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Five Advent moments (Sketches) |
1 The Annunciation
Gabriel sits down on a stool beside Mary. Neither knows who each other is. Mary is dressed traditionally, Gabriel in anorak and jeans.
Gabriel: Is this seat free? I'd love a wee rest.
Mary: Help yourself.
Gabriel: (talking to himself and taking out a map)
Thanks. Now let me see, where should I start? I knew this was never going to be easy,So few instructions.
It'll be fine, they said. But they aren't the ones having to get the post through.
Mary: Can I help you?
Gabriel: If only you could. I'm trying to find someone.
Mary: Anyone in particular?
Gabriel: Well, yes, in actual fact.Someone very particular. I'm here to spring a surprise, though I'm not sure how she'll take it.
Mary: Like a singing birthday telegramme?
Gabriel: Well no, not a bit like that at all.
Mary: Oh. And you don't know where they stay.
Gabriel: Oh yes, I know where she stays exactly,but she isn't in at the moment.A fine time to be out. The neighbours told me she was down here in the market somewhere.
Mary: It is kind of busy to look for her here. What does she look like?
Gabriel: Well, that's a bit of a problem because I don't know. This is such a haphazard way of delivering messages.
Go down to Narazeth, they said, and there you will find.. Well, all I've found is an empty house, a busy market place,and me running out of time.
Mary: Would you like me to deliver the message for you.I'm sure I?ll remember.
Gabriel: If you heard it, I'll be sure you'll never forget. You see between you and me I've got a message for a young girl that she's going to have a baby.
Mary: How Lovely! She'll be so excited. You'd better hurry and find her. Isn't she expecting to hear from you?
Gabriel: Well, no, not exactly.She's not expecting anything, not me, not a message, and certainly not a baby. She knows nothing about it.
Mary: Nothing?
Gabriel: Nothing. As I said, it's a bit of a surprise.
Mary: That's a bit of an understatement. Typical man.
Gabriel: It does make it a little awkward certainly,but I'm sure she'll come round.
Mary: Really?
Gabriel: Well, wouldn't you?
Mary: No, I don't think I would. You don't just apply for a baby and expect it here by post the next week.
It's a big thing, you ought to be ready for the child, live with a little hope because of it, recognise the good things it will bring,
believe the world can change through this baby.
Gabriel: I never thought of it like that.
Mary: Why am I not surprised!
Gabriel: But you see this pregnancy is a bit different, it's not quite above board.
Mary: Oh do tell me more! This is getting interesting.
Gabriel: Well, and mind you keep this to yourself, this baby is heaven's own. It's full of promise and hope. It's going to be a sign that things will change.
Mary: Can't every birth be like that?
Gabriel: True, but this is God-breathed. This is miraculous, This is beyond this world.
Mary: U-huh, like every birth.
Gabriel: You're not getting my drift. There's no father but God. There's no man involved.
Mary: If only!
Gabriel: No, really. This life comes from heaven. It's salvation in the flesh. It's God doing something in the world, transforming it,
turning all the prophecies about redemption into reality.
Mary: Are you sure you are in the right place?
Gabriel: Absolutely. Anyway, I really must be going, I've got to find Mary and give her the news. I'm sorry, I never introduced myself,
I'm the angel Gabriel, and you are?
Mary:Mary!
back to the top
Mary and Joseph are sitting facing each other.
Joseph:But Mary?
Mary:But what?
Joseph:But how?
Mary: But it just is!
Joseph: But it can't be!
Mary: But it is!
Joseph: But it can't be!!
Mary:But it is!!
Joseph: But no!
Mary:But yes!
Joseph:But how?
Mary:But I don't know?!
Joseph:But you must?
Mary: But I don't!
Joseph: But an angel!
Mary: But an angel!
Joseph: But how?
Mary: But don't go there!
Joseph:But not me? (disappointingly)
Mary:But not you (sympathetically)
Joseph: But are you sure?
Mary:Joseph!!!
Joseph: But what will we do?
Mary: But what can we do?
Joseph: But we should get married!
Mary: But when?
Joseph: But soon?
Mary: But who?
Joseph: But where?
Mary: Now?
Joseph: No buts there!
Mary: But are you sure?
Joseph: But is there a choice?
Mary: But what will people say?
Joseph: But do we care!
Mary: But I'm scared?
Joseph: But don't be?
Mary: But why not?
Joseph: But God seems in charge!
Mary: But do you believe me? (surprised)
Joseph: But why not?
Mary: But really?
Joseph: But really!
Mary: But Joseph. (relieved)
Joseph: But Mary.
Mary:But what will we do?
Joseph: No more buts, just trust.
Mary: Just trust?
Joseph: Just that!
Mary: Just that?
Joseph: Just that!
Mary: Just a bit worried.
Joseph: Just a bit! (both begin to wander off)
Mary: Just hope things are okay?
Joseph: Just come on!
Mary:Just now?
Joseph: Just now!
A mime artists follows through their interpretation of the suggested actions in response to various well-known pieces of music being played live if possible.
Music: While humble shepherds
Shepherd making self comfortable.
Yawns
Slumps shoulders
Looks at nails and back of hand
Looks around
Rest head in hands
Begins to fall asleep
Nodding off
Music: Rumble
Shepherd jars self awake
Looks around
Music: While humble shepherds
Shepherd begins to fall asleep
Nods off
Music: Rumble
Shepherd staggers with fright
Looks under hay stack
Behind hay stack
Out to congregation as if saying, "Did you make that noise?"
Music: While humble shepherds
Shepherd makes self comfortable
Settles down
Music: Hallelujah Chorus
Shepherd bounces off hay stack
End up on bottom of the ground
Looks out to congregation
Face in shock
Scared, with hands out front
Cowers down on knees
Music: Hark the herald
Looks up
Face relaxes
Points to self as if, "Me?"
Then shakes hands and heads saying "No, do you expect me to believe that?"
Continues the dialogue between "Me" and "No, I can't believe that"
Look at watch as if going on too long
Look disbelievingly at it
Listen to it
Shake it
Music: Hallelujah Chorus
Cowers again in fright
Cover eyes because of the light
Strain to see better
Begin counting the angels that have just arrived
Give up
Music: O Little Town
Point incredulously off stage as if saying, "Bethlehem? No way?"
Then "Me" Surely not?"
Music: In the bleak
Shiver with arms round you as if making an excuse
Yawn as if another excuse
Limp as if yet another excuse
Music: Away in a manger
Reluctantly accept you've to go by miming "Shucks"
Put on a cloak
Pick up staff
Cuddly toy
Nappies
And walk down aisle
back to the top
One character plays this monologue but their conscience make up the other two characters known at "the three wise men".
Even though the story never mentions number, kingship or anything else about the scholars, this plays with that tradition to illustrate making your mind up about choosing to follow.
Facing centre: Well, I could follow that star,
Or I could stay at home.
Facing left: On the one hand, if I followed the star I would be a while away from home.
I'd have to leave things behind for quite a while.
Facing right: On the other hand, of course, It's the chance of a lifetime.
Imagining finding a new star.
It's not something you ignore. You have to follow that do you not?
Facing centre: It's a big decision I'll need to weigh up.
If only both sides of my conscience knew the wise thing to do.
If only I knew the wise things to do.
That would make three wise men.
We'd get nowhere making a decision.
Facing centre: And what would I take? What do you take on a journey like this?
I'm not sure what it is all about.
Facing left: On the one hand I should be practical.
I need to think of what I'd need for the journey:
Food and shelter,
Money and clothes,
Camels and tents.
Facing right: On the other hand It would be pointless going on a journey Only to arrive with the wrong things.
I should be thinking about gifts.
Who knows what?s at the journey?s end
But what I take should be worthy of the destination.
Facing centre: Big decisions.
I'll write a list.
This is like three people trying to make one decision.
I'll never get organised.
Facing centre: And if I were to take some gift,What should it be?
Facing left: On the one hand gold would be fabulous.
Such a rich gift.
Fit for a king.
And who knows, if a new star appears in the sky,
It must be about something royal.
Facing right: On the other hand,
Myrrh may be a good choice.
Very expensive.
And good for anointing
It's something you could use, unlike gold that just sits there
Facing centre: But then,
Maybe frankincense would be better.
Oh, I don't know!
One part of me says this,
And another part of me says this,
Maybe I should just take all three.
Facing centre: And how will I find my way?
It's all very well setting off on a journey,
But what direction should I go in?
Facing left: One voice in my head is saying,
Just go with the flow,
Follow the star.
Journey in the evening and at night.
Make it an adventure.
Trust the sign.
Facing right: And another voice is saying,
Ask when you get there.
If it is a king you've to find,
Seek out another king Who will know.
Facing centre: And then maybe I should be prepared to do both:
Journey and seek out,
Follow the star and ask directions when I need to.
This is like having a three way conversation with myself:
Three wise men in my own head.
It's a bit crowded.
Facing left: "Yes, I should go", says one voice.
Facing right: "No, you should stay" says a second voice.
Facing centre: "Sleep on it," says a third.
I'll just take a wee look at that star again.
Hey it's moved over the horizon!
Better go and check it out.
I'll be back before bedtime.
But I'll just put these gifts in my pocket just in case?
Mary sitting with a lit candle on stage and the narrator off stage.
Narrator: And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Mary: My Spirit soars,and everything inside me clenches as heaven finds a foothold within me binding itself to me,
flesh of my flesh, life from my life, and the promise awakens.
Narrator: From now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is his name.
Mary: My heart thuds,scared of what is becoming of a mighty God buried within me, flesh of my flesh.
How can my small form contain the full on hope of a nation,yet still, in me, the promise awakes.
Narrator: His mercy extends to those who fear him,from generation to generation.He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
Mary: My lungs fill with the breath of life, for now I breathe not only for myself, but for God too,
tucked away within me, flesh of my flesh, cooried away from this world for a short moment,by my skin,as the promise awakens.
Narrator: He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
Mary: My throat sings a song of justice and liberation,of the rich left out in the cold,and the poor gathered round a feasting table,
as flesh of my flesh stirs and kicks with life, and the promise awakens.
Narrator: He has helped his servant Israel,remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,even as he said to our fathers."
Mary: My skin shines as my God within me stretches, labouring in the name of justice,labouring in the name of peace.
Flesh of my flesh, becomes God of very God, as the promise, the choice my God has made in me, awakens and pushes into the world.
Proclama mi alma la grandeze del Señor
Two women read this. The Spanish version spoken in the background
continually, repeating if necessary. The other voice breaks in with
each stanza in a laboured, heavy sort of presentation. Slow, heavy
music is played in the background (aka Jeff Buckley, Hallelujah).
Play the music during the introduction too.
This week we heard about the death of Augusto Pinochet of Chile, one
of many Latin American D
dictators who found the worlds of Mary too pointed, too direct, to
frightening, and banned them. But that never stopped the women of
Chile, whose husbands had been disappeared, to speak them openly in
the squares, directing Mary’s words to those in power as they spoke
them. You’ll hear the Magnificant in Spanish, the language of those
mothers and wives with English words spoken alongside not to
interpret them, but to give them meaning, to speak for them when
these others had been silenced. And to affirm what Mary did, in
choosing to become God’s handmaid.
Voice 1
Continues reading this throughout
Proclama mi alma la grandeza del Señor,
se alegra mi espíritu en Dios mi Salvador, *
porque ha mirado la humillación de su esclava.
Desde ahora me felicitarán todas las generaciones, *
porque el Poderoso ha hecho obras grandes por mi;
su Nombre es santo.
Su misericordia llega a sus fieles, *
de generación en generacion.
El hace proezas con su brazo;
dispersa a los soberbios de corazón.
Derriba del trono a los poderosos,
y enaltece a los humildes.
A los hambrientos los colma de bienes, *
y a los ricos despide vacíos.
Auxilia a Israel, su siervo, *
acordándose de la misericordia,
Como lo había prometido a nuestros padres, *
en favor de Abrahán y su descendencia para siempre.
Voice 2
My soul glorifies God.
Hear, O my sisters, who labour under the weight of womanhood,
my brothers who cling on to decency scraped out from the fragile earth.
Voice 2
My soul glorifies God.
Hear, O my sisters, whose husbands have been disappeared
and whose sons have no language for the fear they are left with.
Voice 2
My soul glorifies God.
Hear all you who are weighed with broken hallelujahs,
whose world is trapped in a deception
of abuse and prejudice.
Voice 2
My soul glorifies God.
Hear all you caught up with your enemy,
who have struggled with the reason for war too long,
and found it absurd.
Voice 2
My soul glorifies God.
God has at last chosen a handmaid in me,
and has a craving to birth hope within me,
ravenous to elevate freedom,
set free liberation,
and pronounce justice for the poor,
thirsty to bring from my womb
life to all our longings.
God as appointed the time and the place,
the woman and the womb.
Hear O my sisters.
Hear O my brothers.
And tell yourselves,
tell the world,
tell God,
I say,
yes!