Summary: Neither Mary's family nor Joseph believe that the baby she is bearing comes from God. Only her cousin Elizabeth understands.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 5min
Actors: 3F, 1M
Characters:
Mary
Joseph
Mary’s mother
Elizabeth
Script
(Scene opens with Mary standing in the middle of one side of the stage. Joseph is on one side. Mary’s mother is on the other side. Mary turns to first one and then the other during the opening exchange. Lights can go up and down on Mom and Joseph if the director likes that effect.
Mary: Yes, Mama. An angel.
Mom: An angel! (sarcastically)
Joseph: An angel? (unbelieving)
Mary: An angel.
Mom: Gabriel?
Mary: Yes, Mama. He said his name was Gabriel.
Joseph: Gabriel?
Mary: Yes, Gabriel.
Mom: And he came down from heaven?
Mary: Yes, Mama, from heaven; from the very presence of God.
Joseph: Heaven?
Mary: Heaven.
Mom: And you’re going to have a baby?
Mary: Yes, Mama, a baby from God.
Joseph: A baby?
Mary: A baby.
Mom: With no earthly father?
Mary: No earthly father.
Joseph: No earthly father?
Mary: You believe me, don’t you, Joseph?
(Joseph turns his back to Mary. Mary turns back to her mother.)
Mary: You believe me, don’t you, Mama?
(Mama turns her back to Mary. Lights up on other side of the stage. Elizabeth stands waiting for Mary. Mary crosses to her.)
Mary: Elizabeth, God be with you.
Eliz: Blessed above all other women are you; and blessed is the fruit of your womb. How has this honor been granted to me; that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Mary: Oh, Elizabeth, why is it that you know about my child but my mother and Joseph don’t understand?
Eliz: Mary, they will understand. The Lord will make it clear to them. Meanwhile, you can stay here with me and we will rejoice together at what the Lord is doing.
Mary: But what is He doing? Here I am in disgrace. Joseph has the right to put me to death. He believes I have deceived him and that I am lying to him now. How can this be God’s will?
Eliz: Sometimes when God works we just stand back and wonder why He’s doing what He’s doing. Look at me, Mary. For years and years Zachariah and I prayed for a child. Now we’re old, too old to have a baby, and here I am with child. It makes no sense to us. Why now, after all these years.
Mary: Yes, why now? Does it all tie together somehow?
Eliz: Maybe. They will be cousins, of course. Will they do great things for God together?
Mary: I don’t know. It’s all so confusing. This baby that I carry is a mystery to me. Who is He?
Eliz: You know, as well as I that God has sent this child to you. He is from above.
Mary: But is He God coming in the flesh?
Eliz: Oh, Mary, I can’t answer all your questions. I have too many of my own. You must keep all of this hidden in your heart. One day things will be clear to you, but for today just be at peace and love your baby.
Mary: I must admit that I am thrilled, but frightened too. If this baby is who I think He is, will others receive Him or seek to kill him?
Eliz: I don’t know Mary, but I believe God has a plan for us. Your baby is a big part of God’s plan. I believe my baby is part of it, as well.
Mary: I believe that, too. My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. God has done great things for me. Holy is His name!
Eliz: Yes, Mary. Holy is His name forever and ever!
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© Copyright Joanne Miller, all rights reserved. The script may not be
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