The Fourth Gift

The Fourth Gift

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.

	JOSEPH	Come along, Mary, it's been another busy day and you need all the rest you can get.
Slightly weary	MARY	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.
Hesitant	JOSEPH	It may be soon, but ... do you think you'll be ready to travel ...?
Comforting	MARY	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.
Whispering - a little frightened	MARY	Do you think ....
Worried - but reassuring	JOSEPH	Don't worry ... he'll be alright.
Joseph crosses to the door.		Who is it?
Voice off	VISITOR	A visitor ... From the East ... Do you understand?
	JOSEPH	From the East?
Voice off	VISITOR	To see the baby. This is the place, isn't it?
Opening door carefully	JOSEPH	Yes ... but ... the others ...
Entering - slightly disappointed	VISITOR	Have they been already?
	JOSEPH	Yes, they came ...
Interrupting	VISITOR	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.
Gently	MARY	That's what the others said.
	VISITOR	And did they explain the meanings?
Hesitant	JOSEPH	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.
Taken aback	VISITOR	Myrrh!
Gravely	JOSEPH	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.
Reassuring	VISITOR	Yes, yes, of course.
Firmly and calmly	MARY	No. It DOES mean death.
Sadly	VISITOR	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?
Shrugs	VISITOR	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.
A little flustered.	JOSEPH	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.
Calmly	MARY	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.
Quoting Scripture	JOSEPH	"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 -
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.
CLICK HERE for a Spanish translation of "The Fourth Gift"