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NARRATOR |
Once upon a
time, a long time ago in a far-off land (because all good stories start like
that) three kings met together for a deep philosophical discussion; about
the ontological meaning of life, the eschatalogical significance of entropic
decay, the existential interpretation of naturalistic phenomenology and the
shockingly high price of coffee.� Heavy stuff like that.� Suddenly
there appeared a bright new star shining clearly in the evening sky.�
For a while they were puzzled - until the first of the kings realised its
significance and explained to the others. |
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Patrick Moore voice |
KING 1 |
It's obviously
an intergalactic quasar and it's over a million million miles away - the
temperature at the surface is a trillion times hotter than our sun and its
light is incredibly intense.� One day, Man will send ships up to the
stars to explore and quantify, to experiment and catalogue.� Meanwhile
... is there any coffee left? |
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NARRATOR |
The other two
kings pondered on this.� It was all very well knowing WHAT it was, but
what did this new star SIGNIFY?� The second of the kings consulted his
reference books at greater length - and shared his conclusions with his
colleagues. |
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|
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Russell Grant voice |
KING 2 |
The moon is in
its second phase and resides in the third house of Aquarius.� With Mars
in the ascendancy I could be lucky in love.� I will meet a tall, dark,
handsome stranger.� I may have problems with money but can overcome
these difficulties with wisdom.� Lucky number 5.� Hey, could
either of you lend me a fiver? |
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NARRATOR |
Neither of
them could.� Despite the deliberations of his two friends, the third
king was not satisfied with either of their suggestions.� Throughout
the evening he had thought deeply about the heavenly apparition.�
Finally, thoughtfully, he said ... |
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|
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Total panic! |
KING 3 |
It's a UFO!�
It's probably full of little green men!� They'll take over the earth!�
We'll all be eaten!� Don't just sit there - let's run away and hide!�
Help! |
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|
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NARRATOR |
Meanwhile. on
the hillside outside Bethlehem were a number of simple, peaceful shepherds
watching over their sheep.� All at once, the sky shone with a brilliant
light and a shining angel appeared, saying ... |
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ANGEL |
Fear not - for
I bring tidings of great joy.� Unto you this day in the City of David,
is born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.� And you shall find the
baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. |
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|
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NARRATOR |
The shepherds
were startled, amazed, flabbergasted.� They had never seen anything
like it.� It wasn't long before one of them made up his mind what to
do. |
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Aside, to audience |
SHEPHERD 1 |
I must be
going crazy; completely flipped.� I thought I saw an angel!� If I
say anything to the other two they'll have me carted off to the "funny
farm".� I'll just pretend nothing's happened.� Er .... nice
evening isn't it? |
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NARRATOR |
Of course,
they couldn't all deny what they'd seen, and one of the other shepherds soon
realised what was going on. |
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SHEPHERD 2 |
Did you see
that shimmering light?� I reckon it was something "weird".� A
ghost maybe, or a spook!� A ghoulie!� A ghostie!� A long-leggedy
beastie! Ooh!� I'm not staying here all night: I should be at home,
safely tucked up in bed - especially as it's Christmas. |
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|
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NARRATOR |
But the third
shepherd did not believe in witches and spooks - nor "things that go bump in
the night".� He did not scare so easily.� Well - not much ...
|
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|
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Total panic! |
SHEPHERD 3 |
It�s a UFO!�
It's probably full of little green men!� They'll take over the earth!�
We'll all be eaten ... in shepherd's pie!� Don't just sit there - let's
run away and hide!� Help! |
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|
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NARRATOR |
What if it HAD
happened something like that?� What if the kings had rationalised and
explained away the star ... instead of coming to worship the baby Jesus?�
What if the shepherds had thought it best not to get involved ... instead of
humbly seeking out the Son of God?� What if ... no, it's silly ... What
if ... YOU dismissed the whole thing out of hand?� But then, of
course, you wouldn't ... would you? |
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- END - |
