Theme:       Christmas radio drama written by Australian author Graham Scott gives a view, (with some comedy), into what was going on in the time of the birth of Jesus.

 

Bible Reference:      Luke 2

 

Cast:         10 (many can be m or f)
Narrator
Aviva (Announcer)
Natasha (reporter)
Mary
Joseph
Ruth (Innkeeper’s wife)
Peter (Weather bureau)
Zachariah (Stock exchange)
Marcus Pietus (Roman centurion)
Epstein (rabbi)

 

Set:          Set blank with chairs and a table(s) for Aviva, Peter, Epstein and Zachariah.
Natasha will have a mic and will wander interviewing the others.
The set could be dressed up to show a radio studio with signs, etc.

 

Sound:       individual mics on the table and a handheld mic for Natasha

 

Costumes:    likely, but not necessarily, traditional

 

Time:        12 minutes

 

Sample of script:

 

Narrator:     Jesus was born into a world already organised along tribal and national levels and they each had their different festivals. In the Middle East that meant tensions between the local Israelites and the Roman conquerors especially when their festivals clashed. What was this world really like for Jesus and his family?
Today through the wonders of modern technology and the use of an anachronistic bubble gum wrapper we can show you what life was like when he was born.  Listen carefully:-

 

Aviva:       Welcome to Radio JER Jerusalem. My name is Aviva and this is the morning’s BCE program where we make your news digestible. And the top story for today, the 24^th of December, is the impact of the Census on the lives of ordinary Jewish citizens.
But first the weather:

 

Peter:        There is a cold front moving down from Anatolia through Syria and we hope it makes Governor Cyrenius cold too. Expect icy winds to force 3 in Samaria. The Lake Galilee fishing fleet has been confined to port, which will mean Hanukkah celebrations will be muted this year. Wind lessening as it reaches Judea. Snow and sleet still expected to hit Jerusalem and surrounding areas but will lessen when it reaches Hebron.

 

Aviva:       Thank you Peter at the Weather Bureau.
But how is the census affecting ordinary folk? We cross now to Zachariah at the Jerusalem Stock Exchange.

 

Zachariah:     The mass movement of people across Judea had had a profound effect on stocks and the shekel has dropped in value.  While the tourism sector is flourishing – up 15 points – the slave trade has bottomed. No one wants to pay for slave upkeep while they are just travelling. Food prices are down but the donkey trade is beginning to pick up.

 

Aviva:       And for an interesting personal story here is Natasha.

 

Natasha:      Good morning Aviva. I have here Joseph and Mary from the northern town of Nazareth and they are travelling all the way south to Bethlehem. That is a long way to go. Joseph, why are you going so far?

 

Joseph:       I have to. The rule is that we have to be counted in the town of our tribal house and I am of the house of David.

 

Mary:        And so am I.

 

Joseph:       Yes but you’re not counted.

 

Mary:        I may as well be.  I’m pregnant and my son may be born some time on the trip.

 

Natasha:      If you are pregnant Mary how are you going to make the journey?

 

Mary:        We have a donkey and I’ll ride on that.

 

Joseph:       The weather is so bad. I worry about Mary and I hope I have enough dry clothes to keep her warm. Getting food and shelter along the way is my main concern. Prices have sky rocketed. You wouldn’t believe what they are charging for dried fish these days! Someone is making a killing.

 

Aviva:       Thank you for that insight Natasha. And now to find out how this census is working out let’s hear from Marcus Pietus, centurion in charge of Jewish Mass Movement.  Good morning Marcus, how are the census arrangements going?

 

Marcus:      This is a bit of a mess at the moment. It was all going to be simple when we had everyone in their own homes. But when the Rabbi’s got into the act and had the Governor allow them to do it by the Jewish tribes we have had people moving all over the place. Asher and Naphtali are fine; they haven’t moved much but the Benjaminites are scattered all over the place. Having them wandering around is not good for public order.

 

Aviva:       Where are the hot spots for you?

 

Marcus:      Jerusalem is an obvious drawcard with people from Ephraim and Gad coming in as well.  And Bethlehem has surprised us.  All these people trying to get there saying they are related back to David. Great Jupiter, how many wives did the man have? We can’t control all these wanderers.  I’m thinking of building a wall.

 

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