Christmas 2012 - The Not So Wise Man- based on a story by Alan MacDonald
Opening Scene:
Narrator: Ashtar was wise, the wisest in the land, so people said. He lived alone in a tall windswept tower at the top of a hill.
(During this Ashtar comes in and goes up to the pulpit.)
Narrator: People came from far and wide to listen to Ashtar’s great learning. The crowded around his tower and listened to him teach.
(People come in and stand around looking up at the pulpit.)
Narrator: Ashtar told them about a time to come when a great king would be born.
OMENA: “A wise man should be ready, for this child will come from straight from heaven.”
Narrator: When the last visitor had gone, Ashtar looked up and out the window and gazed up into the sky, as he did every night. The starts shone like diamonds. Ashtar knew each one and counted them off. Suddenly he stopped. His heart gave a leap.
There in the midnight blue was the sign he’d been waiting for- a new star in the sky.
He ran downstairs and threw his books and clean P.J.s into his bag.
A Wise man travels light.
The star was calling him to follow. The king from heaven was about to be born and Ashtar longed to see the child for himself.
(Piano plays “WE Three Kings”…. and narrator moves to the PULPIT)
(Ashtar comes down and follows the star around the sanctuary—up the center aisle and then down from “stage left” The “wise people” enter from stage right and meet in the middle at the end.)
Narrator begins as Ashtar and the (STAR) come towards the front.
Narrator: All that night he journeyed, following the bright star. He crossed great mountains and crept by villages sleeping under the pale moon.
At last, crossing the plain he met some travelers dressed in silks and furs-
Wise 1: “WE have come a long way and our camels are tired –
Wise 2: Do you know anywhere we can find water?”
(Ashtar put his hand to his ear and listened, he raised his finger to check the wind…)
Ashtar: “Over that hill you’ll find a pool of water where you can rest and drink.”
Narrator: The travelers marveled at Ashtar’s wisdom. They asked him to join them on their journey.
Wise 3: “WE are also following a star, why not come with us?”
Ashtar: “NO, a Wise man travels alone.”
Narrator: Eager to be on his way, Ashtar left the travelers and set off on his quest again.
(Piano player - plays “O’ Star of wonder Star of light” as Ashtar and STAR walk around)
(Ashtar and the Star carrier--- Cross the front of the church and go up the LEFT side aisle- “Wise People” go out the sanctuary door.--- Star and Ashtar come down the center. Meanwhile Shepherds set up on the steps in the center.)
Narrator begins when Ashtar and STAR get to the front of the church.
Narrator: The next night, Ashtar heard voices calling. Shepherds came out of the darkness, carrying torches.
Ashtar : “What are you looking for?”
Shepherd : “We lost one of our sheep.”
(Pointing to the tuft of wool-)
Ashtar : “follow that trail into the woods and you will find your sheep”
(Shepherd goes out and come back in w/ a sheep.)
Narrator: The shepherds found the sheep just as Ashtar had said. They begged him to stop and warm himself by the fire. Stay and visit with us for it isn’t often we meet such a clever man.
Ashtar: “No thank you, a Wise man has no time to spare.”
(Angels come in from the altar door and stand behind the shepherds)
(Ashtar follows the star up the center aisle.)
Narrator: (as music begins to play) Ashtar rode on his way, thinking it must be the wind singing so softly over the hills. Please join us in singing one verse of Angels we have Heard on High page _____ in ___________song book.
AFTER the SONG. (Ashtar and comes back down the left side. The Star Carrier goes up to the altar and places the star in the center of the altar area. (Maddie and Novo leave)
(Ashtar stops at the lectern by baptismal font)
Narrator: Before long he reached a small town and knocked on the door of an INN.
Inn Keeper : There is NO room! how many times to I have to tell people?
Ashtar: “ A wise man would put a sign on the door”
INN Keeper: puts up a sign that says NO Room.
(Mary and Joseph come by and look and walk on by up to the middle of the altar space under the star.)
Narrator: The Inn Keeper watched the little family go by and was delighted. To show Ashtar how thankful he was he promised him a room for the night.
(Ashtar comes up and sits in the liturgist seat)
Narrator: Past midnight, Ashtar woke up. The star shone through his window, filling the room with golden light. Ashtar dressed quickly and went out. He walked through the still, silent streets, searching. Perhaps it was in this very town that the child from heaven would be born.
(Ashtar walks across the front and up a few rows and back and forth…..All the other players –shepherds, angels, wise people come and stand around the manger….. Ashtar stops in front of the pulpit. Holds up his hand to his ear…)
Narrator: At last, beside a small inn he came to a stable. Ashtar could hear cows inside; there were sheep and a donkey. He wondered who could own so many animals. But it was none of his business. A wise man sticks to his plan and doesn’t get sidetracked- after all—the Wisest man in all the land knows that a stable is no place for a king to be born.
Narrator: Sighing deeply, Ashtar turned back and went on his way.
(Ashtar walks up the center aisle)
Narrator: The wisest man in all the land was going home, none the wiser.
Please join us in singing one verse of “Away in a Manger” page _______ in _______ hymnal.
THE END!!
