ANIMALS AT THE CHRISTMAS SCENE – by Tanis Harms, © 2014
ANIMALS AT THE CHRISTMAS SCENE – by Tanis Harms, © 2014
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
STYLE: (30 pages)
Fantasy, drama.
PREMISE:
Pretending that animals can talk, this is how the Christmas story might have played out from their points of view.
TOPIC:
Story and purpose of Jesus’ birth.
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 1:18-2:18; Luke 2:1-20; Zech.9:9.
CHARACTERS (LINE COUNT) DESCRIPTION:
( 0) HOST – can be the Pastor or anyone
(33) COW 1 – female, prissy and a bit touchy
(10) COW 2 – female, tentatively nervous
(27) COW 3 – female, assertive
(22) PIG – touch with street smarts
(29) HEN – female, plucky and indignant
( 6) DONKEY – scared and oblivious
(36) CAT – female, proud and snobby
(22) DOG – dutiful and attentive
(17) SHEEP 1 – surfer-dude-like
(21) SHEEP 2 – surfer-dude-like
(19) SHEEP 3 – surfer-dude-like
(42) OWL – wise and a little eccentric, scripture quoter
( 8) CAMEL – very tall, very mysterious
(11) HORSE – male, a big, tall, arrogant bully
NOTES:
- Disperse the lines differently to incorporate more actors, like adding cows, hens, sheep, camels or horses.
PROPS:
Piece of straw; costumes can be as simple as a big label or a headband with ears, etc. to tell the “animals” apart.
SCRIPT: outside stable in Bethlehem
HOST:
Let’s have fun and pretend for a while that animals can talk. Particularly the animals during the birth of Christ.
(Cows moo and shuffle in from stage right while staying all bunched together.)
COW 1:
Hey, you can stop now. You’re like, cramping my style.
COW 2:
It’s dark. It’s very dark out here.
(Cows stop in bunch and look around using mostly their eyes, but Cow 2 still tries to move in closer.)
COW 1:
(to Cow 2)
WHAT is your problem?!
COW 3:
I think you’re the one with the problem. Perhaps you have a case of claustrophobia.
COW 1:
Do not psycho-analyze me. She’s the one with issues.
COW 2:
I’m scared. I think I hear something out there.
(Cows all keep quiet in their bunch and look around using just their eyes. From stage left, Pig pokes his head out while oinking.)
COW 1:
Where? What?... Okay - Who’s there?
COW 2:
(panicking)
See? Do you hear that?
(Pig now does an oinking kind of laugh then snorts.)
COW 3:
(lowly, to Cows)
Sh! It’s a wild pig.
COW 2:
(calling out)
Get away from us you – you - unclean animal–you!
PIG:
(stepping out)
Hey! You’re on my turf now, man. Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll let you stay.
COW 3:
We really shouldn’t have anything to do with him.
COW 1:
Just ignore him.
(Cows stand closer together, chewing, and looking around nonchalantly with just their eyes. Hen enters stage right squawking and flapping and almost “flies” into Pig.)
HEN:
Oh! Oh-oh, pig-pig-pig, don’t touch the pig!
(Hen backs away from Pig, stopping between Pig and Cows.)
COW 2:
Did the innkeeper chase you out of the stable too?
HEN:
Yes! How rude is THAT?! Kicked out of our own stable! Something about a BABY who’s going to be born soon. But, it’s still rude, if you ask me.
COW 3:
I quite agree. When I had my babies, no one was kicked out so I could be alone.
COW 1:
So what’s so special about THIS baby?
HEN:
Nothing! It’s just going to be a HUMAN baby.
COWS:
Ooooooo.
(Donkey wanders in quietly from stage right and stands cowering nervously between the Cows and Hen. Hen looks at Donkey and squawks in fear. Backing up, Hen almost runs into Pig again and squawks loudly because of that. Hen then huddles between the Donkey and Pig.)
COW 3:
(to Donkey)
And just who are you?
COW 1:
Hey, are you part of the reason we were kicked out of our nice warm stable?
DONKEY:
Ahhhh, hee-ahhhh, ahhh... I don’t know.
(Cows take an intimidating step toward Donkey. Donkey cowers some more with arms held straight down but scrunching them in timidly.)
HEN:
Yes it is, it’s his fault we were chased out of our nice warm stable!
DONKEY:
Wh-wh-why you say that? A-a-and it’s not THAT warm in there.
(Suddenly brave, Hen takes a step closer to Donkey.)
HEN:
Warmer than out here! Anyway, don’t change the subject. I saw you. You were the one who brought those people here. Why would you DO that? Huh? And why would those people want to stay in our stable, anyway?
DONKEY:
Th-th-they didn’t want to. Th-they wanted to stay in the inn. B-but - a lot of people are traveling. So, th-th-there was no room at the inn.
COW 1:
So the innkeeper offered them our stable?
PIG:
If I may ask, why are so many people traveling?
DONKEY:
Oh, s-something about going to their ancestor’s birthplace. To - to be counted.
COW 2:
Oh! Been THERE!
COW 3:
People love counting things, don’t they?
(Cat comes slinking in from stage right. Hen notices her first. Hen becomes very catty and prissy-like.)
COW 1:
Ooooo, if it isn’t the innkeeper’s cat.
CAT:
(arrogantly)
Me-ow.
COW 1:
Ooooo, and so catty.
(Cat hisses into Cow 1’s face “Sh!”, then walks with her nose in the air and turns her head as she passes Pig. Cat stops to the right of Pig to lick her paws then wipe her face– a few times until- Cat suddenly spins around at Pig and freezes. Then claws the air at Pig with a little hiss. Cat steps to the left of Pig to be more in front, then turns forward again to continue primping.)
CAT:
Sh!... Just YOU stay away from me.
(Cat looks around at all the animals with a yawn, stretches luxuriously, then talks with animals, but continues to look at the congregation.)
CAT:
Ssssooo, what’s going on? Why are YOU all hanging out HERE– with a PIG?
COW 3:
We were kicked out of the stable.
HEN:
A human baby is going to be born.
CAT:
Ooooh. Well, boo hoo, poor you. Isn’t it so very sad that you were all born as OTHER animals. Now, if you were a CAT, you’d have the opportunity to live inside a HOUSE.
COW 3:
So what are you doing out here, then?
CAT:
I- just decided to come out for some fresh air.
(Cat tries to hide her shivers and teeth chattering.)
HEN:
That’s a first! I’ve never seen you outside at night. Except in the summer.
COW 3:
Yeah.
CAT:
Sh!...
(being “found out”, quickly confesses)
Oh all right then! There are so many people crammed into all those rooms. It’s simply overflowing with people. And some of them have horrible little children. I was just tired of them pulling my whiskers, and ears, and– my tail.
(Cat rubs each part mentioned. For the tail, she coyly puts her arms behind her back, looking down mournfully.)
HEN:
(sarcastically)
Life must be soooo hard! Poor little kitty-cat.
(Pig snorts out a laugh. Cat hisses, then prowls around.)
CAT:
Sh! Hey, I’m NOT poor. This PIG– is POOR! And is dirty and disgusting. But ME? I’m just ALL that! You know? I can’t help it that EVERYONE wants to love me, and feed me, and WORSHIP me.
COW 1:
Whoa-whoa-whoa – WHO wants to worship YOU?
CAT:
The Egyptians, to name a FEW. They believe I - am - a god.
(Hen cackles loudly. Cow 1 takes out a long straw and waves it out in front of Cat.)
COW 1:
Hey, cat! Lookie here, kitty-kitty-kitty. Lookie what I have... (etc.)
(Cat becomes super alert. With keen interest, Cat’s eyes and head wave back and forth along with the waving straw. Finally, Cat skips up to the straw and playfully starts batting at it. Cow 1 drops the straw. Cat pounces and plays with it on the ground, but stops short when everyone bursts out laughing.)
CAT:
What?!
COW 3:
Well, I don’t get it. I mean, look at you. You get distracted by a piece of straw! HOW could anyone think YOU were a god?
(Cat hisses, but is interrupted by a brief baby’s cry. Suddenly, a bright light shines down from stage right. The animals quietly look up at the light.)
COW 2:
All right! It’s not dark anymore.
COW 3:
But- where did THAT come from?
CAT:
I could go look into that.
HEN:
They’re going to kick you out.
CAT:
(looking back while rolling her eyes)
Please, I’m a cat. The Egyptians worship me.
HEN:
Whatever!
(As all the animals break out into laugher again, Sheep and Dog come bounding in from stage left. To get out of their way, Pig moves forward and as far stage left as possible, then sits down. Dog herds Sheep in by running behind them back and forth, barking. Dog then leaps forward to stop the Sheep from moving any further.)
DOG:
Stop!... No. Don’t move.
SHEEP 2:
Dude. So, are we there yet?
DOG:
Yes, I believe so.
SHEEP 2:
YES! Finally!
DOG:
The shepherds SAID this was Bethlehem, the city of David.
SHEEP 1:
Just like the angel talked about. Dude!
COW 1:
Angel? What kind of animal is that?
SHEEP 3:
Ooooo, there were more than just one. And you should’a seen them. Very pretty. And very bright.
SHEEP 2:
And at first, very scary.
SHEEP 1:
But the most awesome part was, like, what they told us.
COW 3:
And just what was that?
SHEEP 1:
That a BABY was going to be born.
SHEEP 3:
Dude.
HEN:
Just so happens, a baby was just born, right over there in our stable. But– I mean– so what– it’s JUST a baby?
COW 3:
Yeah, lots of babies are born.
SHEEP 2:
Dude! THIS- is an awesomely SPECIAL baby!
SHEEP 1:
Yeah, this angel appeared –
COW 1:
So you’ve said.
SHEEP 2:
And it was very scary – at first.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah – at first.
COW 3:
So you’ve said.
SHEEP 1:
And ahhh, the angel said... ahhhh...
(Sheep pause to think. Dog shakes head and steps forward.)
DOG:
I remember what the angel said.
SHEEP 3:
Well, dude, go for it, then.
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, you tell ‘em.
SHEEP 1:
It’s really awesome stuff. It really is.
DOG:
The angel said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people, for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
COW 1:
(not getting it)
Yeah, well, this baby here, was born in a STABLE.
COW 3:
Duh! The manger is IN the stable! Wait! They’re putting this baby in my manger- where they put my food?
SHEEP 1:
Don’t you get it? This baby is way special.
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, because after, like, THAT– a whole bunch of angels appeared in the sky, and said something.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, they said something else. Like, ahhhh–
(to DOG)
Go ahead, tell ‘em what they said.
DOG:
The whole sky of angels were praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
OWL:
(from offstage-right)
Who!
DOG:
No, I’m pretty sure they said, “WHOM He is pleased.”
(Owl flaps his way out and pretends to land next to cows, and does some owl-type-stepping to settle down.)
OWL:
No-no-no-no-no, I just said, “who” as in, what owls say, because I’m an owl. But what I SHOULD have said is, “What?” As in, could you please repeat that last part again?
DOG:
Ah, sure. The angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth– PEACE among men with whom He is pleased.”
OWL:
Outstanding!
PIG:
I’d say! Peace on earth?! This little baby is going to bring PEACE on earth? That would be nice.
OWL:
Indeed. And it will happen. I am convinced of it, especially now. This baby being born– means the prophecies have begun. It’s all starting to make so much sense.
COW 3:
What are you talking about?
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, like scents, as in odors and aromas? Are you trying to tell us we smell bad?
HEN:
If anyone smells, it’s that pig over there.
PIG:
Hey!
OWL:
Sense, as in reason. The logic that formulates in one’s brain in order to glean knowledge and wisdom.
SHEEP 1:
Yeah, that’s not going to help us.
SHEEP 3:
At least we don’t smell bad.
(Dog whines a sigh of mild frustration.)
COW 1:
Quiet and let the owl explain.
OWL:
Okay, so there are prophecies in the scriptures that have spoken of this very thing.
SHEEP 2:
Prophecies? Scriptures? All these big words. You’re really blowing our minds here.
DOG:
Please, smaller words- for the smaller minds.
OWL:
(tilting head to think)
The God of creation, who created all of us, has written words to the people, which they can read for themselves.
COW 1:
How do you know all this?
COW 3:
Owls are wise, or so they say.
OWL:
It says in the book of Micah “’But as for you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you- One will go forth from Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.’ Therefore, He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child...”
SHEEP 3:
Okay, so that’s like, talking about the baby that’s just been born, and is in that stable right now?
OWL:
Yes, and it goes on to say that when He grows up, “...He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.”
SHEEP 3:
Whoa! Shepherd. He’s going to be our shepherd?
OWL:
Yes, He will be THE Shepherd– for all the people.
SHEEP 2:
Whoa! People need a shepherd too?
DOG:
(ironically)
I believe that.
OWL:
And there’s more, “He will be great to the ends of the earth. And this One will be our peace...”
PIG:
There it is again– peace.
HEN:
Why are YOU so hung up about peace?
PIG:
You DO realize that everyone HATES me. But maybe one day, I, too, will be loved.
(Cow 1 suddenly swings back to Owl.)
COW 1:
Wait a minute! How can we trust you? I mean, really! Are YOU– able to READ?
OWL:
Well, I don’t read–
HEN:
AH ha! He’s a fake.
(As Owl speaks, animals become lulled by the story.)
OWL:
Who? Me? No-no-no. I grew up near Jerusalem. One night, as I was flying over the city looking for food, I saw candlelight from a window. Needing a rest, I found a tree branch nearby, and I could hear a man reading. He would always read scriptures aloud, every night at the same time. The words were so amazing, they were like spiritual food. And I was always hungry to hear more, so I would go back, every night, again and again, just to hear these words.
HEN:
And just who was this man?
OWL:
His name was Simeon, a rabbi at the temple.
PIG:
So what else did it say? These, scriptures?
OWL:
WWHHhhOooo, let’s see...
(thinking)
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, dude, I want to know why people would need a shepherd.
(Sheep giggle and agree.)
OWL:
Well, in the Psalms, God’s people are likened to being sheep of His pasture.
HEN:
So it’s a symbol?
OWL:
Yes, and Isaiah uses this symbol further. When people sin, they become like LOST sheep.
SHEEP 2:
Oh, that’s so not cool - not cool at all.
SHEEP 3:
Ahhhh, so people need to be found and saved from the wolves, too.
SHEEP 1:
Oh, those poor lost people-sheep.
DOG:
Hey, I’m pretty faithful and always there to help out.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, dude - to HELP, as best as you can, but you’re so not a shepherd.
DOG:
(sadly)
Noooo, you’re right, I’m not. I still need some help too, like being fed, and getting attention from the shepherd.
SHEEP 1:
Oh, those poor lost people-sheep.
(Camel walks in stage left, and stands in the background, looking aloof. Slowly all the Animals begin to notice and wonder about Camel, and begin whispering to each other.)
COW 2:
Psst. Who IS that? WHAT is that?
COW 3:
Excuse me, but, what are you?
(Camel looks down at Cow 3 and looks long and hard right into the Cow 1’s face.)
CAMEL:
I - am - a camel.
COW 3:
Oh. I – see?.. Very well. Carry on then.
(Cow 3 turns to others and makes a “whatever” face.)
HEN:
(to Cows)
Okay, but what is it doing here? This– camel. I hope the innkeepers didn’t buy this beast and expect it to share our stable. Can you imagine how crowded we’re going to be?
(Cat strolls in and almost walks into the Camel. Cat slowly looks up at it.)
CAT:
Excuse me, big guy.
(All the animals take note at Cat’s coolness.)
CAT:
There are more of those camels way over there.
HEN:
We won’t all fit! What are we going to do?!
CAT:
Relax, they’re just visiting. Good thing, too. They’re ornery, and they spit.
COW 3:
And just who are they visiting?
CAT:
The baby.
HEN:
They didn’t throw you out?
(Cat is now humble and speaks with a purr-like quality.)
CAT:
Noooo. Well Mrs. Innkeeper wanted to throw me out, but the nice lady said to leave me alone. They were all very nice, but the baby was the sweetest. I can tell. THAT baby- is going to grow up and NEVER pull my ears, or my whiskers- or my tail. It’s the nicest baby I’ve ever seen! Oh, the baby’s name is Jesus, by the way. And, I would have stayed there a LOT longer.
HEN:
So why didn’t you?
CAT:
Well, all these visitors came. It got very crowded. Again.
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
STYLE: (30 pages)
Fantasy, drama.
PREMISE:
Pretending that animals can talk, this is how the Christmas story might have played out from their points of view.
TOPIC:
Story and purpose of Jesus’ birth.
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 1:18-2:18; Luke 2:1-20; Zech.9:9.
CHARACTERS (LINE COUNT) DESCRIPTION:
( 0) HOST – can be the Pastor or anyone
(33) COW 1 – female, prissy and a bit touchy
(10) COW 2 – female, tentatively nervous
(27) COW 3 – female, assertive
(22) PIG – touch with street smarts
(29) HEN – female, plucky and indignant
( 6) DONKEY – scared and oblivious
(36) CAT – female, proud and snobby
(22) DOG – dutiful and attentive
(17) SHEEP 1 – surfer-dude-like
(21) SHEEP 2 – surfer-dude-like
(19) SHEEP 3 – surfer-dude-like
(42) OWL – wise and a little eccentric, scripture quoter
( 8) CAMEL – very tall, very mysterious
(11) HORSE – male, a big, tall, arrogant bully
NOTES:
- Disperse the lines differently to incorporate more actors, like adding cows, hens, sheep, camels or horses.
PROPS:
Piece of straw; costumes can be as simple as a big label or a headband with ears, etc. to tell the “animals” apart.
SCRIPT: outside stable in Bethlehem
HOST:
Let’s have fun and pretend for a while that animals can talk. Particularly the animals during the birth of Christ.
(Cows moo and shuffle in from stage right while staying all bunched together.)
COW 1:
Hey, you can stop now. You’re like, cramping my style.
COW 2:
It’s dark. It’s very dark out here.
(Cows stop in bunch and look around using mostly their eyes, but Cow 2 still tries to move in closer.)
COW 1:
(to Cow 2)
WHAT is your problem?!
COW 3:
I think you’re the one with the problem. Perhaps you have a case of claustrophobia.
COW 1:
Do not psycho-analyze me. She’s the one with issues.
COW 2:
I’m scared. I think I hear something out there.
(Cows all keep quiet in their bunch and look around using just their eyes. From stage left, Pig pokes his head out while oinking.)
COW 1:
Where? What?... Okay - Who’s there?
COW 2:
(panicking)
See? Do you hear that?
(Pig now does an oinking kind of laugh then snorts.)
COW 3:
(lowly, to Cows)
Sh! It’s a wild pig.
COW 2:
(calling out)
Get away from us you – you - unclean animal–you!
PIG:
(stepping out)
Hey! You’re on my turf now, man. Maybe if you’re nice, I’ll let you stay.
COW 3:
We really shouldn’t have anything to do with him.
COW 1:
Just ignore him.
(Cows stand closer together, chewing, and looking around nonchalantly with just their eyes. Hen enters stage right squawking and flapping and almost “flies” into Pig.)
HEN:
Oh! Oh-oh, pig-pig-pig, don’t touch the pig!
(Hen backs away from Pig, stopping between Pig and Cows.)
COW 2:
Did the innkeeper chase you out of the stable too?
HEN:
Yes! How rude is THAT?! Kicked out of our own stable! Something about a BABY who’s going to be born soon. But, it’s still rude, if you ask me.
COW 3:
I quite agree. When I had my babies, no one was kicked out so I could be alone.
COW 1:
So what’s so special about THIS baby?
HEN:
Nothing! It’s just going to be a HUMAN baby.
COWS:
Ooooooo.
(Donkey wanders in quietly from stage right and stands cowering nervously between the Cows and Hen. Hen looks at Donkey and squawks in fear. Backing up, Hen almost runs into Pig again and squawks loudly because of that. Hen then huddles between the Donkey and Pig.)
COW 3:
(to Donkey)
And just who are you?
COW 1:
Hey, are you part of the reason we were kicked out of our nice warm stable?
DONKEY:
Ahhhh, hee-ahhhh, ahhh... I don’t know.
(Cows take an intimidating step toward Donkey. Donkey cowers some more with arms held straight down but scrunching them in timidly.)
HEN:
Yes it is, it’s his fault we were chased out of our nice warm stable!
DONKEY:
Wh-wh-why you say that? A-a-and it’s not THAT warm in there.
(Suddenly brave, Hen takes a step closer to Donkey.)
HEN:
Warmer than out here! Anyway, don’t change the subject. I saw you. You were the one who brought those people here. Why would you DO that? Huh? And why would those people want to stay in our stable, anyway?
DONKEY:
Th-th-they didn’t want to. Th-they wanted to stay in the inn. B-but - a lot of people are traveling. So, th-th-there was no room at the inn.
COW 1:
So the innkeeper offered them our stable?
PIG:
If I may ask, why are so many people traveling?
DONKEY:
Oh, s-something about going to their ancestor’s birthplace. To - to be counted.
COW 2:
Oh! Been THERE!
COW 3:
People love counting things, don’t they?
(Cat comes slinking in from stage right. Hen notices her first. Hen becomes very catty and prissy-like.)
COW 1:
Ooooo, if it isn’t the innkeeper’s cat.
CAT:
(arrogantly)
Me-ow.
COW 1:
Ooooo, and so catty.
(Cat hisses into Cow 1’s face “Sh!”, then walks with her nose in the air and turns her head as she passes Pig. Cat stops to the right of Pig to lick her paws then wipe her face– a few times until- Cat suddenly spins around at Pig and freezes. Then claws the air at Pig with a little hiss. Cat steps to the left of Pig to be more in front, then turns forward again to continue primping.)
CAT:
Sh!... Just YOU stay away from me.
(Cat looks around at all the animals with a yawn, stretches luxuriously, then talks with animals, but continues to look at the congregation.)
CAT:
Ssssooo, what’s going on? Why are YOU all hanging out HERE– with a PIG?
COW 3:
We were kicked out of the stable.
HEN:
A human baby is going to be born.
CAT:
Ooooh. Well, boo hoo, poor you. Isn’t it so very sad that you were all born as OTHER animals. Now, if you were a CAT, you’d have the opportunity to live inside a HOUSE.
COW 3:
So what are you doing out here, then?
CAT:
I- just decided to come out for some fresh air.
(Cat tries to hide her shivers and teeth chattering.)
HEN:
That’s a first! I’ve never seen you outside at night. Except in the summer.
COW 3:
Yeah.
CAT:
Sh!...
(being “found out”, quickly confesses)
Oh all right then! There are so many people crammed into all those rooms. It’s simply overflowing with people. And some of them have horrible little children. I was just tired of them pulling my whiskers, and ears, and– my tail.
(Cat rubs each part mentioned. For the tail, she coyly puts her arms behind her back, looking down mournfully.)
HEN:
(sarcastically)
Life must be soooo hard! Poor little kitty-cat.
(Pig snorts out a laugh. Cat hisses, then prowls around.)
CAT:
Sh! Hey, I’m NOT poor. This PIG– is POOR! And is dirty and disgusting. But ME? I’m just ALL that! You know? I can’t help it that EVERYONE wants to love me, and feed me, and WORSHIP me.
COW 1:
Whoa-whoa-whoa – WHO wants to worship YOU?
CAT:
The Egyptians, to name a FEW. They believe I - am - a god.
(Hen cackles loudly. Cow 1 takes out a long straw and waves it out in front of Cat.)
COW 1:
Hey, cat! Lookie here, kitty-kitty-kitty. Lookie what I have... (etc.)
(Cat becomes super alert. With keen interest, Cat’s eyes and head wave back and forth along with the waving straw. Finally, Cat skips up to the straw and playfully starts batting at it. Cow 1 drops the straw. Cat pounces and plays with it on the ground, but stops short when everyone bursts out laughing.)
CAT:
What?!
COW 3:
Well, I don’t get it. I mean, look at you. You get distracted by a piece of straw! HOW could anyone think YOU were a god?
(Cat hisses, but is interrupted by a brief baby’s cry. Suddenly, a bright light shines down from stage right. The animals quietly look up at the light.)
COW 2:
All right! It’s not dark anymore.
COW 3:
But- where did THAT come from?
CAT:
I could go look into that.
HEN:
They’re going to kick you out.
CAT:
(looking back while rolling her eyes)
Please, I’m a cat. The Egyptians worship me.
HEN:
Whatever!
(As all the animals break out into laugher again, Sheep and Dog come bounding in from stage left. To get out of their way, Pig moves forward and as far stage left as possible, then sits down. Dog herds Sheep in by running behind them back and forth, barking. Dog then leaps forward to stop the Sheep from moving any further.)
DOG:
Stop!... No. Don’t move.
SHEEP 2:
Dude. So, are we there yet?
DOG:
Yes, I believe so.
SHEEP 2:
YES! Finally!
DOG:
The shepherds SAID this was Bethlehem, the city of David.
SHEEP 1:
Just like the angel talked about. Dude!
COW 1:
Angel? What kind of animal is that?
SHEEP 3:
Ooooo, there were more than just one. And you should’a seen them. Very pretty. And very bright.
SHEEP 2:
And at first, very scary.
SHEEP 1:
But the most awesome part was, like, what they told us.
COW 3:
And just what was that?
SHEEP 1:
That a BABY was going to be born.
SHEEP 3:
Dude.
HEN:
Just so happens, a baby was just born, right over there in our stable. But– I mean– so what– it’s JUST a baby?
COW 3:
Yeah, lots of babies are born.
SHEEP 2:
Dude! THIS- is an awesomely SPECIAL baby!
SHEEP 1:
Yeah, this angel appeared –
COW 1:
So you’ve said.
SHEEP 2:
And it was very scary – at first.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah – at first.
COW 3:
So you’ve said.
SHEEP 1:
And ahhh, the angel said... ahhhh...
(Sheep pause to think. Dog shakes head and steps forward.)
DOG:
I remember what the angel said.
SHEEP 3:
Well, dude, go for it, then.
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, you tell ‘em.
SHEEP 1:
It’s really awesome stuff. It really is.
DOG:
The angel said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people, for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
COW 1:
(not getting it)
Yeah, well, this baby here, was born in a STABLE.
COW 3:
Duh! The manger is IN the stable! Wait! They’re putting this baby in my manger- where they put my food?
SHEEP 1:
Don’t you get it? This baby is way special.
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, because after, like, THAT– a whole bunch of angels appeared in the sky, and said something.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, they said something else. Like, ahhhh–
(to DOG)
Go ahead, tell ‘em what they said.
DOG:
The whole sky of angels were praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
OWL:
(from offstage-right)
Who!
DOG:
No, I’m pretty sure they said, “WHOM He is pleased.”
(Owl flaps his way out and pretends to land next to cows, and does some owl-type-stepping to settle down.)
OWL:
No-no-no-no-no, I just said, “who” as in, what owls say, because I’m an owl. But what I SHOULD have said is, “What?” As in, could you please repeat that last part again?
DOG:
Ah, sure. The angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth– PEACE among men with whom He is pleased.”
OWL:
Outstanding!
PIG:
I’d say! Peace on earth?! This little baby is going to bring PEACE on earth? That would be nice.
OWL:
Indeed. And it will happen. I am convinced of it, especially now. This baby being born– means the prophecies have begun. It’s all starting to make so much sense.
COW 3:
What are you talking about?
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, like scents, as in odors and aromas? Are you trying to tell us we smell bad?
HEN:
If anyone smells, it’s that pig over there.
PIG:
Hey!
OWL:
Sense, as in reason. The logic that formulates in one’s brain in order to glean knowledge and wisdom.
SHEEP 1:
Yeah, that’s not going to help us.
SHEEP 3:
At least we don’t smell bad.
(Dog whines a sigh of mild frustration.)
COW 1:
Quiet and let the owl explain.
OWL:
Okay, so there are prophecies in the scriptures that have spoken of this very thing.
SHEEP 2:
Prophecies? Scriptures? All these big words. You’re really blowing our minds here.
DOG:
Please, smaller words- for the smaller minds.
OWL:
(tilting head to think)
The God of creation, who created all of us, has written words to the people, which they can read for themselves.
COW 1:
How do you know all this?
COW 3:
Owls are wise, or so they say.
OWL:
It says in the book of Micah “’But as for you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you- One will go forth from Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.’ Therefore, He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child...”
SHEEP 3:
Okay, so that’s like, talking about the baby that’s just been born, and is in that stable right now?
OWL:
Yes, and it goes on to say that when He grows up, “...He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God.”
SHEEP 3:
Whoa! Shepherd. He’s going to be our shepherd?
OWL:
Yes, He will be THE Shepherd– for all the people.
SHEEP 2:
Whoa! People need a shepherd too?
DOG:
(ironically)
I believe that.
OWL:
And there’s more, “He will be great to the ends of the earth. And this One will be our peace...”
PIG:
There it is again– peace.
HEN:
Why are YOU so hung up about peace?
PIG:
You DO realize that everyone HATES me. But maybe one day, I, too, will be loved.
(Cow 1 suddenly swings back to Owl.)
COW 1:
Wait a minute! How can we trust you? I mean, really! Are YOU– able to READ?
OWL:
Well, I don’t read–
HEN:
AH ha! He’s a fake.
(As Owl speaks, animals become lulled by the story.)
OWL:
Who? Me? No-no-no. I grew up near Jerusalem. One night, as I was flying over the city looking for food, I saw candlelight from a window. Needing a rest, I found a tree branch nearby, and I could hear a man reading. He would always read scriptures aloud, every night at the same time. The words were so amazing, they were like spiritual food. And I was always hungry to hear more, so I would go back, every night, again and again, just to hear these words.
HEN:
And just who was this man?
OWL:
His name was Simeon, a rabbi at the temple.
PIG:
So what else did it say? These, scriptures?
OWL:
WWHHhhOooo, let’s see...
(thinking)
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, dude, I want to know why people would need a shepherd.
(Sheep giggle and agree.)
OWL:
Well, in the Psalms, God’s people are likened to being sheep of His pasture.
HEN:
So it’s a symbol?
OWL:
Yes, and Isaiah uses this symbol further. When people sin, they become like LOST sheep.
SHEEP 2:
Oh, that’s so not cool - not cool at all.
SHEEP 3:
Ahhhh, so people need to be found and saved from the wolves, too.
SHEEP 1:
Oh, those poor lost people-sheep.
DOG:
Hey, I’m pretty faithful and always there to help out.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, dude - to HELP, as best as you can, but you’re so not a shepherd.
DOG:
(sadly)
Noooo, you’re right, I’m not. I still need some help too, like being fed, and getting attention from the shepherd.
SHEEP 1:
Oh, those poor lost people-sheep.
(Camel walks in stage left, and stands in the background, looking aloof. Slowly all the Animals begin to notice and wonder about Camel, and begin whispering to each other.)
COW 2:
Psst. Who IS that? WHAT is that?
COW 3:
Excuse me, but, what are you?
(Camel looks down at Cow 3 and looks long and hard right into the Cow 1’s face.)
CAMEL:
I - am - a camel.
COW 3:
Oh. I – see?.. Very well. Carry on then.
(Cow 3 turns to others and makes a “whatever” face.)
HEN:
(to Cows)
Okay, but what is it doing here? This– camel. I hope the innkeepers didn’t buy this beast and expect it to share our stable. Can you imagine how crowded we’re going to be?
(Cat strolls in and almost walks into the Camel. Cat slowly looks up at it.)
CAT:
Excuse me, big guy.
(All the animals take note at Cat’s coolness.)
CAT:
There are more of those camels way over there.
HEN:
We won’t all fit! What are we going to do?!
CAT:
Relax, they’re just visiting. Good thing, too. They’re ornery, and they spit.
COW 3:
And just who are they visiting?
CAT:
The baby.
HEN:
They didn’t throw you out?
(Cat is now humble and speaks with a purr-like quality.)
CAT:
Noooo. Well Mrs. Innkeeper wanted to throw me out, but the nice lady said to leave me alone. They were all very nice, but the baby was the sweetest. I can tell. THAT baby- is going to grow up and NEVER pull my ears, or my whiskers- or my tail. It’s the nicest baby I’ve ever seen! Oh, the baby’s name is Jesus, by the way. And, I would have stayed there a LOT longer.
HEN:
So why didn’t you?
CAT:
Well, all these visitors came. It got very crowded. Again.
COW 3:
(to COW 1)
Hey, you have something in common with the cat... you both have claustrophobia.
COW 1:
Sh!
COW 3:
See! You’re even starting to SOUND like the cat.
COW 1:
Sh!
COW 3"
There you go again!
COW 1:
Alright!
(to Cat)
Please, go on cat.
CAT:
Well, these very important looking men, from some very strange country, came to give Jesus some very nice presents, and came to worship Jesus. They said- they came to worship– the KING.
COW 1:
The KING? I thought the king was in Jerusalem?
OWL:
There IS a king in Jerusalem.
CAMEL:
Not THAT king.
DOG:
What? Did the camel-thing say something?
CAMEL:
I said, NOT - THAT - KING.
COW 1:
Why do you suddenly feel like talking now?
PIG:
Maybe he feels like an outsider – like me.
HEN:
Or he’s stuck up– like the cat.
CAT:
Heeey! I mean, actually, I kind of was. But back to this camel. I did not have your tongue.
CAMEL:
I did not know if I could trust you. When my masters saw this strange new star, that is now shining down on us so brightly, they knew it would lead to someone very important. So we traveled a great distance, from the Far East. On our way, we stopped in at Jerusalem and saw the king who is there.
OWL:
You mean, King Herod?
CAMEL:
Indeed. King Herod.
(All Animals wait intently while Camel chews and spits.)
CAMEL:
My masters asked King Herod if he had heard about the birth of this very important King of kings. King Herod had NOT heard– and pretended to be very nice. He said he was very interested in finding this baby in order to worship Him as well. So he wants us to go BACK to Jerusalem and let him know where to find this King of kings.
(suddenly looks to stage right)
Oh! It looks like we’re getting ready to leave.
COW 1:
Are you going to go back to tell King Herod?
(Camel starts toward stage right and stops short, almost spitting.)
CAMEL:
No- definitely not! King Herod wants to KILL Jesus, Jesus the King of kings.
DOG:
Kill the baby?
CAT:
They cannot kill the baby! They cannot kill Jesus!
CAMEL:
I am very happy I could trust you after all. But, be careful. Beware. There could be enemies lurking anywhere.
(Camel slowly exits stage right)
COW 3:
Wow! So this baby isn’t just any baby.
COW 1:
This baby Jesus is the KING of kings.
OWL:
Yes-yes, I remember in the book of Zechariah- it says, “Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your KING is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey.”
HEN:
Hey – that’s YOU!
(Startled, Donkey jumps to attention.)
DOG:
You’ve been awfully quiet.
DONKEY:
I-I didn’t know I was carrying such precious cargo. Now it’s okay that the lady was a little extra heavy. And there I was whining and complaining about how far we had to go.
SHEEP 2:
Dude, sounds like you did something awesomely important.
CAT:
Who would have thought God would use a donkey!
DONKEY:
Oh, my master is calling me. I guess we’re leaving, also.
CAT:
You’re taking Jesus away? No. Why???
(Donkey shrugs and leaves. Cat turns to everyone.)
CAT:
I’ll be back. I want to say goodbye.
SHEEP 1:
Maybe we’ll be going soon, too. Our shepherds were so awesomely excited to visit with the baby King.
SHEEP 2:
For sure! They keep coming back, again and again. And they’ve been so busy telling everyone about Jesus.
SHEEP 3:
Whoa, it just struck me, God sent angels to- the shepherd-dudes.
COW 3:
Yeah, so?
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, so? I LOVE our shepherds.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, well, but not everybody does. Shepherds are outcasts. So-not-cool, people make fun of them and talk mean to them. But God shared His awesome news with the shepherds, and is now using them to spread the awesome news about Jesus. Just like God is using a donkey.
PIG:
Maybe God could use a pig.
(Animals stop to look at the pig and think.)
HEN:
Maaaybeeee.
PIG:
I- I mean- I’m just saying.
HEN:
No-no–no- I’m just thinking– after hearing all of this, it seems like almost ANYTHING is possible. I mean, take Cat, for instance. Since seeing Jesus, Cat is acting a little differently. Like, nicer. Humble, even.
COW 1:
Yeah, now that you say it.
COW 3:
Well then, my question is, if shepherds are social outcasts, why would God call Himself a Shepherd?
SHEEP 2:
Oh, if you knew our shepherds, you would KNOW. Dude, they take such awesome care of us.
(Dog continues agreeing with Sheep with excited head-nods.)
OWL:
Yes! In fact, in one of the Psalms it says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters...”
SHEEP 1:
That’s exactly what our shepherds do.
OWL:
“...He restores my soul, He guides me in the paths of righteousness. For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me...”
SHEEP 3:
Mind blowing. This Jesus sounds like a VERY EXTRA awesome Shepherd.
OWL:
“Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou has anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely– goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
COW 1:
In a HOUSE? Forever living in God’s house?
SHEEP 3:
Whoa, obviously, He’s not just ANY Shepherd.
(Cat comes in from stage right with great purpose.)
CAT:
I’m back. And, well, it appears that an angel warned them to leave the country for a while. Donkey said that he is going to make very sure to take care of th -
(Horse steps out from stage left, big and aggressive-like. Cat notices and stops.)
HORSE:
What are you peons talking about?
SHEEP 2:
DONKEY IS –
CAT:
Sh!
(Dog quickly puts a paw over Sheep 2’s mouth and barks.)
HORSE:
Be quiet, you mutt. What about this donkey?
SHEEP 3:
Ahhhhh –
(Sheep quickly look over to the Cows, who stand still and look around using just their eyes. All Animals are scared and suspicious.)
CAT:
Well, we just said goodbye to our friend, the donkey.
HORSE:
(flapping lips together)
Phrprprpr! Donkeys! Donkeys are such a joke. Always pretending to be horses.
PIG:
Oh, and what? You’re some hotshot? You’re just a wise-guy.
CAT:
Shh!
HORSE:
I am one of the king’s war horses.
HEN:
The king, eh?
CAT:
Shhhh!
HORSE:
Yes, King Herod. Kings like to use horses to show their power.
PIG:
What would they use for peace, then?
HORSE:
Ahhh, a donkey.
(suddenly laughs, then suddenly stops)
But we are not LOOKING for any DONKEYS right now! We are looking for all baby boys under the age of two.
COW 1:
Oooo? Whatever for?
HORSE:
There’s one particular child– that we want to– worship.
SHEEP 2:
Oh, so you’re here to see-
(Pig grunts and snorts in order to distract Horse and cover up whatever Sheep 2 might say.)
SHEEP 2:
So, you’re here –
(Pig grunts and snorts and shakes his head.)
HORSE:
And what is YOUR problem?
PIG:
Nothing. Just, something in the air.
DOG:
(also coughs)
Quite right. There’s nothing here– except something in the air.
(All Animals join in coughing.)
HORSE:
All you animals are nuts.
(Horse charges up and stares deep into Sheep 2’s eyes.)
HORSE:
Just exactly WHAT- are you all hiding?
SHEEP 2:
(blurting out)
Donkey brought the King here to live in that stable there.
(All Animals groan. Horse stares at Sheep 2 for a moment then bursts out laughing, but is finally able to talk.)
HORSE:
All righty, then. That was good for a laugh. Ha ha, that’s great. That was just great. Well, if you animals can’t make any sense, I’m out of here. I’ve got important work to do. We’ve got to kill this baby who could someday threaten to take the throne away from our REAL king.
(laughing, shaking head while walking offstage)
Ahh, I really needed a good laugh.
(Cat waits until Horse is gone before running up to Sheep and glaring at them.)
CAT:
Well THAT was close. TOO close. We cannot do anything that will get Jesus killed.
OWL:
I’m afraid no one can stop that from happening.
(Cat stops short, swinging around to stare at Owl.)
CAT:
What? No. He cannot die.
OWL:
Jesus HAS to die.
(Cat paces as it frets.)
CAT:
No! No! No! I realize, I am nothing CLOSE to being a god that anyone can worship. I AM NOTHING. JESUS is GOD.
OWL:
And Jesus has come for a purpose. To die.
CAT:
NOOO!
(Dog moans in a howl-like voice to echo the Cat.)
OWL:
It’s been written. There are prophecies.
CAT:
I don’t get it. Hey. We can band together and CHANGE THAT.
OWL:
Listen, cat, I know you want Jesus to live. We all do. But He first has to die. Whoooo, I always seem to communicate best when I quote scripture.
DOG:
Yes, we want to know what the scriptures say.
OWL:
Okay, you know how animals... for example, sheep- are used for sacrifices.
(Sheep all cringe and huddle, shaking with fear.)
SHEEP 2:
Yeah. Dude. I mean, it’s an honorable way to die, but it’s-
SHEEP 3:
Scary!
COW 1:
Bulls are used as well.
PIG:
What are you all talking about?
SHEEP 1:
Oh, yeah, Pig here wouldn’t have any clue about this.
OWL:
It’s like this. BECAUSE there is sin, there has to be DEATH. Blood must be shed in order to cover sin. So, as a symbol, so that people could understand this law, God put in place the sacrificial system, which is only temporary. Therefore, up until now, people had to make constant and continuous sacrifices.
PIG:
I– have a new respect for you sheep. And for the others.
SHEEP 1:
Are– are WE going to be sacrificed? What are you saying? What do you know?
OWL:
Not you. Jesus Christ. Isaiah talks about the Christ being the Lamb of God.
SHEEP 1:
Hold up! I thought you said He was the Shepherd? And the people were like sheep?
OWL:
Yes– to both. You see, God likes to use lots of examples that we can relate to, so we can better understand what He’s trying to tell us.
SHEEP 3:
What is He trying to tell us with this one?
OWL:
In Isaiah it says, “All of us like sheep have gone astray-”
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, we do-we do - We do that a lot.
SHEEP 1:
Yeah, what is our problem, anyway?
OWL:
Well, “each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the sins of us ALL to fall on Him.”
DOG:
Let me get this straight, everyone has sinned. And Jesus- when He grows up– is– going to die– for all sins?
(Animals fall silent. Cat sniffs and wipes her tears away.)
PIG:
So Jesus, the Shepherd, has become a sheep, and is going to die in the place of all sheep?
OWL:
Yes. The book of Isaiah goes on to say, “Surely our griefs– He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.”
COW 1:
We don’t think that.
OWL:
This is what WILL happen. Isaiah continues with “But He was PIERCED THROUGH for our transgressions, He was CRUSHED for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him. And by His scourging we are healed.”
SHEEP 3:
Just so people don’t have to continue sacrificing animals, like us sheep- Jesus is going to be the perfect sacrifice?
OWL:
Yes, one final and perfect sacrifice. Then people just have to believe in their hearts. They just have to accept Jesus- dying for THEM, in their place, so their sins can be forgiven once- and for all.
CAT:
But – Jesus will be no more.
OWL:
Ah! There is even better news. In Psalms it says, “For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.” And the book of Micah tells us, “the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion”. This will happen AFTER His death, and there will be peace.
PIG:
Okay, I want to know– just- what do you mean by– peace?
OWL:
Oh, there are many scriptures on that. Like in Malachi, “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”
COW 1:
Oh, I remember those days.
COW 3:
Indeed. THAT will be so nice.
OWL:
And in Isaiah, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles...”
COWS:
Ooooo.
PIG:
I’ve always wanted to be an eagle.
SHEEP 1:
But like, dude, that’ll be the day when pigs fly –
PIG:
A pig can dream. I– would like to fly. Just to be able to soar through the air.
HEN:
Me too.
PIG:
At least you have wings.
HEN:
Have you ever SEEN a chicken fly? It’s far from soaring, let me tell you. It’s just enough to get us up off the ground away from the fox’s mouth. It’s like...
(Hen frantically flaps and drops, flaps and drops.)
HEN:
(adding after)
It’s pathetic.
(Sheep all try to be very supportive.)
SHEEP:
Nooo, that was cool. Way cool. Yeah, dude.
DOG:
(to Owl) :
Okay, what else?
OWL:
Ah, where were we?
PIG:
Peace. What will peace look like?
OWL:
Yes. Isaiah talks about how the WOLF will live with the LAMB and they will eat together, the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the lion will eat straw like the ox, and the children will play with the calf and the lion –
PIG:
You mean, all of us animals will get along? So there will be peace for everyone. Even me.
(Cat wipes away a tear. Dog notices.)
DOG:
What’s wrong now?
CAT:
Nothing. These are- tears of joy. I am– I truly am- a changed cat.
DOG:
I believe. I feel like a new dog, myself.
(getting an idea)
Now, let’s have some fun, just so people don’t get the wrong idea.
CAT:
What are you talking about?
DOG:
I chase you– you ru – all the way up that tree way over there... One-two-three–go!
(Dog barks and Cat scatters offstage with Dog following. Animals laugh.)
HEN:
This I’ve got to see.
COW 2:
Me too.
(Agreeing, all Animals follow and exit. Pig isn’t sure, until Cow 1 motions with her neck for Pig to follow.)
COW 1:
Pig! You, too. I mean, only if you want.
(Pig scampers joyfully after.)
(to COW 1)
Hey, you have something in common with the cat... you both have claustrophobia.
COW 1:
Sh!
COW 3:
See! You’re even starting to SOUND like the cat.
COW 1:
Sh!
COW 3"
There you go again!
COW 1:
Alright!
(to Cat)
Please, go on cat.
CAT:
Well, these very important looking men, from some very strange country, came to give Jesus some very nice presents, and came to worship Jesus. They said- they came to worship– the KING.
COW 1:
The KING? I thought the king was in Jerusalem?
OWL:
There IS a king in Jerusalem.
CAMEL:
Not THAT king.
DOG:
What? Did the camel-thing say something?
CAMEL:
I said, NOT - THAT - KING.
COW 1:
Why do you suddenly feel like talking now?
PIG:
Maybe he feels like an outsider – like me.
HEN:
Or he’s stuck up– like the cat.
CAT:
Heeey! I mean, actually, I kind of was. But back to this camel. I did not have your tongue.
CAMEL:
I did not know if I could trust you. When my masters saw this strange new star, that is now shining down on us so brightly, they knew it would lead to someone very important. So we traveled a great distance, from the Far East. On our way, we stopped in at Jerusalem and saw the king who is there.
OWL:
You mean, King Herod?
CAMEL:
Indeed. King Herod.
(All Animals wait intently while Camel chews and spits.)
CAMEL:
My masters asked King Herod if he had heard about the birth of this very important King of kings. King Herod had NOT heard– and pretended to be very nice. He said he was very interested in finding this baby in order to worship Him as well. So he wants us to go BACK to Jerusalem and let him know where to find this King of kings.
(suddenly looks to stage right)
Oh! It looks like we’re getting ready to leave.
COW 1:
Are you going to go back to tell King Herod?
(Camel starts toward stage right and stops short, almost spitting.)
CAMEL:
No- definitely not! King Herod wants to KILL Jesus, Jesus the King of kings.
DOG:
Kill the baby?
CAT:
They cannot kill the baby! They cannot kill Jesus!
CAMEL:
I am very happy I could trust you after all. But, be careful. Beware. There could be enemies lurking anywhere.
(Camel slowly exits stage right)
COW 3:
Wow! So this baby isn’t just any baby.
COW 1:
This baby Jesus is the KING of kings.
OWL:
Yes-yes, I remember in the book of Zechariah- it says, “Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your KING is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey.”
HEN:
Hey – that’s YOU!
(Startled, Donkey jumps to attention.)
DOG:
You’ve been awfully quiet.
DONKEY:
I-I didn’t know I was carrying such precious cargo. Now it’s okay that the lady was a little extra heavy. And there I was whining and complaining about how far we had to go.
SHEEP 2:
Dude, sounds like you did something awesomely important.
CAT:
Who would have thought God would use a donkey!
DONKEY:
Oh, my master is calling me. I guess we’re leaving, also.
CAT:
You’re taking Jesus away? No. Why???
(Donkey shrugs and leaves. Cat turns to everyone.)
CAT:
I’ll be back. I want to say goodbye.
SHEEP 1:
Maybe we’ll be going soon, too. Our shepherds were so awesomely excited to visit with the baby King.
SHEEP 2:
For sure! They keep coming back, again and again. And they’ve been so busy telling everyone about Jesus.
SHEEP 3:
Whoa, it just struck me, God sent angels to- the shepherd-dudes.
COW 3:
Yeah, so?
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, so? I LOVE our shepherds.
SHEEP 3:
Yeah, well, but not everybody does. Shepherds are outcasts. So-not-cool, people make fun of them and talk mean to them. But God shared His awesome news with the shepherds, and is now using them to spread the awesome news about Jesus. Just like God is using a donkey.
PIG:
Maybe God could use a pig.
(Animals stop to look at the pig and think.)
HEN:
Maaaybeeee.
PIG:
I- I mean- I’m just saying.
HEN:
No-no–no- I’m just thinking– after hearing all of this, it seems like almost ANYTHING is possible. I mean, take Cat, for instance. Since seeing Jesus, Cat is acting a little differently. Like, nicer. Humble, even.
COW 1:
Yeah, now that you say it.
COW 3:
Well then, my question is, if shepherds are social outcasts, why would God call Himself a Shepherd?
SHEEP 2:
Oh, if you knew our shepherds, you would KNOW. Dude, they take such awesome care of us.
(Dog continues agreeing with Sheep with excited head-nods.)
OWL:
Yes! In fact, in one of the Psalms it says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters...”
SHEEP 1:
That’s exactly what our shepherds do.
OWL:
“...He restores my soul, He guides me in the paths of righteousness. For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me...”
SHEEP 3:
Mind blowing. This Jesus sounds like a VERY EXTRA awesome Shepherd.
OWL:
“Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou has anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely– goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
COW 1:
In a HOUSE? Forever living in God’s house?
SHEEP 3:
Whoa, obviously, He’s not just ANY Shepherd.
(Cat comes in from stage right with great purpose.)
CAT:
I’m back. And, well, it appears that an angel warned them to leave the country for a while. Donkey said that he is going to make very sure to take care of th -
(Horse steps out from stage left, big and aggressive-like. Cat notices and stops.)
HORSE:
What are you peons talking about?
SHEEP 2:
DONKEY IS –
CAT:
Sh!
(Dog quickly puts a paw over Sheep 2’s mouth and barks.)
HORSE:
Be quiet, you mutt. What about this donkey?
SHEEP 3:
Ahhhhh –
(Sheep quickly look over to the Cows, who stand still and look around using just their eyes. All Animals are scared and suspicious.)
CAT:
Well, we just said goodbye to our friend, the donkey.
HORSE:
(flapping lips together)
Phrprprpr! Donkeys! Donkeys are such a joke. Always pretending to be horses.
PIG:
Oh, and what? You’re some hotshot? You’re just a wise-guy.
CAT:
Shh!
HORSE:
I am one of the king’s war horses.
HEN:
The king, eh?
CAT:
Shhhh!
HORSE:
Yes, King Herod. Kings like to use horses to show their power.
PIG:
What would they use for peace, then?
HORSE:
Ahhh, a donkey.
(suddenly laughs, then suddenly stops)
But we are not LOOKING for any DONKEYS right now! We are looking for all baby boys under the age of two.
COW 1:
Oooo? Whatever for?
HORSE:
There’s one particular child– that we want to– worship.
SHEEP 2:
Oh, so you’re here to see-
(Pig grunts and snorts in order to distract Horse and cover up whatever Sheep 2 might say.)
SHEEP 2:
So, you’re here –
(Pig grunts and snorts and shakes his head.)
HORSE:
And what is YOUR problem?
PIG:
Nothing. Just, something in the air.
DOG:
(also coughs)
Quite right. There’s nothing here– except something in the air.
(All Animals join in coughing.)
HORSE:
All you animals are nuts.
(Horse charges up and stares deep into Sheep 2’s eyes.)
HORSE:
Just exactly WHAT- are you all hiding?
SHEEP 2:
(blurting out)
Donkey brought the King here to live in that stable there.
(All Animals groan. Horse stares at Sheep 2 for a moment then bursts out laughing, but is finally able to talk.)
HORSE:
All righty, then. That was good for a laugh. Ha ha, that’s great. That was just great. Well, if you animals can’t make any sense, I’m out of here. I’ve got important work to do. We’ve got to kill this baby who could someday threaten to take the throne away from our REAL king.
(laughing, shaking head while walking offstage)
Ahh, I really needed a good laugh.
(Cat waits until Horse is gone before running up to Sheep and glaring at them.)
CAT:
Well THAT was close. TOO close. We cannot do anything that will get Jesus killed.
OWL:
I’m afraid no one can stop that from happening.
(Cat stops short, swinging around to stare at Owl.)
CAT:
What? No. He cannot die.
OWL:
Jesus HAS to die.
(Cat paces as it frets.)
CAT:
No! No! No! I realize, I am nothing CLOSE to being a god that anyone can worship. I AM NOTHING. JESUS is GOD.
OWL:
And Jesus has come for a purpose. To die.
CAT:
NOOO!
(Dog moans in a howl-like voice to echo the Cat.)
OWL:
It’s been written. There are prophecies.
CAT:
I don’t get it. Hey. We can band together and CHANGE THAT.
OWL:
Listen, cat, I know you want Jesus to live. We all do. But He first has to die. Whoooo, I always seem to communicate best when I quote scripture.
DOG:
Yes, we want to know what the scriptures say.
OWL:
Okay, you know how animals... for example, sheep- are used for sacrifices.
(Sheep all cringe and huddle, shaking with fear.)
SHEEP 2:
Yeah. Dude. I mean, it’s an honorable way to die, but it’s-
SHEEP 3:
Scary!
COW 1:
Bulls are used as well.
PIG:
What are you all talking about?
SHEEP 1:
Oh, yeah, Pig here wouldn’t have any clue about this.
OWL:
It’s like this. BECAUSE there is sin, there has to be DEATH. Blood must be shed in order to cover sin. So, as a symbol, so that people could understand this law, God put in place the sacrificial system, which is only temporary. Therefore, up until now, people had to make constant and continuous sacrifices.
PIG:
I– have a new respect for you sheep. And for the others.
SHEEP 1:
Are– are WE going to be sacrificed? What are you saying? What do you know?
OWL:
Not you. Jesus Christ. Isaiah talks about the Christ being the Lamb of God.
SHEEP 1:
Hold up! I thought you said He was the Shepherd? And the people were like sheep?
OWL:
Yes– to both. You see, God likes to use lots of examples that we can relate to, so we can better understand what He’s trying to tell us.
SHEEP 3:
What is He trying to tell us with this one?
OWL:
In Isaiah it says, “All of us like sheep have gone astray-”
SHEEP 2:
Yeah, we do-we do - We do that a lot.
SHEEP 1:
Yeah, what is our problem, anyway?
OWL:
Well, “each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the sins of us ALL to fall on Him.”
DOG:
Let me get this straight, everyone has sinned. And Jesus- when He grows up– is– going to die– for all sins?
(Animals fall silent. Cat sniffs and wipes her tears away.)
PIG:
So Jesus, the Shepherd, has become a sheep, and is going to die in the place of all sheep?
OWL:
Yes. The book of Isaiah goes on to say, “Surely our griefs– He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.”
COW 1:
We don’t think that.
OWL:
This is what WILL happen. Isaiah continues with “But He was PIERCED THROUGH for our transgressions, He was CRUSHED for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him. And by His scourging we are healed.”
SHEEP 3:
Just so people don’t have to continue sacrificing animals, like us sheep- Jesus is going to be the perfect sacrifice?
OWL:
Yes, one final and perfect sacrifice. Then people just have to believe in their hearts. They just have to accept Jesus- dying for THEM, in their place, so their sins can be forgiven once- and for all.
CAT:
But – Jesus will be no more.
OWL:
Ah! There is even better news. In Psalms it says, “For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.” And the book of Micah tells us, “the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion”. This will happen AFTER His death, and there will be peace.
PIG:
Okay, I want to know– just- what do you mean by– peace?
OWL:
Oh, there are many scriptures on that. Like in Malachi, “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”
COW 1:
Oh, I remember those days.
COW 3:
Indeed. THAT will be so nice.
OWL:
And in Isaiah, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles...”
COWS:
Ooooo.
PIG:
I’ve always wanted to be an eagle.
SHEEP 1:
But like, dude, that’ll be the day when pigs fly –
PIG:
A pig can dream. I– would like to fly. Just to be able to soar through the air.
HEN:
Me too.
PIG:
At least you have wings.
HEN:
Have you ever SEEN a chicken fly? It’s far from soaring, let me tell you. It’s just enough to get us up off the ground away from the fox’s mouth. It’s like...
(Hen frantically flaps and drops, flaps and drops.)
HEN:
(adding after)
It’s pathetic.
(Sheep all try to be very supportive.)
SHEEP:
Nooo, that was cool. Way cool. Yeah, dude.
DOG:
(to Owl) :
Okay, what else?
OWL:
Ah, where were we?
PIG:
Peace. What will peace look like?
OWL:
Yes. Isaiah talks about how the WOLF will live with the LAMB and they will eat together, the leopard will lie down with the young goat, the lion will eat straw like the ox, and the children will play with the calf and the lion –
PIG:
You mean, all of us animals will get along? So there will be peace for everyone. Even me.
(Cat wipes away a tear. Dog notices.)
DOG:
What’s wrong now?
CAT:
Nothing. These are- tears of joy. I am– I truly am- a changed cat.
DOG:
I believe. I feel like a new dog, myself.
(getting an idea)
Now, let’s have some fun, just so people don’t get the wrong idea.
CAT:
What are you talking about?
DOG:
I chase you– you ru – all the way up that tree way over there... One-two-three–go!
(Dog barks and Cat scatters offstage with Dog following. Animals laugh.)
HEN:
This I’ve got to see.
COW 2:
Me too.
(Agreeing, all Animals follow and exit. Pig isn’t sure, until Cow 1 motions with her neck for Pig to follow.)
COW 1:
Pig! You, too. I mean, only if you want.
(Pig scampers joyfully after.)
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