Narrator: 1 Peter 1:10 12 says Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Heaven has always affected Earthly events. Angels have always watched as God dealt with the pride of His creation Man.
But now Earthly events seem to be affecting Heaven, and this is most perplexing especially for two Angelic beings who Long to look into these things'
Parrot, standing at lectern brushing hair/ moustache.
Rushforth: (reading from paper ) It says in the angelic times that Zachariah is to be the presiding priest this year Parrot.
Henri Parrot: Rushforth, this is a matter most interesting,
Rushforth: Why? They change these chaps every year.
Henri: Ah yes but I found yesterday an order for Gabriel to meet with him.
Rushforth: Gosh! What do you think this means?
Henri Parrot: I do not know but the day before, I noticed the Lord was getting his affairs in order. I think we need to keep our little eyes and ears open.
Freeze frame - scripture reading Luke 1: 5 20
Back to Henri and Rushforth still reading paper and at mirror.
Scene 1 continued
Rushforth: Ah look Henri that nice couple, Elizabeth and Zachariah are going to have a baby. They have waited so long and prayed so hard. The Lord must have granted their request.
Henri Parrot: (to himself) Ahha, unbelief, that explains it.
Rushforth: Explains what?
Henri: Why we have the report back that Zachariah is dumb.
Rushforth: I say that's a bit much, old chap. I know that he's not that bright but ..
Henri Parrot: No I mean he cannot speak.
THEY WALK OFF.
Hymn: Oh come all ye faithful
Rushforth: I see Gabriel has been sent on another of his missions.
Henri Parrot: Very interesting.
Rushforth: Not really Henri as Gabriel's normally sent on these missions.
Henri Parrot: Ah but this time he, I believe, is visiting the lady Elizabeth's Cousin, Mary who is to be married to Joseph, of the line of David.
Rushforth: Oh a wedding, what joy.
Henri: But Gabriel, he carries with him a Declaration from our Lord, I caught sight of the Gold envelope.
Rushforth: Oh my. I haven't seen one of those in ages.
ENTER MARY AND GABRIEL STAND FACING ONE ANOTHER - WHILE SCRIPTURE IS BEING READ
Scripture reading Luke 1 : 27 38
EXIT MARY AND GABRIEL
Henri: (Pacing back and forth) Rushforth I am most concerned, The Lord seems to have disappeared.
Rushforth: Oh I say Parrot, and that young lady who was to marry Joseph, appears to be with child. What an absolutely ghastly thing to happen! And Guess what she claims here it was by the Holy Spirit.
Henri Parrot: I knew no good would come of sending Gabriel on these missions.
Rushforth: Ah, But it says here that Joseph, due to some persuasion, is still going to marry her. Isn't he a good sort?
Henri Parrot: This is a mystery most perplexing.
Rushforth: Also old Caesar is ordering a census to be taken. And each man has to go to his own place of birth. So old Joseph will have to go to Bethlehem I suppose. I wonder if he will take Mary with him?
Hymn Oh Little town of Bethlehem
Rushforth: This census has caused so much turmoil you know Henri. And dear old Mary and Joseph have had terrible trouble finding a place to stay. So they've had to be put in a shed with all those smelly animals, imagine that.
Henri Parrot: I'd rather not, but you know it is interesting as one of our angels has been assigned to watch over them. And what's more there is still no sign of the lord.
Rushforth: What not even an A- Mail?
Henri: A What Rushforth
Rushforth: an A-Mail (pause) Angelic Mailing, it's all the rage Parrot, you really must keep up with the times.
Henri: I keep up by using my little grey cells. However this may be a time to call in the C.I.A.
Rushforth: Oh I think we would get into trouble calling in human help, especially the Americans.
Henri: Rushforth I mean the Cherubim Intelligence Agency'
EXIT DISCUSSING POSSIBILITY
ENTER MARY AND JOSEPH WHILE SCRIPTURE IS BEING READ
SIT ON SEATS THEN JOSEPH PASSES MARY THE BABY DOLL
Scripture reading: Luke 2:1 7
Henri Parrot: (In a panic) Rushforth this is most upsetting, we have been called to go on duty tonight.
Rushforth: Oh I do say I was planning on this evening for polishing my wings.
Henri Parrot: But Rushforth it is worse. We have been called on to go to a cold hillside to be beside a load of smelly sheep.
Rushforth: Sheep!
Henri Parrot: Well shepherds any way. We have to proclaim to the shepherds peace on earth and good will to all men.
Rushforth: Peace, Goodwill. I know the Lord loves them but He's pushing it a bit there, is He not.
Henri: Then we have to sing glory to god in the highest.
Rushforth: Sing! Ahem ahahahahahahahahah .
Henri Parrot: This is no time for fooling about Rushforth. Now where are my thermal undies?
Scripture reading Luke 2:8 - 14
WHILE SCRIPTURE IS BEING READ ENTER SHEPHERD/S AND SIT ON FLOOR AT SIDE
ENTER ANGELS (INC. HENRI AND RUSHFORTH) AND GO TO SHEPHERD/S
And/or A band of Angels' by John Hardwick.
EXIT ALL
RE-ENTER HENRI AND RUSHFORTH
Henri Parrot: (FREEZING!) I have never been so cold in all my life! And I have a headache with all that singing and that bright light.
Rushforth: I know it was rather weird sending all those chaps of to see Mary and Joseph. What a lot of fuss over this new baby.
Henri Parrot: I don't know whose idea it was to send us out on a night like that! Babies are wonderful but I think there is a bit too much fuss over this one. I would also like to know where the lord has gone I am still having trouble getting him on his mobile. You know better than anyone that I have trouble with those things as it is.
Rushforth: Quite. Thinking back now I don't remember him taking it with him.
Scripture reading: Luke 2:15 - 20
WHILE SCRIPTURE IS READ RE-ENTER THE SHEPHERD/S AND GO AND SIT BESIDE MARY AND JOSEPH
Hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks
ENTER HENRI AND RUSHFORTH HENRI IS READING A PIECE OF PAPER
Henri: Rushforth, I think we must go with haste to speak with the Angel who watches over Jerusalem .
Rushforth: Why's that, Henri?
Henri: This is because there is coming to the City a people most important.
Rushforth: I say, who?
Henri: Wise men who travel from far in the East.
Rushforth: Why would they want to come to Jerusalem .
Henri: This Rushforth is what we need to find out
EXIT BOTH
Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1 - 8
Hymn: As with Gladness men of old
RE-ENTER HENRI AND RUSHFORTH
Rushforth: Well, what did you make of all that, Parrot?
Henri: It was most interesting. Magi, who saw that seemly ridiculous new bright star. And have come all this way to find the King of the Jews, The Messiah, the Anointed one. Bring gifts of great wealth.
Rushforth: Yes, but what did you think to those Priests and Scribes who sent them to Bethlehem ? I mean that's a bit of a coincidence is it not, it being the same place as all this hoo haa with those shepherds and that Baby.
Henri: Yes, a bit too much of a coincidence if you ask me. And that Herod was a little too keen to find out the details of their visit. I do not trust that man. No, Rushforth we need to go for ourselves to see what is happening.
Rushforth: We will need permission for that sort of thing.
Henri: Ah yes, but this arrived this morning. A dream delivery to these magi, I will volunteer us for the job.
Scripture Reading Matthew 2: 9 - 12
AS SCRIPTURE IS READ ENTER MAGI AND GO TO MARY AND JOSEPH LEAVE GIFTS AND JOIN SHEPHERDS.
Rushforth: Ok Parrot, I am a little confused.
Henri: It is a mystery very wondrous, is it not Rushforth? But we must look at the facts.
Rushforth, the key to this whole thing is this Baby.
For God so loved the world John Hardwick