THE MAN WHO DIDN’T NEED CHRISTMAS
A Christmas Play
by
Delvyn C. Case, Jr.
The Man Who Didn’t Need Christmas
Copyright 2000
by Delvyn C. Case Jr.
All Rights Reserved
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INNKEEPER, 30’s-50’s
PILGRIMS, 20’s-50’s
ROMAN SOLDIER, 20’s-40’s
WIFE OF INNKEEPER, 20’s-40’s
JOSEPH, 20’s-30’s
MARY, 20’s-30’s
DAUGHTER #1, 12-16 years old
DAUGHTER #2, 12-16 years old
SHEPHERD #1, 20’s-40’s
SHEPHERD #2, 20’s-40’s
BALTHAZAR, 30’s-50’s
CASPER, 30’s-50’s
MEHCHIOR, 30’s-50’s
TIME
Days of Jesus’ birth
PLACE
Bethlehem
Right of center stage is the Inn. There is a front wall with a door and two windows. Beneath the stage right window is a sign hanging “No Room”. There is a bench stage left side of Inn.
Left of center is the Stable. There are bales of hay and a manger. There is a rough back wall and a simple roof.
THE MAN WHO DIDN’T NEED CHRISTMAS
ACT I
Scene 1—The Inn
(As lights come up on the Inn, the INNKEEPER is standing in front of the Inn with a broom in his hand. He is talking to the PILGRIMS. The ROMAN SOLDIER is standing stage right watching and listening to the action)
INNKEEPER
I’m sorry. We’re full.
(PILGRIMS looks at each with disappointment)
INNKEEPER (cont’d)
I hope you’ll find suitable lodging. (motioning stage right) Look in town. There are other inns there.
(PILGRIMS talk amongst themselves. The INNKEEPER sweeps the floor. The ROMAN SOLDIER crosses to the PILGRIMS. He points stage right. The PILGRIMS slowly cross to stage right. The ROMAN SOLDIER crosses to INNKEEPER)
ROMAN SOLDIER
You could’ve squeezed in a few more.
INNKEEPER
It wouldn’t have been safe. Certainly not comfortable.
ROMAN SOLDIER
You’re a good man. You know it’s against the law, too. But Rome would overlook occupancy limits during this busy time.
(WIFE enters from stage right carrying a basket of fruit. She passes PILGRIMS and nods to them. The PILGRIMS exit stage right. The WIFE crosses to the INNKEEPER)
ROMAN SOLDIER (cont’d)
More pilgrims mean a bigger census. A bigger census means more taxes. They all need a place to stay for one to two nights. The registration lines are a mile long. (nods to WIFE) Shalom, madam.
WIFE
Shalom, officer.
ROMAN SOLDIER
I was talking with your husband about how he is sending away pilgrims who need accommodations.
(WIFE approaches the bench and puts the bowl on the bench. She points toward the PILGRIMS)
WIFE
The inn’s full. We have a sign. (points to stage right) Was that another group?
INNKEEPER
They keep coming. There’s always hope.
(WIFE smiles at INNKEEPER)
WIFE
(to ROMAN SOLDIER)
My husband wants his guests comfortable. Rome know how much space he has.
ROMAN SOLDIER
Your husband’s an honest innkeeper and model citizen despite the circumstances. Rome understands your feelings about the occupation.
INNKEEPER
No Jew would admit liking Rome. But I appreciate the order and security of our town under Roman rule. Bethlehem’s never been safer…
ROMAN SOLDIER
…for making money.
INNKEEPER
(hands up in humbleness)
For all aspects of life.
ROMAN SOLDIER
A diplomat, too. Rome won’t forget her friends.
(INNKEEPER nods at ROMAN SOLDIER)
ROMAN SOLDIER (cont’d)
I must be on my rounds. Don’t send any more pilgrims away, if you can avoid it. They couldn’t find a cleaner, well-maintained inn anywhere in Bethlehem. You have a great spot here.
INNKEEPER
Thank you.
ROMAN SOLDIER
Put them anywhere. (nodding to WIFE) Good evening, madam.
WIFE
Shalom, officer.
ROMAN SOLDIER
Shalom.
(ROMAN SOLDIER exits stage right)
INNKEEPER
Was the market busy this afternoon?
WIFE
Packed with pilgrims.
INKEEPER
They keep coming. I’ll run at full capacity for months to come. Maybe I can expand the inn! (holds WIFE’S hands) Then I’ll be able to buy everything we’ve ever wanted.
WIFE
You’ve always provided for our needs.
(WIFE picks up bowl. INNKEEPER sweeps with broom)
INNKEEPER
I thought you’d be getting home sooner.
(INNKEEPER and WIFE sit on bench)
WIFE
I would have but there was a big commotion at the Temple. I couldn’t get pass the crowd. The priests were talking about a new prophet…
INNKEEPER
Priests! They can always get a crowd if they talk about prophets and the future. They can’t get anyone to the Temple if they preach about being good so you can please God. That’s what counts!
WIFE
One of the priest’s wife has given birth to...
INNKEEPER
That’s not unusual.
WIFE
It does when the wife’s beyond the years of bearing children.
INNKEEPER
(shakes head) (bored)
So, what happened?
WIFE
She gave birth to a son. They call him John. The father’s a priest called Zecharias. He had a vision in the Temple last fall.
INNKEEPER
A vision? Why does it have to be supernatural? The rabbis fill their pockets by scaring the people about…nonsense. What’s here is all there is. We don’t need prophets and visions.
(WIFE looks discouraged)
WIFE
(excitedly)
Then they talked about the pilgrims. They said this vast movement of people is more than just about Rome. The priests claimed the Scriptures have foretold that the Messiah is coming, and coming now.
INNKEEPER
They’re always saying that. Nothing’s happened in hundreds of years, four hundred or so. We’re an insignificant colony at the edge of the vast Roman empire. Nothing’s going to happen to the Jewish people—no prophecies, no Messiah. Rome’s the future for us.
WIFE
(discouraged)
We mean nothing to Rome.
(WIFE stands and crosses to entrance of Inn)
INNKEEPER
(shakes head)
You and I have a thriving business at the edge of town where nobody bothers us. We have a good relationship with the authorities. (taps chest) We control our own destiny.
WIFE
I don’t think so.
INNKEEPER
And the Roman soldier who is in charge of this district is our friend.
WIFE
Wait and see.
(INNKEEPER looks confused. WIFE exits into Inn. JOSEPH and MARY enter from stage right. JOSEPH carries two bags over shoulders. MARY is at term. She has hands under abdomen trying to hold it up. She is weary. They cross to Inn, look at the sign and each other, and stop)
JOSEPH
Shalom, sir.
INNKEEPER
Shalom. I’m sorry. We’re full. (points to sign) The sign. That’s why it’s there.
JOSEPH
I know. I read the sign. But my wife is due.
INNKEEPER
(looking at MARY)
Yes, yes. I can see that.
JOSEPH
She may deliver tonight.
(MARY has a strong labor pain and puts one hand on JOSEPH’S arm)
MARY
(imploringly)
Joseph! Please!
JOSEPH
(puts arm around MARY)
Her labor pains are only a few minutes apart…and steady.
INNKEEPER
(pointing toward door of Inn)
I couldn’t possibly fit another person in there even if I wanted to. It’s too crowded. Then there’s the law.
(MARY slumps down in labor pain. JOSEPH keeps arm around her as she slumps to ground)
MARY
Joseph, it hurts so much. The long trip. I shouldn’t have come here.
JOSEPH
You had to, Mary. I wouldn’t have dragged you here if it weren’t for the census.
(to INNKEEPER)
Please sir. We don’t have much time.
(MARY grabs JOSEPH’S arm)
MARY
(in intense pain)
The baby…
INNKEEPER
(nervously)
What can I do? (thinking) “Put them anywhere”.
(JOSEPH and MARY put arms around each other)
INNKEEPER (cont’d)
It isn’t much but I have a stable. There are no facilities in there. But you can have it if you want.
(JOSEPH picks up MARY. INNKEEPER helps JOSEPH)
JOSEPH
(genuinely)
Thank you, sir. We’ll take what God provides.
INNKEEPER
What God provides? (taps chest) It’s my…
MARY
I must lie down.
(WIFE enters from Inn)
INNKEEPER
(points toward Stable)
It’s right there to the side.
(JOSEPH almost carries MARY)
JOSEPH
This way, Mary.
INNKEEPER
Can I show you…?
JOSEPH
We’re all right.
(MARY stiffens)
JOSEPH (cont’d)
Hold on. Just a little longer.
(JOSEPH and MARY exit to Stable. WIFE crosses to INNKEEPER)
WIFE
More pilgrims?
INNKEEPER
They’re still coming. Now we’re over capacity. I will expand the inn!
WIFE
Why didn’t you send that couple away?
INNKEEPER
His wife’s ready to deliver.
WIFE
But the stable?
INNKEEPER
At least it’ll be private. (pointing toward Inn) It wouldn’t be in there on the floor with fifty strangers lying around them, men, women, all sorts.
WIFE
You have a good heart, dear, to consider delicate matters even for strangers.
(DAUGHTER #1 and #2 enter from stage right, poking and pushing each other)
INNKEEPER
(to WIFE)
They’ll need help.
(DAUGHTER #1 and #2 cross to Inn)
WIFE
I could…
DAUGHTER #1
Shalom, Dad.
DAUGHTER #2
Shalom, Mom.
INNKEEPER
Shalom, girls. Did you do the chores for your grandmother this afternoon?
DAUGHTER #1
Yes we did.
INNKEEPER
(pointing to Stable)
Would you—both of you—please go to into the stable and help the couple I let stay there?
DAUGHTER #1
You didn’t?
INNKEEPER
Didn’t what?
DAUGHTER #2
You didn’t let someone stay in the stable?
INNKEEPER
I did.
DAUGHTER #1
You can’t.
INNKEEPER
Can’t?
DAUGHTER #2
We cleaned it this morning and… (dramatically) it was such hard work.
DAUGHTER #1
They’ll make a mess.
INNKEEPER
How do you know?
DAUGHTER #2
(folds hands in front of her in defiance)
What are they going to do there?
INNKEEPER
Rest.
DAUGHTER #2
Yes.
INNKEEPER
Sleep.
DAUGHTER #2
OK.
INNKEEPER
And have a baby.
DAUGHTER #1
They’re not going to make a mess?
INNKEEPER
Why do you think I let them stay there? The young woman could hardly walk. She’s very pregnant.
(DAUGHTER #1 and #2 hold their arms in defiance)
WIFE
Go! Your Dad wants you to help them. He’s taught you to care for others.
DAUGHTER #1
(dramatically)
We so tired. We cleaned the Stable this morning, then all the chores around Grandma’s…
WIFE
(waving at DAUGHTER #1 and #2)
Right now.
DAUGHTER #1
We’re going. We’re going!
(DAUGHTER #1 and #2 exit quickly to Stable. INNKEEPER and WIFE watch them exit)
INNKEEPER
(shakes head)
Kids! (smiling) We were the same way.
(WIFE smiles back at INNKEEPER. INNKEEPER crosses to WIFE and puts arm around her)
WIFE
You’re so patient with them. I love you.
(black out)
Scene 2—The Stable
(As lights come up on Stable, MARY is leaning against
A story about the innkeeper in Bethlehem who feels his life is fine but starts to learn maybe something is missing.
Author: Delvyn Case
Synopsis:
The innkeeper at Bethlehem was a good man, and very satisfied with his life. He didn't think he was missing anything, but he had some to learn.
The Man Who Didn't Need Christmas
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Available Options
| Name Product | Quantity | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Script | +$5.50 | ||
|
Perf. Royalty | +$20.00 | ||
| Total Box: | ||||