A MAN FOR OTHERS Adapted from a short story by Abelardo Diaz Alfaro

Asher Casper King Herod Justus Balthazar Archelaus Zebulun Innkeeper Tero Nicodemus () Blind Man Joseph Family Man Jacob Melchior

Scene #1: Night. On a stable at in Inn in a pastoral area of Bethlehem, a bright light comes out upwards from a mangle and the cry of baby is heard while a man is standing in front, back to audience. Then, from another area out in the fields nearby, four Shepherds (who were keeping watch over their flocks) come running scared from different sides, meeting at one point.

ASHER. (running) Wooo… What was that?

JUSTUS. (running) Did you see it, you saw it too, I’m not crazy then?

ZEBULUN. (running) What was that? Who was he? Oh God!

NICODEMUS. (runnning and meeting with others) Woah… Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! That was no sheep ghost! You saw it too, Asher?

ASHER. Saw what?

JUSTUS. You did saw it, come on, we all did!

ASHER. What? No, I got scared and came running because you were running scared!

ZEBULUN. I did see him! What was that? Nicodemus…

NICODEMUS. I usually dream of someone coming from heaven, but it is always bringing me fish, fruits and cheese.

ZEBULUN. Well I always dream of sheep. I came up with this idea; when I cannot fall asleep, I count sheep. It works well.

JUSTUS. This was no dream, Zebulun, sure of that. We all saw it.

ASHER. (cool and casual) I really do not know what you are referring to, Justus.

JUSTUS. Yes, Asher. You are just so much different and better than the rest of us. That is why you always say your sheep are the most intelligent and well-trained.

1 ASHER. Because they are. And because I am not a poor, lonely dreamer like you all,.

NICODEMUS. Well this time you lost, Asher. Because we just saw an angel.

ZEBULUN. An angel! Was that an angel? Yes, that is what I saw!

JUSTUS. An angel descended upon us! Us, poor, lonely shepherds!

ASHER. We must be special to God, hahaha. Oh come on, an angel! Haha. Do not turn crazy on me now, you are seeing hallucinations.

JUSTUS. Well who was him then? Because you saw him as well as us.

ASHER. I did not see a thing! (pause) Maybe I heard a voice.

ZEBULUN. And what did the voice say?

ASHER. It said… “Beware, my noble Asher, beware the other shepherds, for they are turning sheep to by being so isolated.”

NICODEMUS. I am trying to remember… I opened my eyes as he was descending upon here, such a bright light, it was truly a message from the heavens…

ZEBULUN I was totally terrified. I could not see if anyone else was around. I wanted to run away.

JUSTUS Me too! I wanted to run but I could not… because the glory of the Lord shone around me… and for that instant I felt peace… I felt… somebody is watching me from up there… I am not alone.

NICODEMUS. I think I got it! Hear me… “Do not be afraid…”

ZEBULUN. Yes, I heard that too!

NICODEMUS. (continuing) “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Lord.”

JUSTUS. (crying) Yes, that is what I heard. (falls to his knees) At last… the Messiah is here.

Zebulun and Nicodemus get down on their knees next to Justus, holding hands and lowering their heads, and pray with tears in their eyes.

ASHER. (surprised and upset) Just what in heaven are you doing? Are you all believing this? Have you all gone mad? Stop this nonsense! (pause) Oh, I am going back to my sheep.

ZEBULUN (stands turning to Asher) Asher! What are you so afraid of? You do not want to acknowledge the presence of an angel? Fine. But accept, respect and embrace His message for it is the message of the Lord. You heard it too.

ASHER. But just stop and think, why us? Why to us, poor, isolated shepherds? Why does He want to bring this message to US? Think about this, you men. Really. We never talk much to each other, but if this unite us please let this not make fools of ourselves.

2 NICODEMUS. He has a point there. Why to us?

ASHER. Are we this desperate to for acknowledgement and appreciation?

NICODEMUS. And why the Messiah is to be born at a mangle outside a room? Are his parents poor?

ASHER. Yes! You see? It does not make any sense! You do not see it? Yes, I heard a voice. I refuse to believe an angel came to us because I was sleeping, and so were you.

JUSTUS. You mean to say we all had the exact same dream at the same time?

ASHER. I do not know! But the Messiah will be the king of all people, not a poor child born in a mangle. And certainly not to be welcomed to the world by POOR SHEPHERDS! (sits down frustrated)

JUSTUS. And you think God does not love us? What are we then? That is exactly why we have been waiting all this time for the Messiah to come, for US! Not for the powerful, the wealthy, the healthy, the privileged.

ZEBULUN. There is a reason and an explanation to all this. We just cannot see it now. We must go there and welcome the baby. The son of God will be the man for all people.

JUSTUS. And that include US, Asher, Nicodemus. US! We have been waiting for this moment all our lives… Now we are not to believe it?

NICODEMUS. You are right, Justus. We are not doing right by this. We are just afraid.

ZEBULUN. Trying to look for explanations is not bringing us to anything. We just will have to follow our hearts. We all want this so much to be true. Do not be afraid to say, friends. How do you feel right now?

JUSTUS. (smiling) So hopeful.

NICODEMUS. (looking at Asher) Yes, I want to believe.

ZEBULUN. Then let us speak no more… and go.

NICODEMUS. (helps Asher stand) Come on, Asher. We will find answers. I feel so positive and empowered by this. You see? Have faith… and do what is right… and you will feel a better man.

Scene #2: Back to the stable with a manger at an Inn in Bethlehem. Night, almost dawn. The cry of baby Jesus is heard while Joseph and the Wise Men walk around or rest trying to relax. The cries fade out.

INNKEEPER. How is she doing, Joseph? Do you need anything? I feel so bad I could not get you a room at the Inn but we have no vacancies.

JOSEPH. They are both doing fine, thank you. You did more than anyone else, we will be forever thankful.

3 MELCHIOR. No, my good man. This happened where it needed to happen, under the Bethlehem star. It was… magical. Such a special night to remember for a long time.

JOSEPH. Maybe forever. (others laugh) We are all blessed by this. We came to Bethlehem for the census, and Jesus was born here. This is his home. I thank all of you for coming here.

BALTHAZAR. So tell us, how did those Shepherds in there got here? Why?

JOSEPH. Well, they said an angel visited them and told them to come welcome Jesus.

CASPER. Wow, I have heard some stories in my lifetime, but that one…

INNKEEPER. How did you come here?

CASPER. We… we followed a star.

INNKEEPER. And you do not want us to believe the Shepherds? Hahahaa. A star!

MELCHIOR. That star shinning up there right now. The Bethlehem star.

INNKEEPER. It is a good thing I do not drink anymore, angels and stars, that would get me wasted.

CASPER. Yes, we followed a star for hundreds of miles to bring us here bearing gifts to welcome Jesus the Messiah, and here we are. Are we crazy or blessed?

INNKEEPER. In any way, nobody is going to be able to explain this.

BALTHAZAR. But it has been explained already, my good man. It is the Messiah, the son of God, the one we came to welcome. We all know why we are here.

MELCHOIR. It is a new world. (Joseph looking away, distraught) Are you well, Joseph?

JOSEPH. (thoughtful) I just… But why him? Why was Jesus the chosen one? (pause) Can a baby lead us to salvation?

CASPER. He will grow up to become a man, Joseph.

JOSEPH. Yes, but how about Mary and me? What is our part on this? What do we have to do now? How should we raise him? How will we know we are doing things correctly? And when will we know to let him be and do the things…

BALTHAZAR. So many questions! (laughs) All will come in time. Just raise him well. Mary and you already did the most important part.

CASPER. Yes, but what do we know? Nobody here knows. And what is our part in this?

MELCHOIR. We did our part, Casper.

CASPER. Did we? And what is this man doing here (Joseph)? He is not the real father. Why should God… or the Messiah care for those Shepherds being here?

4 MELCHOIR. Exactly. Because even if nobody else cares, He is showing you that He still cares. We are all here for a reason. (silence in all)

JOSEPH. Umm… (to Casper) Why did you say I am not his real father?

CASPER. Well, you are not, are you?

INNKEEPER. (surprised) He is not? Oh my! (makes a face)

JOSEPH. What are you saying? (disrespected) Mary is my wife!

BALTHAZAR. You explained how baby Jesus was conceived by your wife through the Holy Spirit sent by God. It was not you. So why are you claiming fathership?

JOSEPH. Because I am his father.

CASPER. Maybe he is an intruder.

MELCHIOR. Are you here to harm this child in any way?

BALTHAZAR. We might have been called to come here and bring the child with us.

JOSEPH. (turning violent) Anybody moves one step towards my child and I will defend him with my life! Are you all crazy? I am not an intruder, I am Mary’s husband, and that is my child who I love with all my heart and soul.

CASPER. Did you learn about this after you got married? Maybe we should go and talk to his wife about it.

JOSEPH. Are you all crazy? (confesses) It actually started before we got married, while we were still betrothed.

INNKEEPER. (interested) Oh my! Well now this gets really interesting.

BALTHAZAR. So your betrothed became pregnant, and not by you, and you knew and married her anyways?

JOSEPH. Correct. (walks away upset)

MELCHOIR. Joseph! (stops him) We do not wish to intrude you. We do not want to be disrespectful, we are all blessed to be in the presence of the son of God born into this world, and Mary and you are the most blessed. But we just do not fully understand.

CASPER. It is very important for us to know who has been trusted into taking care of baby Jesus.

JOSEPH. What is there to understand? He is the son of God, and he is my son. This was not my idea.

CASPER. But it is just so abnormal.

5 JOSEPH. Of course it is abnormal! A woman, a human woman, gave birth to the son of God by the Holy spirit, how could you expect it to be normal in any way?

INNKEEPER. He has a point there. I do not think I have heard that one before.

CASPER. And unnatural. Even excluding the fact that he is the son of God, you have committed yourself to a child that is not yours. You will be both exposed to public disgrace.

JOSEPH. We have been already. (pause) They would have killed her if I had not taken them in. I could not stand by and let people treat her like… She is the best mother this child could have.

INNKEEPER. Well I would certainly hope so. It is not like… you know… she just happens to be the mother of the son of God, not that big of a deal, right? (they stay serious) Anyways, what we want to know is, if he is not your child, why did you stay with her?

JOSEPH. You stay out of this, Innkeeper.

INNKEEPER. Oookay, I think I will go see how my other guests are doing. (leaves)

BALTHAZAR. Why did you stay with her?

JOSEPH. I just… why is it so hard to understand that I want to stay by my wife? I love her! And I love our child. I… (after a pause) At first, I was going to try to divorce her quietly in hopes that nobody would find out…

MELCHOIR. But then you decided to be there to protect her. And not only that, but you opposed all conventions in favor of doing what you thought was right. That makes you a special man.

JOSEPH. I am just human as you are. All credit goes to Mary.

BALTHAZAR. So you were going to divorce her, and then?

JOSEPH. …but then an angel visited me.

CASPER. An angel visited you too, how convenient.

JOSEPH. It came to me in a dream.

BALTHAZAR. In a dream? Well excuse me, Joseph, but I have had a lot of very convincing dreams, but…

JOSEPH. You do not believe me? Fine, I do not expect you to.

Joseph walks away, when an angel appears to him. He reacts surprised and terrified.

JOSEPH. Who are you?

GABRIEL. Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

6 JOSEPH. But… how do I know if this is true? I am just a poor carpenter. Why would God want to bring his son to the world through a young poor woman and her carpenter husband?

Joseph turns to the others.

MELCHIOR. And no answer from the angel?

JOSEPH. I do not remember. Then I woke up. I just believed in it, something made me believe in it, I guess it is faith.

CASPER. I am not certain about this.

Suddenly the angel speaks to all.

GABRIEL. Have faith, you men! God has a plan for us all. Casper, are you still doubting the miracle you all witnessed tonight? (all in awe)

CASPER. How… how do you know my name? Who are you?

GABRIEL. Rejoice. This is a most important night in history. You are all blessed, embraced by the Lord, God is with you here. Mary was chosen to have baby Jesus. And Joseph will take care of them, he did the right thing. It is called love. This is why you need Jesus in this world. Learn to love each other, be for each other, show dignity, respect.

BALTHAZAR. But why a poor carpenter and his young wife? Why is he not born to a king, or to powerful people? Why does it has to be like this?

GABRIEL. He is a man for all people. And he will save you from your sins. (leaving) His message…is salvation.

MELCHOIR. I understand. (embraces Joseph) Joseph… You need to protect this child against all nature, evil forces. He brings a message from God to the world we all need to hear…

CASPER. (worried) And, as now I can recall… not everyone might be as receptive… (looks at the other Wise Men)

Scene #3: In another area, a man is being brought by Tero to King Herod.

TERO. This man is going to Bethlehem with his wife and son.

HEROD. (soft, but malicious) Let me look at your eyes, kind man.

MAN. (pleading his life) Please,Your Excellency! I have a family.

HEROD. I understand, nothing to worry about. (pause, to Tero) He is not the one. (gestures to take him away)

MAN. Thank you. We will come back after the census to serve you.

HEROD. Of course you will. (smiles)

Tero is taking him away, Herod makes a sound, Tero turns, and Herod signals to cut his throat. 7 HEROD. (to himself) Just in case.

His son, Archelaus, comes to him.

ARCHELAUS. Nothing suspicious, father.

HEROD. (looks away) That census… Each man to return to the place of his birth. The prophecy says the Messiah will rise from the house of David. This census will bring him back home. My father lost his life because he failed to see the threat against him.

ARCHELAUS. I promise you that will not happen this time, father.

HEROD. I believe you, Archelaus, and I trust you. But the people whisper of rebellion. All it will take is one man… A man people will follow… One man to convince people he is their Messiah.

ARCHELAUS. It will not happen, father. I will take care of it.

HEROD. Will you? And how will you be able to recognize who shall be this man?

ARCHELAUS. By interrogating every man going to Bethlehem. Having spies amongst my men there. I have no fear. But father… the ancients… have been saying that for years. It is just a prophecy.

HEROD. Just a prophecy, my son?

ARCHELAUS. Embraced only by those unwise enough to worship their true king.

HEROD. You will be the king one day. But now you must learn. You must learn to take all threats seriously. What is unwise is to take that prophecy too lightly. That prophecy…

A blind man walks around talking to everyone.

BLIND MAN. Behold the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and do what is just and right in the land. (goes away)

TERO. (back) It is all being taken care of, Your Excellency.

HEROD. My good man, Tero. Anybody arisen suspicion? (Tero nods negative) Any sign of rebellion?

TERO. None. HEROD. Good.

BLIND MAN. (coming back) …raise up for David a righteous branch, and He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and…

HEROD. (to Tero) Bring that man to me!

Tero brings the blind man, who keeps repeating the prophecy.

8 BLIND MAN. …administer justice and do what is just and right in the land. Listen all people. The Messiah is coming.

HEROD. (in his face) My good man, you say the Messiah is coming?

BLIND MAN. The Messiah is coming. He will raise from…

TERO. (pushes him) Speak rational and wisely, old blind man, this is Your King you are speaking to.

BLIND MAN. He will raise up and reign for all people…

HEROD. Listen to me,noble man. When is he coming,would you know? BLIND MAN. He shall come soon. And He will be king for all people.

HEROD. What about me, then?

BLIND MAN. He sees every man as equals. None shall be above him or God. And when the Lord…

HEROD. Listen to me! Who is he? Who will be him? Do you know?

BLIND MAN. He will be king for all people. And He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and…

HEROD. (to Tero) Take him away.

Archelaus grabs him before Tero, moves him a few steps away while taking out a dagger and stabs him in the stomach.

HEROD. (to Tero) I said take him away!

BLIND MAN. (as is taken away by Tero) He shall come to you soon…

ARCHELAUS. He was just an insane old man, father.

HEROD. Old men are wise, Archelaus. There is a reason why they lived long to be old. You must not act by impulses. Blood does not wipes off the truth. Be wise to learn first,then take reigns.

TERO. (coming back with another man) This man is going to Bethlehem with his family.

HEROD. (kind) What is your name, my good man?

JACOB. My name is Jacob, Your Excellency. I work for my king, in construction. I am taking my family to Bethlehem for the census. But I promise we will be back as soon as the census is over.

HEROD. And who are the members of your family? Children how old?

JACOB. My wife, my daughter of four and my son of two.

HEROD. Good. Do you get enough compensation to raise and take care of your family, Jacob? 9 JACOB. Yes, Your Highness. We live a happy life here. I am your most gracious servant. Plea- se, if I have failed you, forgive me, let my family go to Bethlehem, I promise we will come back.

HEROD. You have not failed me, Jacob. I know you will be back. You are a noble family man, and I appreciate that.

JACOB. Thank you, Your Excellency! In the name of my family we thank you. Is there anything I can serve you, Your Excellency?

HEROD. (smiles) Well, now that you mention it, would you be willing to look out in Bethlehem for any man who preaches himself to be a kind of leader to the people?

JACOB. I will see that, my king, and I will bring you news.

HEROD. Thank you… my good man. (gestures Tero to take him away)

TERO. Your Highness… There are three men who came in from the east, from Persia, hundreds of miles away. They look like kings. They say they are following a star guiding them to the son of God.

HEROD. Oh really? Interesting! Tell me what they claim.

TERO. They believe that a new king awaits them now in .

HEROD. Where are they now? Bring them to me right now.

We go back to Joseph and others at the stable.

MELCHOIR. (worried) Yes… not everyone might be as receptive…

CASPER. We should not go back to Jerusalem.

BALTHAZAR. So what should we do then?

JOSEPH. I do not understand. Your faces are in fear. What happened in Jerusalem? Is it something you need to tell us? Speak Wise Men.

Under the look of the Wise Men, moving away deep in their thoughts, we go back to King Herod, now hosting the Wise Men.

HEROD. (to the wise men) Magi; the wisest of the wise, following the star of the prophecy of the Messiah…

MELCHOIR. Yes, king Herod, we are faithful in finding Him.

King Herod embraces Melchoir. Then steps away to Archelaus.

ARCHELAUS. Father, we must send our soldiers to follow them until they find the man we seek.

HEROD. And raise their suspicions? (back to Wise Men) For years I have studied the words of the prophets… This star you follow, what does it mean?

10 CASPER. The prophecy speaks of a child heralded by the star…

HEROD. A child? What do you mean? Are you not seeking a man? A man ready to proclaim himself Messiah? (gives a tense look to Archelaus, then back to Wise Men) I am happy then, we will be awaiting him too. When you find him… please return to us so that we may come worship him as well. (aside to Archelaus) Tell your men, find all children in or from Bethlehem up to two years old… and be done away with them. (Archelaus open his eyes surprised)

Scene #4: Wise Men go back to stable, now with Shepherds in. Joseph looks away worried.

CASPER. We shall not go back to Jerusalem. (silence, to Joseph) And you should not either. (Joseph nods in deep thought)

BALTHAZAR. (positive) But rejoice in this unique moment, a new life was born. All will be well.

MELCHIOR. We will forever celebrate Jesus was born on this day.

JOSEPH. (falls on his knees) God, help me understand, what is the meaning of all this?

MELCHIOR. The meaning is have faith... and be merry. Hope has come. We are not alone anymore. Now we celebrate.

CASPER. You did the right thing for Mary, and both of you will do the right thing for baby Jesus.

BALTHAZAR. The man to guide and lead us to justice, compassion, peace and redemption is no longer yet to come; He’s here. The man for all, the son of God has arrived.

ZEBULUN. We are all his sons, we are all sons of God.

JUSTUS. I…cannot describe it. I feel so full of hope right now.

ASHER. I just know we all need him.

JOSEPH. I am happy. I am happy. (pause) I am happy.

MELCHOIR. Let’s pray...

Innkeeper comes with fruits, fish and cheese.

INNKEEPER. Let us celebrate! I brought some fruits, fish, cheese.

NICODEMUS. Well, dreams do come true! (smiles, hugs Innkeeper)

All laugh. Joseph comes to the front looking at the sky.

JOSEPH. Welcome to the world, Jesus. We will celebrate.

CURTAIN

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