by mary lou williams - christian publishers - christmas ... · by mary lou williams....

HOW FAR IS ITTO BETHLEHEM?

by Mary Lou Williams

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How Far Is Itto Bethlehem?

An audience participationdrama for Christmas

by Mary Lou Williams

CAST OF CHARACTERS

NARRATOR

SCRIPTURE READER

MARY

JOSEPH

INNKEEPER

WISE MAN 1

SADDUCEE

WISE MAN 2

PHARISEE

WISE MAN 3

SPY

ANNE

CHILD

SIMEON

SHEPHERD

SHEPHERD’S WIFE

INNKEEPER’S WIFE

TABITHA

JONATHAN

TARA

CRIPPLED WOMAN

SOLDIER

SUPPLY MAN

ELIZABETH

ZECHARIAH

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This perusal script is for reading purposes only.No performance or photocopy rights are conveyed.

PRODUCTION NOTES

This script was originally written to be a spontaneousproduction that doesn’t need rehearsal. In the author’s homecongregation, many persons like to take part in this popularservice. They need only stand in place when it is their turn tospeak. (For this reason, entrances and exits are not noted in thestage directions, though they could be added at the discretion ofthe director.) “They are very good at becoming the characterand feeling a part of the Nativity,” the author reports.

Children may learn their lines and go up to the manger andinteract with the baby Jesus (doll) or Mary and Joseph.

Costumes need not be introduced at all, or you may opt forsomething easy — a mere representation of the character(crowns for the wise men, for example).

Props are optional with the exception of a doll to represent thebaby Jesus, which gets placed in the hay-filled manger at thefront. You might also have grapes for Tabitha and a stuffedlamb for Jonathan.

The songs suggested are all traditional, well-known carols. Theymay be sung congregationally or solo. They may also beperformed as instrumental solos. Feel free to substitutecontemporary Christmas songs of your choosing.

The Scripture quotations are from the King James version. Youmay use a modern translation instead if you prefer.

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ORDER OF SERVICE

SONG: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

SHARING TIME

SCRIPTURE: Micah 5:2

OFFERING

HOW FAR IS IT TO BETHLEHEM?

Verse 1 of poem: “How Far Is It to Bethlehem Town?”

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten” (May be performed asa reading)

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”Luke 2:1-5MaryJosephInnkeeper

“We Three Kings” (Originally a flute solo)Matthew 2:1-10Wise Man 1SadduceeWise Man 2PhariseeWise Man 3Spy

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”Luke 2:6-7MaryJosephMary

“What Child Is This?”AnneChildSimeon

“Angels We Have Heard on High”Luke 2:8-15ShepherdShepherd’s WifeInnkeeper’s Wife

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“Silent Night”Luke 2:16-19TabithaJonathanTaraChild

“Away in a Manger”Crippled WomanSoldierSupply ManElizabeth, Mother of JohnZechariah

“The First Noel”

Verse 2 of poem: “How Far Is It to Bethlehem Town?”

SERMONETTE: Pastor

SONG: “O Holy Night”

PRAYER

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(NARRATOR and SCRIPTURE READER are in placebehind the pulpit.)

NARRATOR: (Reads verse one of poem.)“How far is it to Bethlehem town?”Just over the Jerusalem hills a-down,Past lovely Rachel’s white-domed tomb —Sweet shrine of motherhood’s young doom.

It isn’t far to Bethlehem town —Just over the dusty roads a-down,Past wisemen’s well, still offeringCool draughts from welcome wayside spring;Past shepherds with their flutes of reedThat charm the wooly sheep they lead;Past boys with kites on hill-tops flying,And soon you’re there where Bethlehem’s lying,Sunned white and sweet on olived slopes,Gold-lighted still with Judah’s hopes.*

Each year we take time to retell the birth of ourSavior Jesus Christ. All over the world, people arefamiliar with it. They may believe it with all their being,or they may think it a charming legend, or they mayscoff at it and those of us who do believe. That is eachperson’s own decision.

But as you listen and partake in this service ofworship, we hope you feel God’s presence. How far arewe from Bethlehem in miles, in feelings, in spirit?

Bethlehem is a very small town. It was in Bethlehemthat Boaz met Ruth, that Jesse lived with his eight sons,including the future King David. It was foretold it

* Madeleine Sweeney Miller, “How Far Is It to Bethlehem Town?” in JamesMadison Morrison (ed.), Masterpieces of Religious Verse, Harper & BrothersPublishers, New York, 1948.

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would be the birthplace of the future descendant ofDavid who would rule all Israel.

Bethlehem is five miles south of Jerusalem. It was aplace where caravans going from Jerusalem to Hebroncould stop for provisions. And it was to Bethlehem, thecity of David, that a descendant of David, a carpenter,took his wife in answer to the demands of AugustusCaesar for a census tax.

What were the people thinking as they hurried toBethlehem on that night two thousand years ago? Wecan only guess.

SONG: “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” — 1 verse (Read or sungas a solo)

SONG: “O Come, All Ye Faithful”SCRIPTURE READER: “And it came to pass in those days,

that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus,that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing wasfirst made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Andall went to be taxed, every one into his own city. AndJoseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city ofNazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which iscalled Bethlehem; (because he was of the house andlineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his espousedwife, being great with child” (Luke 2:1-5).

MARY: I’m not going to ask again. I’m a grown woman. I’llsoon be a mother. I am the wife of Joseph thecarpenter of Nazareth. But my back hurts and my legshave gone to sleep. I’d try walking, but I’m afraid I’dfall. I hurt all over, and there’s a lot more of me to hurtnow. I’m huge, and I’m hungry. At least the crowdshave cleared. I hope they have a room left by the timewe get there. Joseph, how far is it to Bethlehem?

JOSEPH: Stay calm. Don’t let her see you’re worried. Noone is going to bother us. They can see we are poor anddon’t have anything worth stealing. But there’s no one

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to help, either. I know Mary is close to her time. Please,God, don’t let it be just yet. Let us find shelter and help.It can’t be that much farther. How far is it toBethlehem?

INNKEEPER: This is impossible. I’ve never seen so manytravelers. I don’t have any more room in my inn. I don’thave any more food. We have one more cask. Where isthe supply train? Where is someone to help me? Howfar away are they? They must have left Jerusalem. Howfar is it to Bethlehem?

SONG: “We Three Kings”SCRIPTURE READER: “Now when Jesus was born in

Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,behold, there came wise men from the east toJerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of theJews? for we have seen his star in the east, and arecome to worship him. When Herod the king had heardthese things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem withhim. And when he had gathered all the chief priestsand scribes of the people together, he demanded ofthem where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: forthus it is written by the prophet, ‘And thou Bethlehem,in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princesof Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, thatshall rule my people Israel.’

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wisemen, enquired of them diligently what time the starappeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Goand search diligently for the young child; and when yehave found him, bring me word again, that I may comeand worship him also. When they had heard the king,they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in theeast, went before them, till it came and stood overwhere the young child was. When they saw the star,

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they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:1-10).WISE MAN 1: If I were really a wise man, I would never

have started on this journey. I would be home in myown country with my own people in comfort, not on theback of this smelly rocking camel. If he spits one moretime, I’ll … I don’t know what I’ll do. I shouldconcentrate on why I’m here, on why we three are here.I’ll concentrate on the star that will lead us to the child.We lost it before we reached Jerusalem. But there it isagain. How far is it to Bethlehem?

SADDUCEE: I am a Sadducee. It is a good thing I was therewhen those kings came. I was able to remember theprophecy of Micah. Maybe now they will make me achief priest, as I deserve. Those Pharisees don’t have aclue if it isn’t a law. I’ve never been to Bethlehem, adirty little village. How far is it to Bethlehem?

WISE MAN 2: The star! Look there — it’s back. I wasbeginning to think we were going to fail in our questto find the child. But now I know we will make it. Ithas been so long since we left home. How muchfarther? How far is it to Bethlehem?

PHARISEE: I am a Pharisee. We spend our lives studyingthe laws and the Scriptures. I could have told thosekings that the king they seek will be a child. But no oneasked me. Baalam foretold a star would be a sign of thebirth. But no … Herod called on the Sadducee priestwho finally came up with Bethlehem from the writingof Micah. I wonder if he knows — how far is it toBethlehem?

WISE MAN 3: This is a strange land we have traveled to.You would think a king would know about the birth ofanother king, but Herod knew nothing. Lucky he hadsomeone who knew of the prophecy of a king to beborn in Bethlehem. I don’t think Herod liked that. Heasked that we find the child and return and tell him so

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he could come and worship him. I have a bad feelingabout doing that. I don’t want to cause harm to a child.How far is it to Bethlehem?

SPY: I don’t like this at all. I have never been a spy before.Herod would get it into his head to send me to followthose wise men. He trusts no one. Can’t say I blamehim. If I had double-crossed as many people as he has,I wouldn’t be trusting anyone either. While it was darkit was easy, but as we approach Bethlehem, it isgrowing brighter from the star. They said a star hadled them, but who believed that? Must be a coincidence.How far is it to Bethlehem?

SONG: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”SCRIPTURE READER: “And so it was, that, while they

were there, the days were accomplished that she shouldbe delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son,and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him ina manger; because there was no room for them in theinn” (Luke 2:6-7).

MARY: At last we’re here. And you’re almost here too, mylittle son. Soon we can both rest. Soon. Please, God,soon.

JOSEPH: Mary, there is no room for us. Every inn is fulland loud. But there is a place we can be alone. It’s astable. But it is clean and warm, and the innkeeper’swife has some food for us and a blanket. This is notwhat I wanted for you and the Child.

MARY: I know, Joseph. It will be good. But we need to gonow. The Child is ready. How far is the stable? I hopeI am ready. (Pause) I wish my mother were here.

SONG: “What Child Is This?”ANNE: I had a dream that frightens me. I dreamed my

daughter Mary would not return for many years. Whatdoes it mean? What could have happened? I must findout. I must find Jochabed and ask if we can go and

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find out. How far is it to Bethlehem?CHILD: How far is it to Bethlehem?

Is it very far?Can I see the babyIf I go by plane or train or car?Papa says the baby grew up many years ago,That we call him JesusAnd we love him so.But sometimes I think I would like to beA little child in BethlehemSo the baby I could see. (CHILD takes doll and puts in manger.)

SIMEON: The time is near. God promised I would see thechild, and I feel it is near. Maybe this week, maybeeven tonight. I am old, yet God promised I would notdie until I saw the Christ. Perhaps I will be able to holdhim. According to the Scriptures, he will be born inBethlehem. My mind forgets. How far is it to Bethlehem?

SONG: “Angels We Have Heard on High”SCRIPTURE READER: “And there were in the same

country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watchover their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lordcame upon them, and they were sore afraid. And theangel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring yougood tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David aSaviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped inswaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenlythere was with the angel a multitude of the heavenlyhost praising God, and saying, Glory to God in thehighest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Andit came to pass, as the angels were gone away fromthem into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing

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which is come to pass, which the Lord hath madeknown unto us” (Luke 2:8-15).

SHEPHERD: We never should have brought the sheep. Theyare slowing us down. But we couldn’t leave them. Theywould have scattered everywhere. Sheep frighteneasily. But when the angels appeared, they didn’t move.They watched and listened as the angels sang. Even thedogs are quiet. They don’t even seem to be tired. Maybewe can make it tonight. How far is it to Bethlehem?

SHEPHERD’S WIFE: Look at that star, how bright it is. Iwonder if my husband can see it out in the fields withthe sheep. I must remember to ask him when he returnsfor supplies in a few weeks. I miss him. But what’s thatI hear? The sheep’s bells. That can’t be. They wouldn’tbring the sheep back now. It’s too far. How far is it toBethlehem?

INNKEEPER’S WIFE: I wish my husband would return. Hewent to try and find more supplies. We are out ofeverything. How can I handle the inn all by myself withmore people coming all the time? Why did they ordereveryone to come at once? Anyone could tell that thisvillage is too small to handle this many people. I’m gladI saved a blanket and food so I could help that youngcouple. Her baby will be born tonight. I think I’ll gocheck on them. Let me think — what else do I have tohelp these people? How can I feed them? Where can myhusband be, and how far is it to Bethlehem?

SONG: “Silent Night”SCRIPTURE READER: “And they came with haste, and

found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in amanger. And when they had seen it, they made knownabroad the saying which was told them concerning thischild. And all they that heard it wondered at thosethings which were told them by the shepherds. ButMary kept all these things, and pondered them in her

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Thank you for reading this free excerpt from:HOW FAR IS IT TO BETHLEHEM?

by Mary Lou Williams.

For performance rights and/or a complete copy of the script,please contact us at:

CHRISTIAN PUBLISHERSP.O. Box 248 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406

Toll Free: 1-844-841-6387 - Fax (319) [email protected]

by mary lou williams - christian publishers - christmas ... · by mary lou williams....

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