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The Fourth Gift |
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This reflective sketch is ideal for a Christmas service and provides a useful springboard for a message on "Jesus, the light of the world", reminding a Christmas audience of the Easter message. The pace is gentle and relaxed - but be careful not to stop altogether.
The significance of the sketch depends on the candle. See the footnote.
SCENE: Mary and Joseph are onstage, perhaps seated at a rough table.
COSTUME: As for nativity scene. The visitor should not be too elaborate.
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| JOSEPH | Come along, Mary, it's been another busy day and you need all the rest you can get. | |
| MARY | Slightly weary | It takes a lot of getting used to - having a baby to look after. |
| JOSEPH | As well as all the visitors. | |
| MARY | I know! We've had more people call on us here than we ever had in Nazareth. | |
| JOSEPH | Hesitant | It may be soon, but ... do you think you'll be ready to travel ...? |
| MARY | Comforting | You're still worried about that dream, aren't you? |
| JOSEPH | Yes, I am. I don't want anything to happen to the child. | |
| MARY | I know ... but he'll be alright. | |
| There is a knock at the door. They both react. | ||
| MARY | Whispering - a little frightened | Do you think .... |
| JOSEPH | Worried - but reassuring | Don't worry ... he'll be alright. |
| Joseph crosses to the door. | Who is it? | |
| VISITOR | Voice off | A visitor ... From the East ... Do you understand? |
| JOSEPH | From the East? | |
| VISITOR | Voice off | To see the baby. This is the place, isn't it? |
| JOSEPH | Opening door carefully | Yes ... but ... the others ... |
| VISITOR | Entering - slightly disappointed | Have they been already? |
| JOSEPH | Yes, they came ... | |
| VISITOR | Interrupting | And I tried so hard to catch them. |
| MARY | You mean ... you know them? | |
| VISITOR | Yes. Well ... no. I know OF them. I had intended to come WITH them, but I was delayed. It took me a while to find the gift. | |
| MARY | Another gift!? | |
| JOSEPH | That's really very kind of you. | |
| VISITOR | It's a gift with a meaning. I suppose you already know that. | |
| MARY | Gently | That's what the others said. |
| VISITOR | And did they explain the meanings? | |
| JOSEPH | Hesitant | No ... but we've talked about it ... |
| MARY | And we've worked it out. | |
| JOSEPH | Some of it, anyway. | |
| VISITOR | So you know how special he will be? | |
| MARY & JOSEPH | Yes. | |
| VISITOR | The gifts ... if you don't mind me asking ... what did the others bring? | |
| JOSEPH | They were very generous. One of them brought gold. More gold than I've ever seen before. If only they had come a little earlier I might have been able to offer a lamb for the child, instead of turtle doves. But then, that might have looked suspicious from a poor carpenter ... and we don't need any trouble. Already it seems we may need the money to help us escape to safety ... to Egypt. | |
| VISITOR | Escape? | |
| JOSEPH | It seems King Herod has heard about the child and knows he is born to be a king. | |
| MARY | That's what the gold means. It is the symbol of a king. | |
| VISITOR | I see. And what did the others bring? | |
| MARY | Frankincense. The symbol of worship. You see ... he is not just an ordinary king. The messenger said he was a "child of God". I've often thought about those words and I believe our little child will one day become a king of a different kind. Not just an earthly king but one before whom people will bow in worship. | |
| VISITOR | I understand. And the third? | |
| There is a slight pause - a kind of awkward silence. | ||
| JOSEPH | The third ... brought myrrh. | |
| VISITOR | Taken aback | Myrrh! |
| JOSEPH | Gravely | The symbol of death. |
| There is a brief pause before Joseph tries to turn the conversation in a different direction - for Mary's sake. | ||
| JOSEPH | A mistake perhaps. It could mean anything. | |
| VISITOR | Reassuring | Yes, yes, of course. |
| MARY | Firmly and calmly | No. It DOES mean death. |
| VISITOR | Sadly | I fear you may be right. I was told very clearly what I should bring. I am sure the same applied to the others. Sadly, it is unlikely they were mistaken. |
| MARY | And it does mean death? | |
| VISITOR | Shrugs | For those who are different, the way is never easy. For your son ... ? |
| JOSEPH | Gold ... Frankincense ... Myrrh | |
| MARY | A king ... Worship ............ Death. | |
| VISITOR | I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. | |
| JOSEPH | A little flustered. | Forgive us ... we shouldn't be bothering you with our problems. Have you come far? Of course you have! How did you know where to find us? |
| VISITOR | The star ... | |
| JOSEPH | Of course ... I'm sorry ... I'm not thinking straight. | |
| MARY | Calmly | Would you like to see the child? |
| VISITOR | Yes, I would ... but perhaps I should give you the gift. | |
| The visitor goes to get the gift. He returns with a lighted candle, which he gives to Mary. | ||
| MARY | Thank you. Is it also a symbol? | |
| VISITOR | I was told clearly what to bring. | |
| There is a pause as all three look at the candle. | ||
| JOSEPH | Quoting Scripture | "Arise, shine, for your light has come - and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." |
| MARY | Jesus - "the light of the world". | |
| The visitor leans across and blows out the candle! Joseph is quizzical. Mary is calm. After a few seconds, the candle re-ignites. | ||
| JOSEPH | Gold ... Frankincense ... Myrrh. | |
| MARY | A king ... Worship ... Death ... | |
| All three realise the significance of the re-igniting candle. Joseph and Mary look at each other, their eyes brim with tears ... but they smile. | ||
| - END - | ||
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FOOTNOTE: The entire significance of "The Fourth Gift" depends upon the candle re-igniting. Hence, close attention to this particular prop is essential. Re-igniting candles can be obtained from "joke-shops" or from shops supplying cake decorations. You may only be able to obtain tiny ones (intended for birthday cakes): in which case, it will be necessary to construct a larger, false candle of which your tiny sample forms the tip. You should practice in advance how to blow out the candle in such a way that it WILL re-ignite.
You may prefer to rig up a false, battery-operated candle with a simple switch. I have seen the sketch done this way and personally feel that it lacks the impact of a real candle.
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CLICK HERE for a Spanish translation of "The Fourth Gift"
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