(Scene: Mary, very pregnant, sitting on a bench in a stable next to a manger. Joseph has just left to go find some blankets and food. Mary is in the early stages of labor, but doesn't really know it, yet. Perodic discomforts of early labor should dot this sketch, until more serious pains are called for.)
Narrator: God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.
Everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. (Lights up) He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
Mary: Hurry back, Joseph! If I need a midwife, I don't want to have to go find one myself!
Oy! Mother told me that I'd be miserable for two months before giving birth. She wasn't kidding. As joyful as I am about having this child, I'm ready just to get it over with.
(Looking around) This isn't the best place to have a baby. Maybe Joseph will find a better place before he returns. The angel said that this child would be the son of God. This is hardly a place for the son of God to be born. (Start to clean a bit) Where would I lay the child? There is no bed. Only... (sit down, in discomfort, then disappointed) only a feed box. And I can't have this baby here, anyway. I'm three days journey from home, and I don't know any of the midwives around here. Besides, this stable wouldn't be healthy for a child. Joseph must find a better place.
(Slightly stonger contraction, moan, sit) Yes, he has to find a better place. (Begin to realize that this might be it) Where is Joseph? He said he wouldn't be long. Oh, isn't that just like a man? He gets on a mission and he forgets who he's on the mission for. Although a blanket would be nice, right about now. And a little bread. (Pause for a moment, then another small contraction and moan, realize that this is the beginning. You start being a bit distressed)
I just don't understand. This child was supposed to be special. (Almost sarcastic) "The power of the Most High will overshadow you." Other than becoming pregnant, which was miraculous enough, nothing special has happened. No more instructions from God, no help in preparing to raise this child. And now I'm here, outside, in a barn, with only a feed box as a cradle, and hay for bedding. Who will this child be, starting in such a low setting?
(another small contraction) Oh! Joseph, where are you? God! This isn't supposed to happen this way! This is no place to give birth. And unless Joseph returns soon, I won't be able to move to an inn. What am I going to do?
OK, calm down, calm down.. Scripture. Something from the Scriptures. "The Lord is my shephard I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures." (looking around, realize you're IN a green pasture) Oh! No, God, not here! You *have* to find a better place! (shake your head) "He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff the comfort me." God, I could use some comfort, now. I know that you've blessed this child, and you'll take care of him. (Begin bigger contraction...) Oooh! OOOOH! (calling out) Joseph! (Blackout)
Narrator:
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Mary, having delivered looking at the child): You are a miricle child. Brought into the world by a virgin, born in a stable, visited by men from near and far singing your praises. The angel said that you are the Son of God. Why are you here? (lights dim, Mary stays in character, interacting with Child.)
(end with song "Mary Did You Know" By Mark Lowry)
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