Description

A reading which looks at the incidents leading up to and surrounding the birth of Jesus, and of some of the older people who were involved in that drama.

Cast: 2 readers Likely, but not necessarily, older actors

Bible Reference: Micah, Luke 1, Matthew (taken from The Message translation)

Sample of script:

Reader 1:
But you, Ephrathah, (Ef-raw-thaw) Bethlehem, David's country, the runt of the litter– From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He'll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished.

Reader 2:
Just like so many other prophets before me, I, Micah, in my old age, prophesied regarding the importance of the little town of Bethlehem. Ephrathah, (Ef-raw-thaw), an insignificant little town in an insignificant region. Bethlehem, in the shadow of Jerusalem, what an unlikely location from which to bring forth the long awaited Messiah. Throughout the land people mocked me! “There goes old Micah,” they jeered! “He who would have us believe the myth of a coming ruler, a triumphant king!”
And so with these foolish words on their lips they went back to their worship of Baal, and of Anath, (a-nawth) his consort. Such idolatry, that we a nation liberated by Moses from bondage in Egypt, who were called to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, that we would succumb to worship of Baal! Was it only we, the elderly, that realized that Ephrathah, (Ef-raw-thaw), Bethlehem, was also the birthplace of our ancestors, Ruth, and Jesse. And of King David himself.
But, as is the duty of the older generation, I continued to prophesy about the coming of the Messiah!

Reader 1:
Many men endeavoured to ordain the telling of things, which be filled in us. So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story's beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.

Reader 2:
I, Luke, am a doctor, a man of scientific mind. In my old age I was determined to set right the accounts of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, the Christ. Well, truth be told, in reality, it was not I who wrote the account, I was merely used as the instrument as God set down the account for future generations. There must be no doubt of the truth of his coming, his ministry, his words and deeds. It is the duty of we, the elders in his church, to influence future direction by reminders of past history and fact.

Reader 1:
During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah (Ab-awe-juh). His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old. It so happened that as Zachariah was carrying out his priestly duties before God, working the shift assigned to his regiment, it came his one turn in life to enter the sanctuary of God and burn incense. The congregation was gathered and praying outside the Temple at the hour of the incense offering. Unannounced, an angel of God appeared just to the right of the altar of incense. Zachariah was paralyzed in fear.

Reader 2:
My one opportunity to serve in the temple. Many labor throughout their life yet never get this opportunity. And when, in my old age, finally my opportunity came I fell short. The angel of God left me speechless. And mine was not a private condemnation of my lack of faith and understanding. For months, until after the birth of my son, all who knew me knew of my shame. The younger men, those to whom I should have been an example to follow, they were witness to my situation. Yet, strangely, somehow, God used my predicament as an example to all who would follow. Could it be that God can use all aspects of we, the elders, both our successes and our failures, as lights to guide those younger than we?

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