Monologue: From Parent to Parent (Good Friday)

Scene: Home living room, 1 comfi chair facing “audience” with small table with a picture frame on it.

-Mother enters from side door, cleaning house (maybe dusting or sweeping, humming along) moving towards chair. Dusting coffee table, starts dusting picture, stops, looks at picture, sits down.

“Hm (smiles). I really should have put this in the attic years ago…it’s only gathering dust now. (sits, smiling at picture some more, then puts it back). Who am I kidding – I’ll never put it away. It’s the last picture I’ve got from you…the last memory of you looking happy.

I wonder what happened… you were such a happy boy. Do you remember how you used to laugh when we used to sing along to the Radio in the car with the Windows down… and then suddenly you changed… I know if you could hear me now you’d tell me not to tell you that I told you so…but I DID! I told you that those boys would be trouble… but you wouldn’t listen.

(moves forward to step, as if looking out of window) All the neighbours were talking, about how Mary’s Son was trouble, how he couldn’t be trusted. I’d hear about you in the shops, how the teachers didn’t want you around them anymore, how you’d been caught stealing, how you’d been on wine… and only yesterday Rachel from across the road said she heard you’d been arrested? She didn’t know any details but then she’s and old gossip and it’s probably not true…

(Silence…back to chair, picking up picture again, looks at it)

I wonder what made you change… did something happened that you didn’t tell me? Did I do something wrong? Have I not been a good mother? I hope that whatever it is, you know that I miss you. I’m just waiting for you to come back… where are you?

(Puts picture back on table)

Oh my God…where is my son? Please, wherever he is, please, bring him back to me, please keep him safe… If you had a son, you would want to know that he was safe…Oh God,if you had a son, just like my Barabus, you’d want to be sure that he is allright…, oh God, if you had a son just like I do, you wouldn’t let anybody hurt him. Oh my God…if you had a son, just like my Barabus, you would – if you could – take any suffering in his place….

Do not be afraid (Christmas)

Scene 1

Gabriel sitting on chair, solving a crossword puzzle

Daniel comes in, skipping, sits down at Gabriel’s Feet. Gabriel looks up.

Gabriel: Oh hello! Where have you been? I have been looking for you… did you oversleep again? I tell you, you should go to bed earlier and not play cloud chasing until midnight!

Daniel: No I wasn’t sleeping. I was thinking! It’s just not fair.

Gabriel: What is not fair?

Daniel: Well, it’s just not fair that I’m only young and you got to have all the fun.

Gabriel: Of course I have all the fun – nothing more fun than a good old crossword puzzle.

Daniel: No that’s not what I mean. I mean you got to go to earth and talk to Mary and the shepherds and all. Now all the humans already know about Jesus. I will never ever get to appear to scare people like you did with the shepherds. I bet that was fun! I will never ever get to announce to people that the hope of the world, the son of God, is about to be born. All I get to do is to play cloud chasing… I don’t think I’m even needed, all the work has already been done. They already know that Jesus has come because God loves them – there’s nothing left for me to do.

Voice: Daniel? Daniel, can you come and see me please? There is something I would like to talk to you about.

Daniel (to Gabriel, worried): Uh oh – am I in trouble?

Gabriel: I don’t think so… unless you have a guilty conscience? Come on, off you go, you don’t want to keep the father waiting…

Scene 2

Gabriel: Sitting on chair, solving crossword

Daniel comes in, very excited: Guess what Gabriel? I’m being sent on a mission! To earth!

Gabriel: Oh that sounds exciting? What will you be doing there?

Daniel: well… apparently it’s a study trip… I’m not sure what it means… Any tips on how to talk to humans?

Gabriel: Just remember that they are all bit wet behind the ears so no sudden movements. And it usually helps if you say things like: DO NOT BE AFRAID.

Daniel (practicing): DO NOT BE AFRAID… DO NOT BE AFRAID… I need to get packing. Bye… DO NOT BE AFRAID… DO NOT BE AFRAID… (until off)

Scene 3

Lady 1: I’m so glad they put me to do the doors… imagine if they had put me down to actually serve the soup!

Lady 2: I know! Imagine one of “them” coming close to me. Ugh (shudders). The only reason I’m here it’s because the kids wanted to do some Charity work for Christmas but… it’s the first and the last time I’m helping with “Soup for the homeless” day.

Lady 1: Takes out anti-bacterial gel from Handbag, cleans her hands: I know – these people are just so… disgusting. And I don’t know what they have to do with us really.

Offer to Lady 2: Here, do you want some?

Lady 2: Thanks.

Daniel enters: Do not be afraid….

Ladies scream – run off, Daniel runs after them shouting: Hey, Do not be afraid, I only wanted to….

Scene 4

Student 1 & Student 2 walking in side by side, student 3 slightly behind

Student 2: And then I told him (whispers into Student 2’s ear)

Student 3: What did you say?

Student 1 & 2 exchange looks roll eyes…

Student 1 to Student 3: Don’t you get it – just leave us alone!

Daniel: DO NOT BE AFRAID…

All 3 students scream & run off… Daniel after them: DO NOT BE AFRAID… I just… DO NOT BE…

Scene 5

(nicely laid table, chairs etc, Grandma laying table, prezzies on each plate)

Phone rings, Grandma slowly sits down, answers phone

Nancy: Hello? Are you just about to leave? Why…? Oh… so Jane’s coming on her own? Can’t come either… oh. No no, of course I understand… well, I had just started on the trifle. No, don’t worry. Of course that is OK. Yes yes, you ring me when you have time. Of course. No, I do understand. It’s no big deal. It’s only Christmas. Oh no, I hadn’t even prepared much (slowly moves presents from table). Yes, that’s fine. Whenever you’re less busy. Ok Darling. Bye.

Puts phone down. Crunches present in her lap. “It’s no big deal” gets up sadly.

Daniel: DO NOT BE AFRAID. I’ve come to tell you

Nancy: OK. My family don’t want to see me not even at Christmas and now I’m also going mad. I need to get some rest. (starts walking out)

Daniel: you’re not going mad – I’m telling you, DO NOT BE AFRAID

Nancy: Voices in my head… have I not got enough on my plate! (both off)

Scene 6:

Gabriel sitting, doing crosswords

Daniel: enters, head hanging low, sad

Gabriel: Daniel! You’re back! How was it?

Daniel: Well… I have learnt that people still need to hear about Jesus. I thought they’d all heard, I thought they all knew but… either they haven’t or they need to hear again.

Gabriel: Well… that’s good though – means we’re still needed. Did you learn anything else?

Daniel: Yes… you know that “DO NOT BE AFARID”? I could really o with some extra practicing.

Change of Plans (Christmas)

Scene 1: Empty platform. Noise from side hall, pushing chairs, chatting and maybe laughing etc.

Enter Michael & Joel, as if just out of meeting.

Michael: Well… that was a worthwhile meeting for one! Finally we managed to make some decisions.

Joel: I’m not so sure – we still haven’t managed to get some proper coffee in the meeting room. No wonder I couldn’t stay awake.

Micheal: Luckily I just kicked you in time to hear the funny joke the boss made

Joel: Yes… that was hilarious. I didn’t think that he’d have such a great sense of humour.

Michael: Oh? Surely your face should have given you a clue that he likes having a laugh..(chuckles)

Joel: Ha, ha…very funny! Do you think he was really joking though? He looked a bit upset when we all laughed out loudly when he told us his idea to save the world?

Micheal: Oh come on! Of course he was joking! Let’s save the world by going down there himself!

Joel: (laughing) Yes you are right, he couldn’t possibly have thought that was a good idea… coming to earth… disguised as a Baby!

Michael: Born from a Virgin…

Joel: In a stable….

Michael: And what is worse…. Without any special announcements! It’s funny because he created people and it’s as if he didn’t know them AT ALL! They always need notice and announcement and time to plan… And even then they usually manage to mess it up… they get a year to prepare for Christmas and still forget about it until they before and then have to run around like headless chicken! You can’t just spring stuff onto them - you need to give them fair warning.

Joel: I like all the planning and preparing… it usually involves backing cakes…yum…

Michael: Ok, cut the daydreaming. We’ve got so much work to do before we get to the cake baking stage. Let’s get moving.

Off down the middle,exit!

Scene 2:

Both Angels walking down the stairs, now tired of walking…. Just walk across platform.

Scene 3:

Coming in from behind platform:

Joel (out of breath) finally!

Michael (out of breath).: Humans! Now we can start the planning!

Joel: So how do we best do this?

Michael: I think we definitely need a planning committee

Joel: Good plan!

Michael: OK, so why don’t you step forwards and ask for volunteers?

Joel: OK..(steps forward) errr hang on….I think you should do it.

Michael: I errr I can’t. Because I… I ehhhmmm am busy. SO I can’t, you do it.

Joel: You are busy? Busy doing what?

Michael: errr mmmm weeelll I… I need to update my status (takes phone out and starts playing around)

Joel: Ah OK, I see. Suppose I don’t have a choice. (Steps forward as if to address people, but stops in his tracks and turns back to Michael) HANG ON!

Michael: What?

Joel: Can you add me as a friend please?

Michael: OK, Joel, FOCUS on what is important. GO and select some Volunteers.

Joel: (nervous, shy, to congregation) hello. I am Joel, I am an Angel and I am here to bring you some good news. But I don’t know how because… well… what I mean is… I need Volunteers for… well to help with (turns back to Michael) why do we need Volunteers?

Michael: UFF! I said right from the start that you should let me do this Joel, but no, you had push to the front…

Joel: Sorry.

Michael: That’s OK. (Turns to congregation) Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, it is with great pleasure that we would like to tell you that our great big GOD would like to meet with you. And for this occasion Joel and I will be planning a great welcoming ceremony and we would like to ask you if you are interested to join the planning comitee.

(Picks previously agreed volunteers)If you could make your way over there and Joel and I will give you a quick overview of what the welcoming ceremony should be about.

Scene 4:

Michael: Now that we have filled you in on what’s happening we think we should vote on a suitable day. Joel, please give the options:

Joel: Ok, the option going to the vote are: FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING!

Teenage Volunteer: No way. You can’t do it on a Monday. And in the morning? Sorry, but I usually don’t manage to wake up until Monday is half over and Mondays generally are just not my day. No, it can’t be on a Monday.

Joel: Fair point. You don’t want to have to worry about sleep in your eyes on such an important day. Moving on, the second suggestion iiiiiiiiissssssss: FRIDAY EVENING!

Working Volunteer: I’m afraid that is not an option. I appreciate that God coming to earth is quite important but you must realize that I work all week – Friday evenings are the only time I get to myself, to have a break, to relax… I do not do plans for Fridays – even my wife knows that.

Michael: Yes… I suppose we didn’t think of that. Hm… Joel, what was the next option?

Joel: The next option iiiiiissssssssss SUNDAYYYYY:

Minister: hm… dear friends… if I could just say…. Sunday is a day of rest and a day of worship at the church. Could you imagine the uproar it would cause if God himself appeared to church – all my preparation would have been in vain and I just don’t think we should mess with the routine of a Sunday.

Joel to Michael: He does have a point.

Michael: he does indeed – but we still have our favourite option (klaps hands with excitement)

Joel: Our favourite option! Yes! I almost forgot about this one! Do you want to say it?

Michael: No you go

Joel: No you go

Michael: Ok….how would you feel if God came down to earth – God himself 0 in…you’ll never guess this one…ahhh the suspense…any ideas?

Joel: I know, what if he came down at Christmas????

Michael: Thanks for spoiling that one mate.

Housewife Volunteer: I don’t think you haven’t thought that through really, have you. I mean do you KNOW how much preparation has to be fitted into the run up to Christams – let alone all the extra work and preparation that would have to go into preparing a big welcome? There is the cleaning, the shopping, the planning what to wear, the hairdressers, inviting family, planning food, being nice to people you don’t usualy talk to, driving the kids to extra school activities, more church events to rehearse and prepare for, baking, wrapping..

Michael: Woooo hooo… I think we get the picture. I suppose we weren’t aware that there were so many things that had to be done in the run up to Christams.

Joel: And when you put it like that it becomes quite clear that you would not have time to fit God in to all of that. I mena I’m sure that if he had known that you are so busy he would not have made such a suggestion as to come to earth personally, I’m sure of it.

Michael: I think Joel and I need to go back and report to what we found out here. You have been a most helpful planning committee – really, we appreciate your time. Please forgive any inconvenience caused – you may return to your seats. Thank you for your help.

Joel: So what do we tell him when we get back?

Michael: Well, we say what we have been saying right from the beginning: That he should come unannounced.

Joel: In the dark

Michael: And not expect a great welcome.

Joel: And maybe he’d have to stay with the lowly – those who have time to give to him.

Michael: I told him all along – you can’t give these humans warning, you have to take them by surprise!

Joel: Do we have to walk all the way back now?

Michael: well we can fly once we’re out of sight but we are wearing dresses – we don’t really want to fly over people’s heads, do we?

Both start marching off.