The Magi
Drama
Six Advent Plays for Children
Object:
Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.
-- Matthew 2:2
Characters
Reader
Narrator
Caspar
Melchior
Balthasar
Mary
Joseph
Baby
Herod
Darian
Chief Priest
Toddler
Angel
Scene One
(A young man sits on a stool in the center of the stage. He has before him a crude measuring instrument that looks like a sextant with a long string attached. In his hand is a tablet on which he writes. Off to the right is a curtain from which Melchior and Balthasar appear. An elevated area is located at far stage left with a small spotlight for the dream sequence.)
Instrumental Music
"Brightest And Best"
Reader: In the East, a young apprentice astronomer discovers the "Star of Bethlehem." When the Wise Men reasoned out that this star was announcing the birth of a "Ruler of the Universe," they set out with their gifts to visit this king, and pay him homage. When they arrive in Jerusalem and inquire of Herod regarding this new king, they receive a rather strange reception. When they find that this king was to have been born in Bethlehem, they set out to find him. Since the Wise Men from the East have been traveling for a long time since first sighting the star, they find a young child, Jesus, living with his family in Joseph's carpenter shop.
Upon discovering the whereabouts of Jesus, they present their gifts to him. The Wise Men, warned in a dream that Herod intends to destroy the child, leave immediately by another route and warn Joseph to do the same.
Narrator: Somewhere in the East, a young apprentice diligently plots the heavens.
(Caspar sits on a stool using an instrument and marks on a chart. He is very intent on his activity. Melchior comes from behind a curtain.)
Melchior: (kindly) Now, son, have you worked out your chart yet? (studies chart, then frowns) I cannot understand how a young man as intelligent as you, could be so careless. Why can't you plot the distance between two stars? How could you come up with a star in between? It's unthinkable!
Caspar: But, Father, I have plotted the distances three times, and always, it is the same. I don't know what I am doing wrong!
Melchior: (looking at chart and shaking his head) This is all wrong. I don't understand. Your figures are correct between Saturn and Jupiter, but just why did you put this star in between?
Caspar: Because that is what I see. Here, Father, look for yourself.
(Melchior reluctantly steps over to the sextant and repeats the measurements.)
Balthasar: (comes into room and bows lightly to Melchior) Good morning, master. Caspar, let me tell you about the dream I had last night. It was so real... as if the Almighty were speaking to me.
Caspar: A dream, Balthasar? What was it about?
Melchior: (looking through sextant) Mumble, mumble, mumble...
Balthasar: There was a beautiful woman and she was very young. She was holding a baby. A man stood beside her with his arms about her shoulders. They were dressed -- dressed as ordinary Judeans, but, there was a special glow about them. There were angels singing all around them and a great, bright star above them.
Instrumental or Choir
"Brightest And Best" (v. 1)
Caspar: A baby?
Melchior: A star?
Balthasar: And angels were singing.
Caspar: What could it mean?
Melchior: (moving away from sextant and looking serious) A star? A baby? This is a great mystery. (shakes his head) Son, you were right. There is a new star in the heavens... very large and bright. One I have never seen before.
Balthasar: Could the new star be the one in my dream?
Melchior: I shall go into the room of wisdom and see what the ancients have said. Now, Caspar, Balthasar, chart where that star is in relation to the earth. (strides from the room)
Balthasar: Caspar, write down these figures as I chart the heavens.
(They busily plot and figure. Looking through the sextant, they both try to be in the same place at the same time. Caspar pops up under Balthasar and gets tangled in the string.)
Melchior: (returns with scroll from the back room) I have found it! There is an old and established belief, that it is fated, a man from Judea will rule the world. "You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you" (Deuteronomy 15:6b).
Caspar: Ruler of the whole world? Could this be the meaning of my dream?
Balthasar: Certainly, now it makes sense.
Melchior: (with authority) We must go to see this king and pay him homage. We shall begin preparations for the trip. Balthasar, have you learned where we should look?
Balthasar: It is in the west, in the land of Judah.
Caspar: Can I go, Father? I found the new star... oh, Father, I want to go... I have to go with you.
Melchior: It is a long and dangerous journey, my son, but, very well, get your things together. (turning to Balthasar) Now Balthasar, prepare provisions and notify the king's guards to establish a caravan. I shall go to the treasury house and select gifts suitable for a king.
(All go in different directions. Caspar returns with a bag and puts on his cape. The others return dressed in their kingly robes, each carrying a traveling bag. They leave, going down the center aisle. Melchior leads, Balthasar next, and finally Caspar properly walking behind the others.)
Scene Two
(Spotlight on a manger scene at left stage area.)
Instrumental
"We Three Kings" (v. 1)
(A chair is placed on center stage [the fanciest one you can find] and Herod takes his place on his throne. Magi walk slowly up aisle with Caspar walking eagerly in front. They pause midway down the aisle.)
Melchior: (pointing to where King Herod is seated on a throne) It is only proper that we first seek out the ruler of the Judeans.
Caspar: Father, the star is not over Jerusalem; it is to the south.
Balthasar: Melchior, the chart clearly shows...
Melchior: It is customary to consult with the present ruler before entering his country. We shall go to Jerusalem.
(They approach the throne of Herod. His advisor stands beside him. Herod stomps his scepter on the floor and whispers to Darian, his advisor.)
Darian: Herod, our esteemed ruler, allows you to approach the throne.
Herod: (threateningly) Who are you? Where do you come from? What do you want?
Melchior: (bowing before Herod) Herod, O wise and great ruler of Judea. We come in peace. Our names are Melchior, Balthasar, and Caspar. We are from the tribe of Mede of the Empire of Persia.
Balthasar: We have seen a new star. A beautiful, brilliant, and exciting star. And we have had a vision of a newborn king who will rule the whole world.
Caspar: And we have come to worship him and pay homage.
Melchior: Could you tell us where this new king could be?
Herod: (angrily, to Darian, his advisor) A new king? In Judea? Why have I not heard of this before?
(Darian looks surprised and frightened, then shrugs his shoulders.)
Herod: Darien. You are my chief advisor. Why have you not told me?
Darian: Herod, O great, wise ruler. Let us consult with the Chief Priest and see what he has to say.
Herod: So be it.
(Darian leaves and returns with the Chief Priest.)
Chief Priest: (bows low) O Herod, great ruler, you have sent for me?
Herod: (angrily) What is this I hear about a new king being born in Judea?
Chief Priest: O, great one. The scriptures say (unrolls scroll), "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you will come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel" (Matthew 2:6).
Herod: (pointing to Melchior) You. Yes, you're the one. Come up here.
Melchior: Yes? O great ruler.
Herod: (cunningly) And, just when did this star first appear?
Melchior: We began our trip as soon as we could get a caravan together after my son, Caspar, discovered the new star. We have been traveling for several months.
Herod: (smiling craftily and rubbing hands together) Bethlehem is spoken of as the birthplace of a ruler. Go and make a careful search for the child. And, if... when, you find him, return and tell me all about it so that (smiling with an evil look) ... so that I too may go and worship him. Heh heh.
(Magi leave, going down right aisle with Melchior leading. The lights dim.)
Scene Three
(Herod's throne is replaced by a table at which Joseph is hammering on a piece of wood.)
Instrumental
"We Three Kings" (v. 2)
(Magi march back up the left aisle -- Caspar eagerly leading the group. They meet Joseph working at a carpenter's table.)
Caspar: Good morning, sir.
Joseph: Greetings strangers. Have you just arrived in town?
Balthasar: We have come a long way and are very tired. Do you know of an inn close by?
Joseph: The inn is at the other end of town, but we would consider it an honor if you would stay in our humble home while you are in Bethlehem.
Caspar: Yes, Father. Could we? Could we?
Melchior: Thank you for your generous offer. We will be pleased to do that.
(Joseph leads the way as Caspar and the others enter the house.)
Joseph: Mary, we have guests. Prepare one of your fine meals and prepare the spare room.
Mary: (to Caspar who enters first) Greetings, young man. You are a stranger in Bethlehem. What is your name?
Caspar: Good morning, ma'am. My name is Caspar.
Melchior: (striding up to the door and bowing lightly) Greetings. I am Melchior, master of the study of the universe. And this is my assistant, Balthasar, and my son and apprentice, Caspar. We are from the tribe of Mede, from Persia.
(The men make themselves comfortable around the table. Caspar and the toddler [about a year and a half old], sit on the floor where they play quietly. Mary brings out the meal.)
Joseph: Have you been traveling very long?
Balthasar: We began our journey several months ago.
Melchior: We made this trip to find a very special child that is destined to rule the universe.
Balthasar: We saw his star and it led to your village.
Caspar: Do you know of such a child?
Joseph: Mary was visited by God's angel who told her that she would be wonderfully blessed.
Mary: The angel said: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:30b-33).The town was crowded so we could not find a room at the inn. The good innkeeper allowed us to stay in his stable behind the inn where Jesus was born.
Joseph: The night that Jesus was born we were visited by Shepherds. They had come from the fields. They told us that Angels had appeared before them and had told them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10b-11). And that is how the shepherds found him.
Instrumental (played softly throughout scene)
"We Three Kings"
(Magi bow before child.)
Melchior: We are honored to have found him. We have brought gifts we wish to give the king.
(Balthasar goes to side and retrieves his bag and returns to hand out his gifts. He gives one each to Melchior and Caspar and one for himself.)
Melchior: (lays gift beside child then bows low) To the ruler of the universe, I bring gold.
Balthasar: (lays gift beside the child then bows low) For the light that shines upon the nations... accept this myrrh as my gift.
Caspar: (lays gift beside child then bows low) To the Lord of mercy and grace, I offer frankincense.
Angel: (from side stage)
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley, 1744
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy in every longing heart.
(Spotlight goes to an elevated area where Herod is standing, a sword in his hand. Lights go out and then on to symbolize time. Each person enters beginning with Caspar who sits on floor with the child. The others sit at the table, Mary brings breakfast.)
Balthasar: (seriously) I had a dream last night. Your ruler, Herod, was very angry. He was shouting and acting like a mad man waving a sword above his head.
Caspar: Oh, how awful...
Joseph: What could it mean?
Melchior: We have been warned. Herod seeks to destroy the holy child. He fears his throne.
Caspar: Oh no, not Jesus.
Melchior: We shall leave immediately by way of the south. We shall not go near Jerusalem. Herod shall never know.
Balthasar: Caspar, come help me prepare for the journey.
(Mary picks up Jesus. Balthasar and Caspar go out together.)
Melchior: Joseph, you should consider finding a safer place to live.
Joseph: You may be right. We shall prepare to leave immediately.
(All return with bags, say their farewells and leave, going back down left aisle. They get halfway down the aisle when Caspar stops, sets down his bag, turns to look back, and waves at Jesus.)
The End
-- Matthew 2:2
Characters
Reader
Narrator
Caspar
Melchior
Balthasar
Mary
Joseph
Baby
Herod
Darian
Chief Priest
Toddler
Angel
Scene One
(A young man sits on a stool in the center of the stage. He has before him a crude measuring instrument that looks like a sextant with a long string attached. In his hand is a tablet on which he writes. Off to the right is a curtain from which Melchior and Balthasar appear. An elevated area is located at far stage left with a small spotlight for the dream sequence.)
Instrumental Music
"Brightest And Best"
Reader: In the East, a young apprentice astronomer discovers the "Star of Bethlehem." When the Wise Men reasoned out that this star was announcing the birth of a "Ruler of the Universe," they set out with their gifts to visit this king, and pay him homage. When they arrive in Jerusalem and inquire of Herod regarding this new king, they receive a rather strange reception. When they find that this king was to have been born in Bethlehem, they set out to find him. Since the Wise Men from the East have been traveling for a long time since first sighting the star, they find a young child, Jesus, living with his family in Joseph's carpenter shop.
Upon discovering the whereabouts of Jesus, they present their gifts to him. The Wise Men, warned in a dream that Herod intends to destroy the child, leave immediately by another route and warn Joseph to do the same.
Narrator: Somewhere in the East, a young apprentice diligently plots the heavens.
(Caspar sits on a stool using an instrument and marks on a chart. He is very intent on his activity. Melchior comes from behind a curtain.)
Melchior: (kindly) Now, son, have you worked out your chart yet? (studies chart, then frowns) I cannot understand how a young man as intelligent as you, could be so careless. Why can't you plot the distance between two stars? How could you come up with a star in between? It's unthinkable!
Caspar: But, Father, I have plotted the distances three times, and always, it is the same. I don't know what I am doing wrong!
Melchior: (looking at chart and shaking his head) This is all wrong. I don't understand. Your figures are correct between Saturn and Jupiter, but just why did you put this star in between?
Caspar: Because that is what I see. Here, Father, look for yourself.
(Melchior reluctantly steps over to the sextant and repeats the measurements.)
Balthasar: (comes into room and bows lightly to Melchior) Good morning, master. Caspar, let me tell you about the dream I had last night. It was so real... as if the Almighty were speaking to me.
Caspar: A dream, Balthasar? What was it about?
Melchior: (looking through sextant) Mumble, mumble, mumble...
Balthasar: There was a beautiful woman and she was very young. She was holding a baby. A man stood beside her with his arms about her shoulders. They were dressed -- dressed as ordinary Judeans, but, there was a special glow about them. There were angels singing all around them and a great, bright star above them.
Instrumental or Choir
"Brightest And Best" (v. 1)
Caspar: A baby?
Melchior: A star?
Balthasar: And angels were singing.
Caspar: What could it mean?
Melchior: (moving away from sextant and looking serious) A star? A baby? This is a great mystery. (shakes his head) Son, you were right. There is a new star in the heavens... very large and bright. One I have never seen before.
Balthasar: Could the new star be the one in my dream?
Melchior: I shall go into the room of wisdom and see what the ancients have said. Now, Caspar, Balthasar, chart where that star is in relation to the earth. (strides from the room)
Balthasar: Caspar, write down these figures as I chart the heavens.
(They busily plot and figure. Looking through the sextant, they both try to be in the same place at the same time. Caspar pops up under Balthasar and gets tangled in the string.)
Melchior: (returns with scroll from the back room) I have found it! There is an old and established belief, that it is fated, a man from Judea will rule the world. "You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you" (Deuteronomy 15:6b).
Caspar: Ruler of the whole world? Could this be the meaning of my dream?
Balthasar: Certainly, now it makes sense.
Melchior: (with authority) We must go to see this king and pay him homage. We shall begin preparations for the trip. Balthasar, have you learned where we should look?
Balthasar: It is in the west, in the land of Judah.
Caspar: Can I go, Father? I found the new star... oh, Father, I want to go... I have to go with you.
Melchior: It is a long and dangerous journey, my son, but, very well, get your things together. (turning to Balthasar) Now Balthasar, prepare provisions and notify the king's guards to establish a caravan. I shall go to the treasury house and select gifts suitable for a king.
(All go in different directions. Caspar returns with a bag and puts on his cape. The others return dressed in their kingly robes, each carrying a traveling bag. They leave, going down the center aisle. Melchior leads, Balthasar next, and finally Caspar properly walking behind the others.)
Scene Two
(Spotlight on a manger scene at left stage area.)
Instrumental
"We Three Kings" (v. 1)
(A chair is placed on center stage [the fanciest one you can find] and Herod takes his place on his throne. Magi walk slowly up aisle with Caspar walking eagerly in front. They pause midway down the aisle.)
Melchior: (pointing to where King Herod is seated on a throne) It is only proper that we first seek out the ruler of the Judeans.
Caspar: Father, the star is not over Jerusalem; it is to the south.
Balthasar: Melchior, the chart clearly shows...
Melchior: It is customary to consult with the present ruler before entering his country. We shall go to Jerusalem.
(They approach the throne of Herod. His advisor stands beside him. Herod stomps his scepter on the floor and whispers to Darian, his advisor.)
Darian: Herod, our esteemed ruler, allows you to approach the throne.
Herod: (threateningly) Who are you? Where do you come from? What do you want?
Melchior: (bowing before Herod) Herod, O wise and great ruler of Judea. We come in peace. Our names are Melchior, Balthasar, and Caspar. We are from the tribe of Mede of the Empire of Persia.
Balthasar: We have seen a new star. A beautiful, brilliant, and exciting star. And we have had a vision of a newborn king who will rule the whole world.
Caspar: And we have come to worship him and pay homage.
Melchior: Could you tell us where this new king could be?
Herod: (angrily, to Darian, his advisor) A new king? In Judea? Why have I not heard of this before?
(Darian looks surprised and frightened, then shrugs his shoulders.)
Herod: Darien. You are my chief advisor. Why have you not told me?
Darian: Herod, O great, wise ruler. Let us consult with the Chief Priest and see what he has to say.
Herod: So be it.
(Darian leaves and returns with the Chief Priest.)
Chief Priest: (bows low) O Herod, great ruler, you have sent for me?
Herod: (angrily) What is this I hear about a new king being born in Judea?
Chief Priest: O, great one. The scriptures say (unrolls scroll), "And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you will come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel" (Matthew 2:6).
Herod: (pointing to Melchior) You. Yes, you're the one. Come up here.
Melchior: Yes? O great ruler.
Herod: (cunningly) And, just when did this star first appear?
Melchior: We began our trip as soon as we could get a caravan together after my son, Caspar, discovered the new star. We have been traveling for several months.
Herod: (smiling craftily and rubbing hands together) Bethlehem is spoken of as the birthplace of a ruler. Go and make a careful search for the child. And, if... when, you find him, return and tell me all about it so that (smiling with an evil look) ... so that I too may go and worship him. Heh heh.
(Magi leave, going down right aisle with Melchior leading. The lights dim.)
Scene Three
(Herod's throne is replaced by a table at which Joseph is hammering on a piece of wood.)
Instrumental
"We Three Kings" (v. 2)
(Magi march back up the left aisle -- Caspar eagerly leading the group. They meet Joseph working at a carpenter's table.)
Caspar: Good morning, sir.
Joseph: Greetings strangers. Have you just arrived in town?
Balthasar: We have come a long way and are very tired. Do you know of an inn close by?
Joseph: The inn is at the other end of town, but we would consider it an honor if you would stay in our humble home while you are in Bethlehem.
Caspar: Yes, Father. Could we? Could we?
Melchior: Thank you for your generous offer. We will be pleased to do that.
(Joseph leads the way as Caspar and the others enter the house.)
Joseph: Mary, we have guests. Prepare one of your fine meals and prepare the spare room.
Mary: (to Caspar who enters first) Greetings, young man. You are a stranger in Bethlehem. What is your name?
Caspar: Good morning, ma'am. My name is Caspar.
Melchior: (striding up to the door and bowing lightly) Greetings. I am Melchior, master of the study of the universe. And this is my assistant, Balthasar, and my son and apprentice, Caspar. We are from the tribe of Mede, from Persia.
(The men make themselves comfortable around the table. Caspar and the toddler [about a year and a half old], sit on the floor where they play quietly. Mary brings out the meal.)
Joseph: Have you been traveling very long?
Balthasar: We began our journey several months ago.
Melchior: We made this trip to find a very special child that is destined to rule the universe.
Balthasar: We saw his star and it led to your village.
Caspar: Do you know of such a child?
Joseph: Mary was visited by God's angel who told her that she would be wonderfully blessed.
Mary: The angel said: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:30b-33).The town was crowded so we could not find a room at the inn. The good innkeeper allowed us to stay in his stable behind the inn where Jesus was born.
Joseph: The night that Jesus was born we were visited by Shepherds. They had come from the fields. They told us that Angels had appeared before them and had told them, "Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10b-11). And that is how the shepherds found him.
Instrumental (played softly throughout scene)
"We Three Kings"
(Magi bow before child.)
Melchior: We are honored to have found him. We have brought gifts we wish to give the king.
(Balthasar goes to side and retrieves his bag and returns to hand out his gifts. He gives one each to Melchior and Caspar and one for himself.)
Melchior: (lays gift beside child then bows low) To the ruler of the universe, I bring gold.
Balthasar: (lays gift beside the child then bows low) For the light that shines upon the nations... accept this myrrh as my gift.
Caspar: (lays gift beside child then bows low) To the Lord of mercy and grace, I offer frankincense.
Angel: (from side stage)
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley, 1744
Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy in every longing heart.
(Spotlight goes to an elevated area where Herod is standing, a sword in his hand. Lights go out and then on to symbolize time. Each person enters beginning with Caspar who sits on floor with the child. The others sit at the table, Mary brings breakfast.)
Balthasar: (seriously) I had a dream last night. Your ruler, Herod, was very angry. He was shouting and acting like a mad man waving a sword above his head.
Caspar: Oh, how awful...
Joseph: What could it mean?
Melchior: We have been warned. Herod seeks to destroy the holy child. He fears his throne.
Caspar: Oh no, not Jesus.
Melchior: We shall leave immediately by way of the south. We shall not go near Jerusalem. Herod shall never know.
Balthasar: Caspar, come help me prepare for the journey.
(Mary picks up Jesus. Balthasar and Caspar go out together.)
Melchior: Joseph, you should consider finding a safer place to live.
Joseph: You may be right. We shall prepare to leave immediately.
(All return with bags, say their farewells and leave, going back down left aisle. They get halfway down the aisle when Caspar stops, sets down his bag, turns to look back, and waves at Jesus.)
The End
