----------------------------- A NOTE REGARDING THIS VERSION ----------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. See the notes at the end of this script for information on downloading the FREE Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version. ----------- DESCRIPTION ----------- THREE MEN AND A BABY Type: Sketch (Christmas) Synopsis: The Time: The night of Jesus' birth The Place: Just outside Bethlehem Our three shepherds have just left their flocks after being confronted by the angels. This is a humorous sketch about three shepherds on their way to Bethlehem, commissioned to supply a little comic relief within a Christmas cantata. Theme: Christmas, Messiah, Shepherds Characters: Caleb, Ephraim & Jacob Props and Set: None required Length: 4 min. ------ SCRIPT ------ >- - When printing this script, you may wish to start at this point - -< THREE MEN AND A BABY Copyright (c) 2002 David S. Lampel His Company [Our three shepherds enter furtively, glancing back over their shoulders nervously, as if trying to get away from someone or something that has frightened them. They are traveling huddled closely together for security--which causes them to keep tripping over each other's feet. Caleb, the eldest, is in the lead. He is our strong leader who thinks he has all the answers. Ephraim is the nervous one in our trio, always fussing and fretting, worrying about tomorrow. Jacob is the sober-headed diplomat of our group. Count on him to keep things straight.] CALEB (turning quickly to halt the others) Now hold it! Just wait a minute. What's got into us here? EPHRAIM (pointing back in the direction they have just come; stuttering) B--b--b--but-- CALEB (sarcastically) Well said. JACOB (to Caleb; for once, almost as nervous as his friend Ephraim) I agree with Ephraim. CALEB (trying to calm his companions) We gotta slow down here. EPHRAIM Y--you heard what he said. JACOB (to Caleb) You heard what they all said. CALEB (after a beat) We were dreaming. JACOB (incredulous) All three of us? EPHRAIM (firmly) I wasn't dreaming. CALEB But we can't just leave the sheep. JACOB (to Ephraim; calming down) Caleb's right. That wolf from last night might come back. EPHRAIM (to Jacob) But the angels said-- CALEB (cross-examining) Now, how do you really know they were angels? I mean, maybe the sun was in our eyes. JACOB At midnight? CALEB ('have it your way') All right then--the moon. EPHRAIM (with firm resolve as much to convince himself) I've never seen an angel before, but I swear on my mother-in-law's life--those were angels. JACOB (slowly turning toward Ephraim; after a beat) Your mother-in-law? CALEB (turning Jacob by the shoulder; with feigned confidentiality) I've met his mother-in-law. He's got nothing to lose. JACOB (to both his companions) Look, I think we can all agree we saw something extraordinary tonight. The only question is: What are we going to do about it? EPHRAIM Caleb says we dreamed up the whole thing. The only way to prove it really happened, is to go into Bethlehem and check it out for ourselves. CALEB (after a pause; more seriously; thoughtfully) It wasn't just what we saw. Can you imagine! The angels said the Christ child has been born. All these centuries--and finally, He's here! EPHRAIM (trying to remember) What did they say now . . . JACOB They said, (reciting--but not too smoothly) "The sign will be that you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger." EPHRAIM (with quickly fading confidence) Well, how hard can that be. Just find the right cave . . . and the right stall . . . and the right cows . . . CALEB (assuring Ephraim; with some disdain) We'll ask directions. JACOB (after a short pause) What's so hard to believe is that we'd be chosen as the messengers in the first place. EPHRAIM (wryly) Or the last place. JACOB I was sure the Messiah would reveal Himself first in Jerusalem--on the temple mount! CALEB (wryly) But instead He comes to Bethlehem, of all places. JACOB I don't know. I guess it doesn't really matter where the Savior shows up--as long as He does. EPHRAIM (after a beat; thoughtfully) What do you think's going to happen? CALEB What do you mean? EPHRAIM I mean for us. What's going to happen to us, now that Messiah is here? CALEB (after thinking) I don't know. JACOB Right away--maybe nothing. Maybe life will just keep moving along, changing a little at a time. EPHRAIM Yeah, or maybe the heavens will open up again. CALEB We may never know. But at least we know one thing: This sorry world's never going be the same again. JACOB Not likely. EPHRAIM (brightening) And we were the first. JACOB But we're going to be the last if we don't get on with it. CALEB (the leader taking charge again; resignedly) All right. Let's go. EPHRAIM (as they exit; to Jacob; innocently) Have you ever worshipped a baby before? CALEB (to no one in particular) Boy I just hope they've cleaned out that stall. ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This script is Copyright (C) 2002 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. The data file may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2002 David S. Lampel"). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, promotions, or spoken messages. Permission is hereby extended for this script to be printed for rehearsal and performance use. Copies may be reproduced in sufficient number for the director, actors, and technical personnel, as long as each copy contains the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2002 David S. Lampel") >- - When printing this script, you may wish to stop at this point - -< ----------------- USING THIS SCRIPT ----------------- For electronic distribution, the Internet version of this script uses the following conventions: * character names are in ALL CAPS. * stage directions within a character's line are enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(with anger)"). * stage directions without are enclosed in brackets (e.g., "[They exit.]"). * the plus sign (+) indicates when to cue trax or begin intro for next song ---------------------------------------- OBTAINING THE PDF VERSION OF THIS SCRIPT ---------------------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. If, after reading this script, you decide to produce it on stage, for actual production purposes you should return to the His Company web site at "http://dlampel.com/hc/" and download the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version. This version will be far superior for rehearsals and technical use, with a professional format that includes line numbers and ample white space for notes. To download the PDF version of this script, go to the Online Catalogue page for this play and click on the "PDF" icon just below the title in the upper left-hand corner. Left-click to view; right-click, then select "Save Target As..." to download to your hard drive. The PDF version of each of our scripts is available at no charge--as are all of our resources. It does, however, require the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and/or printing. Follow the links at the His Company site, or go to "http://www.adobe.com", to download the FREE Reader. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These plays and musical resources are made available free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David S. Lampel 2462 195th Trail Winterset, IA 50273 USA hc@dlampel.com Complete resources at http://dlampel.com/ "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36) 20020718