Sermonstudio

Characters (in order of appearance)
Archangel
Afriel
Barbiel
Galmon
Bathor
Kemiel
Baruch
Gabriella
Innkeeper's wife
Guest 1
Guest 2
Innkeeper
Joseph
Caspar
Balthasar
Melchior
Salome
Saul
Benjamin
Jeremiah
Cow
Horse
Sheep

Props
Podium
Loose papers and briefing pockets in manila envelopes
Three rows of chairs
Hourglass
Scroll
Table, chairs, and cups
"Shekels"
Rock "seats"
Shepherd's crook
Hooded white cloak
Straw, manger, baby

Scene One: Heaven
(Setting: The setting is Heaven's briefing room. The Archangel is standing behind a simple podium, shuffling through papers. Three rows of chairs are set up in front of the podium. Six angels walk in and take seats spread out through the three rows. Afriel walks onstage, stands uncertainly for a moment at the back of the room. The other angels look around, spot her, and exchange looks and murmurs. The other angels get up and move, so that one chair is set apart from the others, with empty seats around it. The Archangel waits until Afriel sits down, looks at an hourglass, then looks out at the assembled angels.)

Archangel: Okay, let's keep it down. Now, the night watch starts in a few minutes, and we've got a lot of work ahead of us. I know a couple of you were on leave -- I'm sorry we had to call you back, but we're going to need everyone we've got tonight.

Barbiel: I'm glad to be back, Archangel.

Galmon: Yes, thanks for bringing me back, too.

(Afriel rolls her eyes, folds her arms across her chest, and slumps back in her chair.)

Archangel: Thank you both, but we've already chosen your assignments, so no one needs to butter me up anymore.

(Afriel chuckles, Barbiel and Galmon look surprised.)

Barbiel: That's not what I was doing. I meant it. I really did.

Archangel: Glad to hear it. You all know that God has had some plans in the works for a long time, now, and some of them are starting to come together. The next few hours are going to be tricky, and a lot of things have to happen just right, so we're going to need everybody to be at the top of their game tonight.

Kemiel: What are we going to be doing?

Archangel: It's all in your briefing packets, Kemiel. You'll be going out in pairs tonight. (as the Archangel starts shuffling through a stack of manila envelopes, Afriel straightens up in her chair and counts the other angels, then looks confused) Barbiel and Gabriella, you're together. Galmon and Bathor, you're a team. Kemiel and Baruch, you're teaming up for this watch.

(As the Archangel says their names, one of each pair steps forward to get their envelope. Afriel starts to get up at the end, but there are no envelopes left. The others glance at her, then turn away quickly, ripping open the envelopes. Afriel is frustrated.)

Kemiel: (looking at the briefing packet) How long do we have to get the choir together?

Archangel: Don't waste any time, Kemiel. I know it's taken a few thousand years to get to this point, but things are going to start happening pretty quickly, now -- we have to be ready.

Baruch: Will do.

(Afriel mimics Baruch. The Archangel sees it but turns away and says nothing.)

Archangel: I know you will. You -- all of you -- are the best of the best. That's why you're here. (there are self-conscious glances at Afriel, who is becoming even more uncomfortable) We're all going to have to pull together to make this work, and I know you can do it. The boss thinks so, too -- and we all know he's never wrong. (smiles) Check your packets, hit the skies. (the other angels start to leave) And hey -- (everyone stops and looks at the Archangel expectantly) let's make sure we do it right.

(The Archangel waits while the others leave the room, then the Archangel takes one more envelope off the podium.)

Archangel: Afriel, I've got your briefing packet right here. (pause) I want you to know that it wasn't my idea to pull you off star detail tonight and put you on this job. The Boss told me to do it.

Afriel: Thanks for your vote of confidence. (reaches for the packet)

Archangel: (doesn't offer her the packet) But after he told me to, I was glad he did. Especially when he told me why. (lets Afriel have the packet) Here you go. You've got a lot to do tonight, so make sure you read it over -- carefully.

Afriel: (takes the envelope, opens it) I will.

Archangel: I mean it. We don't want a repeat of what happened last time.

Afriel: I know, I know, the briefing packet said Sodom or Gomorrah, and I thought it said Sodom and Gomorrah. (pause) I had something in my eye.

Archangel: I don't care about your eye -- (taps Ariel's head) just make sure there's something in your head. Make sure nothing goes wrong this time. God's watching us on this one.

Afriel: Isn't he always? (flips through the packet)

Archangel: You know he is. But this time it's personal.

Afriel: Right. Don't worry, I'll be careful. (holds up packet) It looks pretty safe, not much to goof up. No fire, no brimstone, no lightning bolts. Looks perfect for me.

Archangel: I mean it. This is the biggest thing we've done since -- well, since Moses.

Afriel: I wouldn't know, I wasn't part of that. I was busy exploding a dead star at the edge of the galaxy that day -- I had to read about Moses in the newsletter.

Archangel: I know what you were doing then -- that's why you're here now.

Afriel: What do you mean?

Archangel: Just because we've got you walking a beat at the other end of the galaxy doesn't mean we're not watching, Afriel. We know you were being careful about our work.

Afriel: But --

Archangel: No time for buts, Afriel. It's time for you to fly. Grab a cloak from the Quartermaster -- you're going to be working undercover this time.

Afriel: (with a puzzled look) Thanks, I'm on it. No screw-ups this time.

Archangel: I know you can do this, Afriel. (pauses until Afriel is offstage, then looks up and shakes head warily) I hope you know what you're doing this time. (pauses, then nods) I know, I know, you don't make mistakes. (as she walks offstage) You keep telling me that, but it's still hard to believe you meant for the platypus to turn out the way it did.

End Scene One

Scene Two: Bethlehem Inn
(Setting: The scene opens at the inn in Bethlehem. The Innkeeper's wife and two guests are sitting at a table while the innkeeper waits on the table.)

Wife: I tell you, I've never seen anything like this. We've run this inn for twenty years, and I've never seen it this busy. Not even during Passover, and you know how it is then.

Guest 1: But it's good for business, though, isn't it?

Wife: There's such a thing as being too good for business. We have families sleeping two and three to a room. We have families sleeping in the common room -- so many of them that I can't walk from the kitchen to the front door without stepping on someone. We can't keep up with them all. The dirt, the dust -- and don't even talk to me about the privies.

Guest 2: I was just there -- and believe me, I don't want to talk about it, either. (shudders)

Guest 1: It's been awful for my business, too. How can a person make a living if they have to drop everything and spend a couple of weeks traveling back to their family home --

Guest 2: -- just so we can be counted. It's insane.

Wife: Well, Augustus has to know how many of us there are.

Innkeeper: (who has stopped to listen) Sure -- so he can decide how much to tax us. I, for one, just want to be left alone. I haven't slept in days. "We need food. We need clean blankets. We need, we need, we need --" That's all I hear. What about what I need?

Guest 1: Now that you mention it.... (raises an empty cup)

(Innkeeper glares and walks away. Barbiel and Gabriella walk into the room, escorting a weary-looking Joseph.)

Gabriella: See, this is the inn we were telling you about. It's nice and cozy.

Barbiel: Warm and clean -- (looks around at the floor) well, warm, anyway. (looks at Gabriella) Do they usually allow sheep inside an inn?

(Gabriella shrugs)

Joseph: I guess it's okay. We've been everywhere else in Bethlehem.

Gabriella: Great. We knew you'd like it. (pounds on counter) Innkeeper! Innkeeper!

Innkeeper: What? We're closed.

Barbiel: Evidently not -- your door was open.

Innkeeper: (stares toward door) Hmmm -- I could have sworn I bolted the door. Oh, well, it doesn't matter. We're closed. Don't let the door hit you in the back on the way out.

Wife: Ezra! Don't be rude.

Innkeeper: Sorry. Please don't let the door hit you in the back on your way out.

Barbiel: You don't understand. We have a reservation.

Innkeeper: You don't understand. We're c-l-o-s-e-d. (spell out)

Gabriella: Check your reservations. Joseph of Nazareth, party of two.

(The innkeeper growls and pulls out a scroll, unrolls a portion of it. As he studies it, Afriel walks in, stops next to Gabriella and Barbiel. She is wearing a plain white robe with a hood, but the hood is not over her head.)

Afriel: What's up?

Barbiel: Nothing much. Why are you here?

Innkeeper: Another one? I have to fix the bolt on that door.

(The innkeeper looks back at his scroll -- periodically casting looks at the angels as they talk.)

Afriel: I have time to kill.

Barbiel: Must be nice.

Afriel: Uh-huh. Do you need any help here?

Barbiel: No, thanks. We've seen what happens when you help.

Afriel: Now wait a minute --

Barbiel: Just try and stay out of our way.

(Afriel starts to respond, then shakes her head, walks over to the table, and sits down wearily. She nods at the innkeeper's wife and the guests.)

Innkeeper: Uh-huh. Well, it's just as I thought. You don't have a reservation.

Gabriella: But we do. We made it earlier today. I did it myself -- it should be right there.

Innkeeper: Oh, it's there all right. But you didn't guarantee the reservation.

Gabriella: What do you mean?

Innkeeper: You didn't leave a deposit to hold the reservation past check-in time. Sorry. See you at Passover.

Barbiel: But -- but -- surely you must have a room.

Innkeeper: It's Ezra, not Shirley, and I've got two families sleeping in the room you reserved. That's ten or twelve people. What would you like me to do with them?

Afriel: (Afriel chuckles and gives them a thumbs up sign) Nice work.

(Barbiel glares at her, then turns back to the innkeeper.)

Barbiel: Don't you have anything for them? A small room, a large closet?

Joseph: It's just that my wife -- she's pregnant and she's going to have our child any day now -- any time now. There must be something.

Afriel: (leaning over to speak to the innkeeper's wife) I saw his wife out there. She's huge. Looks like she's ready to give birth any minute now.

Wife: Ezra is rude, but he's right. We don't have a place for them in the inn. We should have turned away the last dozen families.

Afriel: I understand. When I was walking up to the inn, though, I couldn't help but notice the cave in the hillside -- the stable, I think?

Wife: The stable? It's not a fit place to have a baby.

Afriel: And the street is? At least they would be out of the weather. It would be a safe place for them.

(The innkeeper's wife looks thoughtful.)

Innkeeper: Sorry, but there's just no way --

Wife: Wait --

(They all look at her.)

Wife: What about the stable?

Barbiel: The stable?

Wife: It's warm, and we can put down fresh straw and make it cleaner for you. (to Joseph) I know it's not much, but it's out of the cold. And you don't want your wife to have your child in the street, do you?

Joseph: Well -- no. (looks at innkeeper) Would your stable be open, sir? For my wife and me?

Innkeeper: Well -- I guess we could do that. (looks at wife) Since my wife seems to think it's okay.

Joseph: That's wonderful! Thank you, sir! I must go tell Mary.

(Afriel smiles and flips up the hood of her cloak. As Joseph leaves, the innkeeper steps up close to Barbiel and Gabriella.)

Innkeeper: That will be two shekels for the night. And, since it's the stable, there won't be any security deposit.

(As Gabriella pays the innkeeper, his wife looks around, suddenly confused.)

Wife: Where did that woman go?

(The others look around, but Barbiel looks at Gabriella and gives a slight shake of her head.)

Gabriella: What woman?

Wife: The one that was just ... (stops, looks befuddled)

Gabriella: Sorry, I didn't notice anyone leave.

(Afriel nods and starts to walk out of the room, past the other two angels.)

Wife: Never mind. It's late and I need some sleep.

Barbiel: (whispers as Afriel passes by) Thanks. We owe you.

(Afriel smiles, nods, and walks offstage.)

Innkeeper: Now, make sure your friends don't mess anything up or we'll have to charge for extra maid service.

Gabriella: It's a stable, remember?

Innkeeper: Oh, yeah. Well -- take it easy with the straw. It's not free, you know.

Gabriella: (turning away) Right. We'll pass that along to them. (to Barbiel, as they leave) Make sure you've got this guy's name. I think we need to send him some boils when this is done.

End Scene Two

Scene Three: Crossroads
(Setting: The scene opens at a crossroads. The three wise men are standing in a huddle, studying a map; there is a woman standing slightly behind them, holding the reins of a camel.)

Caspar: (pointing ahead) If this map is right, Jerusalem is off (hesitates, turns and points in the other direction) that way. We should have gotten off this trail at the last crossroads.

Balthasar: But what about this -- if you follow the road this way, it comes to a village about five leagues away.

Melchior: And if you take the road to the left for nine leagues, you come to another village.

Caspar: And if we keep going straight -- (turns map to study it)

Salome: I told you we should have asked for directions at the last well. But no, I'm a wise man, I don't need directions.

Caspar: I don't. I'm just getting my bearings. I know exactly where we are.

Salome: Yep -- the back end of nowhere. We left Babylon a month ago and we still haven't found this person you're looking for.

Caspar: We'll find him.

Salome: I wish you'd do it before I'm old and gray.

Melchior: (quietly) Too late.

Salome: What was that?

Caspar: He said it's late. (looks around) We should be thinking about a place to bed down for the night.

Salome: Sure -- and the nearest bed is five leagues away. I am not sleeping with a rock for a pillow again. (flounces her hair) It messes up my hair.

Melchior: That's the least of worries.

Salome: What? Speak up!

Caspar: He said don't worry. We just have to find the right ...

(Afriel walks onstage. Once again, the hood of her cloak is down on her shoulders.)

Afriel: Greetings, friends! Peace be unto you.

Caspar: (bowing slightly) And unto you. Where are you bound this night?

Afriel: I am on the road to Jerusalem. Where are you bound?

Balthasar: We are scholars from the East and we are looking for a great king.

Afriel: A great king? Where do you seek him?

Caspar: That is the problem, my friend -- we're not sure. About a month ago we first saw the sign -- a dazzling bright star where there had been none before. We studied its position and determined that the star heralded the birth of a great king ... somewhere around here. We've been looking ever since then.

Melchior: Tell us, please, have you heard of a great king being born here? We have studied the heavens, we've pored over our ancient books, and even sought audience with King Herod, all to no avail.

Afriel: Since you are searching for this great one so earnestly, perhaps I can help you.

Salome: Believe me, they need any help you can give them.

Afriel: You say you are scholars -- are you familiar with the ancient books of the Hebrews, the words of their prophets?

(Caspar and Balthasar shake their heads.)

Melchior: We know them, of course, from the time they spent in our land. I have seen some of them -- copies of them -- myself.

Afriel: Then you are familiar with the Messiah?

Caspar: Messiah?

Melchior: A great king, correct?

Afriel: More than that -- a savior. He will come to Earth to save everyone, to lead the people of Israel and all who believe to everlasting glory. He is God's promise to the people that he has not abandoned them.

Caspar: And what of this messiah?

Afriel: The ancient scriptures tell us that the Messiah will be born to the House of David.

Balthasar: And not Herod?

Afriel: Herod's power is fleeting -- the Messiah will be born of the true heart and soul of Israel.

Caspar: So, how does that help us?

Afriel: The House of David is rooted in Bethlehem. Not far from here. (points) That way.

Melchior: The star! It's in the same direction. It seems to be right above this Bethlehem.

Afriel: (looks and nods) It does at that.

Caspar: How far is it?

Salome: And does it have an inn?

Afriel: It's about four leagues down this road, here. (looks to Salome) And as for the inn -- people are finding rest in all sorts of unusual places this evening. Trust in God. (As the others look down the road, or study the map, she steps back and flips up the hood of her cloak.)

Caspar: (looking at the map) I see -- (looks up, then looks around, confused) Where did she go?

Melchior: I -- I don't know. She was here one moment, then gone.... (shakes his head) She must have gone on her way. Without a lamp or a torch, she wouldn't be visible just a few yards down the road.

Caspar: (folds map) Well, I don't know where she went, but I know exactly where we're going, now. Let's go to find this Messiah before the star sets.

(They leave, going down the road pointed out by Afriel. She smiles and goes in another direction.)

End Scene Three

Scene Four: The Field
(Setting: The scene opens in a field. Two shepherds are curled up on the ground, a third is sitting on a rock, dozing as he looks out toward the sheep. There are sheep sounds in the background. Kemiel and Baruch approach from the direction the shepherd is not looking. They look at one another in silence -- the shepherd on watch doesn't turn. They clear their throats loudly and there is still no reaction. They look at one another again.)

Kemiel: (striking a pose with his arms raised) Behold!

Saul: (startled, jumps to his feet and turns) Wha --? -- Who? -- Huh?

Kemiel: (strikes pose again) Behold!

Saul: (clutching his chest) Who are you and why did you sneak up on me like that?

Baruch: (striking a similar pose) We are messengers of God! We bring you glad tidings of great joy.

Saul: You nearly brought me a heart attack, that's what you brought me. (looks around warily) What's going on here? Who sent you?

Kemiel: God sent us to tell you that a king has been born this night in the city of Bethlehem.

(As they talk, Afriel approaches from the other side. The hood of her cloak is up, so she is not seen by the shepherd.)

Saul: A king? Is that all? (prods other shepherds with his crook) Hey! Benjamin! Jeremiah! (the shepherds stir and sit up slowly) Guess what? A king's been born.

Benjamin: (rubbing his eyes) What, another one?

(Kemiel and Baruch look at one another for a moment.)

Kemiel: (puzzled) What do you mean?

Saul: He means we're up to our nether regions in kings around here.

Baruch: I don't understand.

Benjamin: There's Augustus in Rome and Herod and the Roman Procurator in Jerusalem who may as well be a king. There's no shortage of kings or kinglets around here. (stretches and yawns) Another king will hardly be noticed. Unless this one decides not to tax us.

Jeremiah: That would be nice for a change. That would be a king I could get behind.

Saul: Are you kidding? It would be a great change. (there is much nodding and general agreement among the shepherds)

Kemiel: (stammers) B-but this king is sent by God.

Jeremiah: (with a dismissing wave) They all are. Just ask them.

Baruch: Maybe you don't understand. This is a miracle.

Saul: We understand just fine, thank you. You've got kings up here (gestures over his head), you've got merchants and priests here (gestures directly in front of himself), and then you've got everybody else. The shepherds, the farmers, the guys like us who spend our lives working to keep the rest of them in business, right down here. (gestures toward his feet) Nobody cares about us, least of all kings. All they care about is taxes and warm bodies to put in the army. Another king? Send me another pair of eyes to watch the flock at night, or a shearer that will give me an honest weight for my wool, and that will be miracle enough for me, thank you.

Kemiel: (to Baruch) This isn't going well.

Afriel: What was your first clue? (the angels look at her and she lowers her cloak and steps forward) Greetings, friends. Peace be unto you.

Benjamin: And unto you, stranger. What brings you out on this cool evening?

Afriel: Don't you know? I thought maybe these fine young men had already told you the news.

Jeremiah: All we've been told is that another king has been born. (shrugs) Not enough news to disturb a man's sleep, I think.

Afriel: King? He's not just a king. He's the Messiah.

Benjamin: (groans) Messiah? Send me a king instead. I've seen too many messiahs over the years, and nothing good ever comes from them. (he starts to turn away)

Afriel: (reaches out and touches Benjamin, who stops and turns to look at her with a puzzled expression) Friend, don't turn away from the good news. This child hasn't come to lead you with the sword and the scepter -- he's come to save you. (looks at the others) All of you.

Jeremiah: I don't understand.

Afriel: Thousands of years ago God promised that he would send someone who could redeem all mankind from sin. (smiles) He never promised anything as small as a king -- he promised a savior. That savior is being born tonight, in a stable in Bethlehem.

Saul: A savior? In a stable? How could a child born in a stable ever hope to save all mankind from anything?

Afriel: It doesn't matter where you start your life, my friend -- it matters what you do with it. And this child is destined to be the Redeemer.

Benjamin: I don't understand.

Afriel: The prophecies are there, if you can open yourself to understanding them. But for now just trust me -- it will all be clearer when he's grown. The important thing to know tonight is that God's promise is being kept.

Benjamin: Friend, we work hard every day and when we're not working, we're spending time with our families or resting so that we can go back to work again. Time is fleeting -- we can't afford to use it looking for this savior.

Afriel: He is a gift from God -- can you afford not to look for him? (looks at each of them) Do you really want to let your busy schedule stand between you and God? When your time has fled, do you really want to stand before the throne of heaven and say, "Sorry, God, but I was just too busy...?"

Saul: If what you say is true, what can we do? What should we do?

Baruch: It is true and it's happening right now in Bethlehem. Go there, seek him out, and find out for yourself what God has done for you.

Saul: (slowly) I think -- I think we need to find this child. Jeremiah, get Stephen to watch the sheep. We're going to Bethlehem. (they start to gather their things)

Kemiel: (wipes her brow) Whew! Thanks, Afriel.

Afriel: Isn't there something else you're supposed to do?

Baruch: Oh, yes. We need to send them on their way ...

(Baruch turns and raises her hands toward the sky. A powerful light envelops them all and the shepherds look up -- and drop to their knees.)

End Scene Four

Scene Five: The Stable
(Setting: The stable in Bethlehem. A cow, a horse, and a sheep are standing around the manger. Periodically, as they talk, one of them will lower their head to nibble at the straw that's in the manger.)

Cow: (thoughtfully, munching) I've got one for you: cold hands. Nothing worse than cold hands waking you up in the morning. (shivers)

(The horse laughs and the sheep nods sympathetically.)

Sheep: Yeah, what's up with that? Do they think we don't sleep?

Cow: They never ask me. Sure, I have to be milked twice a day, but does it have to start at the crack of dawn? (munches) I don't know what they're thinking sometimes.

Sheep: Just like they decide I don't need my fleece anymore when spring rolls around. It still gets mighty cold some nights -- a little insulation would be nice.

(The horse laughs again and reaches down for more straw. Galmon and Bathor walk in; the animals don't seem to pay any attention at first.)

Cow: (without looking at the angels) Okay, who are these two? First it was that guy and his wife and now these two. I was looking forward to a nice, peaceful night.

Sheep: I guess we can kiss that good-bye.

Galmon: Uh -- excuse me, there are other people here.

Cow: (looks sideways at the sheep) You can understand us?

Bathor: Perfectly.

Sheep: How?

Galmon: That doesn't matter. We've come to ask for your help.

Cow: Sorry, I've already been milked twice today. Come back at dawn. Better yet, how about nine o'clock?

Sheep: And I still need my wool, thank you. It's cold out.

Galmon: We don't want your milk or your wool. There's a woman about to have a baby over there.

Cow: I know, she's been keeping us up.

Bathor: It's almost over now, but she's going to need a place to lay her son when he's born. There is no bed here, no cradle for him.

Sheep: Then maybe she shouldn't have had him in a stable.

Galmon: She didn't have much choice. But you -- all of you -- have a place for him.

Cow: Where?

Galmon: Right there -- the manger you're eating from. He could lie there safely and be warmed by the straw.

Cow: The manger?

Galmon: Yes.

Cow: My manger?

Galmon: That's right.

Cow: (after a pause, steps around in front of it) Sure, you can have my manger -- when you pry it from my cold, dead hooves.

Bathor: But we need it. He needs it.

Cow: I don't have much, but I do have this, and I'm not giving it up.

Sheep: (steps around in front of it, stands shoulder to shoulder with the cow; the horse joins them) Yeah. This is our stuff. He has no right to it and neither do you.

(Afriel walks onstage, looks the situation over.)

Afriel: She's about ready, Galmon. Is there a problem?

Galmon: We need the manger to put the child in. The animals here aren't willing to give it up.

Afriel: (to the animals) Is that true?

Cow: I think we've been pushed around long enough -- two legs bad, four legs good.

Afriel: I see. (pause) Do you know where all this comes from? The manger, the straw, this stable -- even the very earth this stable is cut from?

Cow: God, of course. Any calf knows that.

Afriel: That's right. And do you know where the child back there comes from? All children are a gift from God, but this child -- this child -- is even more special.

Sheep: How's that?

Afriel: He is the Son of God. He is God come to Earth in human form. (walks over to the animals, touches them each on the head as she speaks) Every child has a future that it carves out for itself -- except for this one. His future has already been planned. And we must help him take his first steps toward that future today. You were all babies once. You know how important it is to feel loved and secure.

Cow: (grudgingly) Yes.

Afriel: Then you know that would be the right thing to do for this child -- even if he wasn't the Savior.

Cow: Yes, ma'am. (She steps aside; the other animals step aside, also. Galmon smiles, steps forward, and picks up some fresh straw and puts it in the manger as Afriel raises her hood and steps back.)

(Joseph walks in with a bundled baby. Bathor points toward the manger.)

Bathor: I think that would be a good place for him to rest, sir.

Joseph: (uncertain) What about them? (he nods toward the animals)

Bathor: I don't think you have anything to worry about.

(Joseph lays the baby in the manger and steps back as Mary comes onstage, also. They look at the baby lovingly as the animals look on.)

Galmon: What will you call him?

Mary: Jesus. His name is Jesus.

(The other angels arrive and take up positions around the manger, but the others don't seem to notice them. As they watch, the Archangel arrives and walks over to Afriel who is looking on, smiling. The Archangel is wearing a hooded white cloak.)

Archangel: Well?

Afriel: He's beautiful.

Archangel: All babies are. It's like watching the future being created every time they're born.

(Afriel nods)

Archangel: You all did a good job tonight. You helped things happen the way God wanted them to.

Afriel: You know, being an angel is a tough job sometimes, but somebody has to do it.

Archangel: It's going to much tougher when this young man grows up.

Afriel: What do you mean?

Archangel: The time will come when you won't be able to help him. The time will come when we all must turn our backs on him.

Afriel: I don't understand.

Archangel: It will all be explained -- when the time comes.

Afriel: So, it's part of God's plan?

Archangel: It's part of God's promise.

(The wise men arrive and approach the manger with awe.)

Archangel: You know, they wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.

Afriel: (shrugs) They just needed someone to give them some direction.

Archangel: (shakes head) Not that.

Afriel: What do you mean?

Archangel: Remember that nothing job you were doing a couple of thousand years ago?

Afriel: Star patrol?

Archangel: The day Moses led his people out of Egypt you were exploding an old, worn-out star. (points up) The light from that explosion is just reaching Earth now. Afriel, you lit the beacon that brought the wise men here.

Afriel: But, that was so long ago!

Archangel: God has a plan for everybody, Afriel. We just have to trust him. No matter how insignificant you think your role might be, it's all part of God's plan.

Afriel: So, what happens to me now? What happens to him?

Archangel: He'll have a normal childhood -- and you will help to watch over him. And one day ... one day....

Afriel: One day, what?

Archangel: I'll tell you when the time comes. For now let's just enjoy the moment -- and remember, God has a plan. He has a plan for all of us.

The End