands with the Magi on the right. The other two should stand on the left.)

CASPAR: (As the Magi leave the stage.) I have been warned in a dream not to
return to Herod . Let us go chart another way to return home.

BALTHASAR: I’m glad we saw the light of the star, trusted its guidance and
found the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Awesome Star of Judah. Our
lives will never be the same. Let us go and reflect that light for the
remainder of our lives!
............................

Copyright 2000 by Loree Brown.
If you use this script would you please be so kind as to contact Loree and let her know?   brownb003@hawaii.rr.com