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.