Style: Dramatic. Duration: 1 minute.
Actors: 3M/F, 1F
Scripture: Luke ch. 1 vv 26 to 32 (taken from “The Message” version).
Characters :
P = Producer .
1 = 1st reader.
2 = 2nd reader.
M = Mary
(n.b. use actual names of the two readers in the sketch.)
Script
(All 4 are on stage all the time, but Mary is at the side or the back, perhaps just sitting with hands on her lap, until No.2 speaks, at which she starts to take an interest.)
P : Now look, we only have a few minutes before this Christmas service starts, and this rehearsal has been terrible so far. These verses from Luke’s Gospel are very serious verses, and we must show how important they are …… (no.1) , let’s hear you again, one more time .
1 : (serious, but utterly monotonous and without expression). God sent the angel Gabriel to see Mary. Gabriel greeted Mary by saying : “Good morning Mary, God has a surprise for you. You will give birth to a son, and call him Jesus. He will be great …..”
P : (interrupting during these last words) Stop, stop! ….these are not only important words, they describe one of the most exciting moments in the history of Christianity ….. (No.2) you try, and let’s have some feeling, some passion ….
2 : (by contrast to no.1, no. 2 is totally OTT, hamming it up, arm movements, the lot). God sent the angel Gabriel to see Mary. Gabriel greeted Mary by saying : “Good morning Mary, God has a surprise for you. You will give birth to a son, and call him Jesus. He will be great …..”
P : (again interrupting, clearly very distressed) Stop, stop ! …..(as an aside) If only one of us had actually been there …..”
Mary : (stepping forward, perhaps gently pushing herself to the front) : I was there. (others freeze and stare at her while she speaks. The rest of this is spoken with the clarity and passion of a first-hand witness, and with warmth, as one would share an exciting memory with friends. It must be learned off-by-heart, not by reading lines.)
God sent the angel Gabriel to see me. I remember he greeted me by saying, “Good morning, Mary, God has a surprise for you. You will give birth to a son, and call him Jesus. He will be great, he will be called the Son of the Highest ; there will be no end to his Kingdom …..” (as she finishes, she hugs herself with memory of the occasion, while smiling at the others).
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