Summary: A monologue by Mary right after the birth of Jesus. This was written as part of an Advent series. Others in the series are Silent Thoughts, Gabriel, and The Temple Pair.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: Approx. 5 minutes
Actors: 1F
Characters
Mary
Script
Mary: I count them, ten fingers, ten toes. This tiny little life entrusted to me. This man child, no this God child, this long-awaited Messiah, this Emmanuel, this God with us.
He is beautiful, but I’m sure all mothers feel that way about their child. I look into his eyes, the eyes that will one day look into mine and see my heart. The eyes that will one day see pure evil, but will also see pure holy. This child who is pure holy.
I look forward to his toddler steps, first words. His hot breath on my neck, as he goes from active boy to sleeping child. His clumsy hands bringing me drooping bouquets of wildflowers, clenched in his tiny hands. One day they will clench again, this time in pain. Will I see that, too?
Every mother wonders what her child will be when they grow up, but I, I know. I know what he is, who he is. I know what he will become. And I wonder will I have the grace to stand and watch it happen? Will I be able to stand back and let him fulfill his destiny?
The words of Isaiah the prophet go through my head, as they have been for months. “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
I don’t want to see this tiny life broken, I don’t want to see my life broken. What have I been called to? Oh Father, how? How can I? How can you?
He wraps his tiny fingers around mine and I hold on. One day I will share him with the world, but for now, he is mine. He is mine to hold. Mine to comfort. Mine to love. I will hold on to every moment I have with you and treasure each of them and maybe, just maybe in those dark moments I can pull them out and remember.
Remember who you are and why you are here. Someday I will call you Lord and Savior, but today, today I will just hold you close and call you mine.
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© Michelle Patterson, All rights reserved.
This script may be used free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged to a performance. In exchange, the author would appreciate being notified of any occasion the poem is used in public performance. She may be contacted at: