Advent Pageant: The Hope of a Changing World
An original pageant inspired by Luke 1:39-55
[No audio recording today, but you can see the video of the pageant at this link, starting at minute 11:10. Image by Tep Ro from Pixabay.
Opening Scene: Elizabeth & Zechariah’s house
Elizabeth [rubbing her clearly pregnant belly]: There, there, little one. What has you so excited today? It’s like you are dancing the hora around my organs!”
[Mary knocks on the door]
Elizabeth: Woah! And now you are practicing for the high jump, are you?! [louder] Come in!
Mary [Entering]: Cousin Elizabeth! I have come to visit you.
Elizabeth: [opening her arms for a hug] Oh, bless you Mary!
[they hug]
Elizabeth: In fact, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? [puts hands on belly] For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. [indicating toward Mary] And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.
Mary: Oh Elizabeth! I’m so glad you already know about my news. I have to admit, it’s all been a bit overwhelming. First there was the angel telling me what God wanted to do, and it was so confusing and completely terrifying, but, somehow, I found the courage to say “yes.” And then I had to tell Joseph… that was pretty uncomfortable. At first, I was sure he didn’t believe me about the baby being God’s son, and I thought was going to end our engagement, but, apparently, the angel took care of that so we’re good now.
Elizabeth: Thank Gabriel for that! I’m glad he was so helpful for you! I don’t know if Zechariah would describe him in quite that way. Not that he’s describing anything right now…
[Mary looks curious, but Elizabeth waves it away]
Elizabeth: But what I really want to know is how YOU are doing?
Mary: Honestly… I can’t quite believe I’m saying this given… everything. But, actually I’m amazing! My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
Elizabeth: I understand what you mean. It’s maybe not the reaction that most people would expect from a young woman in your situation. But I believe that you have seen a truth that goes deeper than the surface situation. In fact, I think you are describing a truth that will prove itself over, and over, and over again.
Mary: What do you mean?
Elizabeth: Well…
Modern Magnificat Scene 1: A hotel conference room, where a reality TV show is being filmed.
Showrunner [with headset and clipboard, speaking to Bob seated in one seat across from an empty one.]: OK, so remember: the best television content is heavy on the drama, so we need you to really go for the fireworks. Put the fear of God into one or two of the folks who said some things they wouldn’t have said if they knew they were talking to the owner of the company. Don’t fire anyone, though, the audience doesn’t like that.
What the people do really love is a Cinderella story, so we need you to pick one stand-out employee, one of the low-wage folks, not management, to celebrate with some over-the-top reward. An all-expense-paid trip for their family to a Disney resort always goes over well. Really milk the sentimentality. And, if possible, it helps if it’s like, a single-mom or something. That gets the sympathy feels from our audience.
Bob: Umm, I was thinking…
Showrunner: [raises hand to silence him as other hand goes to ear, as though listening to someone through the headset]. Right… Right… OK…
[turning back toward Bob] The first employee is being brought in. This is Anabel, housekeeping staff…
[turning and speaking to an imaginary camera] Filming: Boss Incognito: Final Reveal Episode. Take 1 [steps into the corner as Anabel cautiously enters, looking confused and anxious.]
Anabel: Bob? What is all this? Why are you wearing a suit? I’m so confused. I was just clocking in and this really fast-talking person with a headset told me I was needed in the conference room before my shift started…What is going on?
Bob: Please, have a seat, Anabel.
[Anabel sits. Showrunner stands behind her and makes motions to Bob, prompting his monologue.]
Bob: You met me as Bob, a trainee shift-worker in the hotel, but my full name is Robert Billington, III. My Grandfather, Robert Billington, Sr. was the founder of very first Cozy Stay Hotel, and I am now the President and CEO of the whole family of Cozy Stay Brand of companies…
[Showrunner makes jazz hands; Anabel gasps and covers her mouth with her hands, looking scared.]
Bob: The people with headsets are from Boss: Incognito. I’ve been working in disguise while they filmed with hidden cameras. I wanted to see what was really going on in my company.
Anabel: Oh bleep! Please don’t fire me. I really, really need this job.
[Showrunner mimes laughing. This is good drama! Bob looks concerned]
Bob: Anabel…
Anabel: YOU KNOW I need this job. You’ve seen pictures of my kids. You know their dad’s out of the picture. I don’t have any savings. Every cent I earn here goes to rent, and utilities, and child care, and trying to keep my junker of a car together…
[Showrunner starts to look distressed that this is getting too angsty]
Bob: Yes, I know…
Anabel: …And with the tip-sharing policy that came down last summer, I can’t even count on my sunny-hospitality-personality impressing the odd guest every once in a while into a generous gesture, because it all gets shared out.
[Showrunner is making it “shut this down” motions to Bob, but Bob isn’t looking.]
Bob: [looking uncomfortable] Right, you had mentioned…
Anabel: …And I know I said some things I really shouldn’t have. About the hours… and the wages… and the healthcare… But, honestly. I make it work. I’d rather have the high deductible than no insurance at all. I remember before I started this job, Matty had a really high fever once as a baby and I had to take him to the ER, and… that’s just not something I ever want to deal with again. It took me years to pay that bill. Just… please… please don’t fire me!
Bob: Anabel, I’m not going to fire you.
Anabel: Oh, thank God!
[Showrunner, waves arms in a “finally” gesture. Then prompts him to go on.]
Bob: Quite the opposite, actually. I’ve been really impressed by you the last few weeks. I see how incredibly hard you work…
[Showrunner gives a thumbs up]
Bob: How hard all of the staff work, actually. I never realized before how… backbreaking the labor is. I mean, I make my own bed at home so I thought I knew, but making 100 beds in a couple of hours. Yeah, I never really thought about what that means for a person’s lumbar spine. [puts his hand to his lower back]
Anabel: You’re telling me!
[Showrunner looking concerned again, worried Bob is losing the plot.]
Bob: What I’m trying to say is… [Showrunner looks hopeful.] I want to make some changes around here. I haven’t been valuing the work of my frontline staff like I should. You helped me to see that Anabel…
[Showrunner waves hands in a “go on” gesture, and when Bob finally looks at them irritated at all the gesticulating, whisper-shouts “Disney!” He shakes his head and turns back to Anabel.]
Bob: Look, I know the expected narrative is for me to pick someone to reward with some big, extravagant gift, and I’m not saying you don’t deserve that Anabel…
[Showrunner is nodding frantically; Anabel is looking unimpressed.]
Bob: But what I’d really like to do is use that money to make some changes that will have a more lasting impact. Do you think you could help me identify the policy and benefit updates that are needed for all of our staff to thrive.
[Showrunner puts head in hands]
Anabel: [skeptically] Are you serious about that? You know fixing the espresso machine in the break room won’t be enough, right?
Bob: I know. It’s all the things you “shouldn’t” have said to me that matter: the wages, hours, health care…
Showrunner: Cut! Cut! This is a disaster. We are going to have to shoot this whole thing again. Mr. Billington! This is NOT what we talked about. Benefit negotiations do not make for sexy television. I need drama for the show to work!
Bob: I know. But I need my employees – ALL of them – to know that I see their value. [to Anabel] Can you help me?
Anabel: Absolutely!
Modern Magnificat Scene 2: A living room, where a Nana and her grandchild are decorating a Christmas Tree
[Nana is taking ornaments out of a box and handing them to her grandson up on a step ladder to hang]
Nana: Oh good, you can get the higher up branches. I can’t quite reach those, even on the ladder.
Grandson: Yep. Just hand me the ornaments that you want me to put up here.
Nana: Thank you. That’s so helpful.
Grandson: No problem.
Nana: Oh, now this ornament brings back memories. I want this one down where I can see it. Come down. I want to show you.
[Grandson steps off the ladder and comes over to see the ornament she is holding.]
Grandson: It looks like a Madonna and Child.
Nana: Mhhm.
Grandson: I always feel bad for Joseph that he gets left out just because he’s not the biological father. He was still the one that raised Jesus after all. It’s love that makes a family.
Nana: Well, I agree with you about family, and celebrating all shapes and sizes of families, but Joseph being left out is kind of the point of my story, actually.
Grandson: Oh?
Nana: Yes, I received this ornament of Mary and Jesus, as a gift when your Daddy was just a little boy.
Grandson: So, it’s pretty old then? [teasingly]
Nana: Yes, you would think so at least. [good naturedly]
Grandson: Sorry. Tell me the story. Who gave it to you?
Nana: It was a gift from an older woman in our church, who would always sit in the pew behind us. Your daddy always liked to sit right up front so that he could see everything, and he used to cuddle up next to me so we could share a hymnal.
Grandson: That’s cute.
Nana: It was very sweet. You know, I was single at the time, so I didn’t have a lot of time to just sit and cuddle with him, between work, and cooking, and laundry, and taking care of the house, and carting him to soccer practice…. I was run off my feet most days. But Sunday mornings we could sit together in church and share that one hour of peace and joy together.
Grandson: That sounds like really special time.
Nana: Oh, it was. And I guess the woman who sat behind us noticed, because one Christmas after service, she stopped us as we were going out and handed me a little gift bag with this ornament inside. She told me that the mother and child reminded her of me and your daddy.
Grandson: Awww.
Nana: But it was what she said next that meant so much to me. She said she knew it must feel lonely sometimes, to be raising him on my own, so she thought it might help me to remember that Mary might have felt lonely sometimes too.
Grandson: But… Joseph…
Nana: Yes, she had a partner, but she was the only one who ever carried God’s child. There was no one in the world who could share that experience with her. It can be very lonely to feel like no one else understands.
Grandson: That’s true. But on the other hand, she is probably the most well-known woman in the world.
Nana: Exactly! She might have felt lonely in some moments, but when she sang her song of praise, she said that “all generations would call her blessed.” And we do! Especially all the mothers who look to her for strength when things are hard.
Grandson: Oh, I see. So, the woman in your church was encouraging you to look at things from more than one perspective. Sometimes it’s the things that make us feel alone that actually connect us to others.
Nana: That’s a really good way of putting it.
Grandson: I think it’s true. One of the reasons that my faith matters to me is because I know I am loved for who I am, in all of my uniqueness. I don’t have to change or play a role. I am who God made me to be, even though that makes me different. And you, and Dad, have taught me that’s what God’s love looks like.
Nana: That makes me so happy. [They hug]
Modern Magnificat Scene 3: Meeting of a church education-planning team
M1: [walking up, where M2 is waiting] Oh, thank goodness you are here early. I just got news that is going to blow up our plans for the guest speaker on Sunday and I don’t know what to do.
M2: Oh no! What happened.
M1: Well, you know I had arranged the presentation after my friend had heard him speak at her church and just raved about him.
M2: Right, you said he’s a retired athlete who has started a charity program. Sports clinics in urban areas, or something like that?
M1: Yes. She said the men in the congregation really responded to his energy and his pro-sports-stories, and they got a lot more engaged than is usual when the church has charities come to present.
M2: Hm. That sounds a little bit like gender stereotyping, but… ok.
M1: Well, it wasn’t just the men who were interested. Everyone was so impressed. Apparently, he’s super charismatic and the presentation was super polished, high production value and whatnot. Her church raised thousands of dollars for the program when he came. I mean… it’s a much bigger congregation, but it was still really impressive.
M2: Ok. So, what’s the problem then? It sounds like it will be a really engaging topic for the Sunday forum, and a chance to connect to a new ministry, maybe, that’s doing a lot of good?
M1: Well, that’s the problem. Apparently, there’s some questions about the integrity of the non-profit organization that runs the program. There’s was a big expose in the paper this morning.
M2: What kinds of questions?
M1: Questions about how much of the money raised is actually going to help the kids. Apparently, the sports guy is a real diva behind the scenes, demanding a fancy car lease and lots of perks because “he’s the one who brings in all the money.”
M2: Eww.
M1: Yeah. There’s a whistleblower in the nonprofit who apparently recorded him going on a rant about how no one actually cares about the kids or the mission, and it’s his star power that gets attention, so no one has a right to question him. There are direct quotes in the paper.
M2: Yikes! We definitely don’t want to bring someone like that in!
M1: Exactly! That’s why I’m upset. We obviously need to cancel his visit, but that leaves us without a topic or speaker for Sunday’s forum. And we wanted to highlight a service program heading into the holiday season… encourage people to think about giving back, not just giving gifts.
M2: Well… it’s not like that’s the only program that does service in our area, you know. Why not ask our own members who serve at the soup kitchen to share about their experiences?
M1: Well, I mean… would people be interested in that? It’s not new or exciting. And none of our volunteers are practiced presenters.
M2: Maybe not, but it’s what they are doing that matters, not their charisma. That’s the whole problem with what we had planned, right? The guy was all about star power and ego. But what matters is the mission. Who cares if they don’t have a polished presentation… I think what is most inspiring is normal people like you and me just making a difference in their own small way. That’s worth my attention!
M1: I hadn’t thought of it that way. You’re right. Thanks! I was so worried about the last minute change, but I think this plan will actually be so much better!
Modern Magnificat Scene 4: A phone call to “Ye Ol’ Country Inn & Tavern”
Restaurant owner: [holding phone to ear] Hello. Thank you for calling Ye Ol’ Country Inn & Tavern. How can I assist you today.
Party planner: Hello yes, I am calling to schedule an event for a very distinguished client who wants to book out your entire facility for a family reunion.
RO: How lovely. What dates are they looking for so I can check our booking calendar?
PP: Oh, trust me. You don’t need to check the calendar. With what they are willing to pay, you’ll want to cancel any reservations you already have on the books. Apparently, they’ve been fantasizing about your “angelic” (their words) leg of lamb special since they came for a client dinner a few weeks ago and they have decided that they simple MUST have that as the main course for their big Christmas Eve dinner.”
RO: Christmas Eve… oh…
PP: Yes, I know it’s a busy season but trust me when I tell you: you want to take this reservation. They have already told me that money is no object. Name your price and it’s done.
RO: Well, that’s certainly generous but I’m afraid that Christmas Eve is just not possible.
PP: Look, I know it’s not the thing to make your staff work late on Christmas Eve… family holiday and all. But you can pay them double time. Triple even! I’m sure they’d all appreciate the extra cash at the holidays. Like I said, my client is very motivated to get this done so whatever extra expenses you need to work into the bill, it won’t be an issue.
RO: Oh, no. That’s not the problem. Our staff are here on Christmas Eve. It’s just that we already have an event.
PP: Well, cancel it! Believe me when I tell you: the PR and future bookings that this will bring in will MORE than make up for whatever sour grapes might be generated by the cancellation. I can even offer my services to make arrangements for an alternative for the other party. All at my client’s expense, of course.
RO: No, you don’t understand. It’s not another party that has reserved the restaurant. Christmas Eve is when we cook for the residents of the local homeless shelter.
PP: The… homeless shelter?
RO: Yes.
PP: But… surely the shelter cannot afford premium holiday prices?!
RO: Oh, no. We don’t charge them. It’s our gift to our neighbors.
PP: OK. That’s… lovely. But surely you could move your charity meal to another day, couldn’t you?
RO: Well, no, actually. You see, a lot of the guests in the shelter are low-wage workers. The Christmas season is one of the only times of the year when they can depend on getting over-time work because of the extended shopping hours at retail stores. And extra hours mean they can build up some savings to, maybe, put down security deposit and first month’s rent on a place to get out of the shelter. None of them can afford to take time off for a party, and it’s impossible to coordinate around all of their different work schedules. Plus, this way the shelter staff can all have Christmas with their families because the residents stay with us for the night. Ye Ol’ Country Inn & Tavern has been hosting the Christmas Eve dinner for years… it’s one of our most valued traditions.
PP: I mean… that’s a great thing you’re doing. And it really sells the old country welcome branding. But… you’re not REALLY going to turn down a blank check for a bunch of homeless people who will probably never come back as paying customers, are you?
RO: We don’t think of them as customers. We think of them as neighbors. And we want to share Christmas Eve with our neighbors. But thank you for calling.
Modern Magnificat Scene 5: A coffee shop on December 23rd
Rabbi: Pastor! Oh my goodness, I just heard about the fire at the church! Is everyone OK. [sits down]
Pastor: Rabbi! Hi. Yes. Thankfully the building was empty at the time, so no one was injured. That’s a huge thing to be thankful for.
Rabbi: Oh good. But still, I’m sure this is hugely stressful for you… especially right before Christmas!
Pastor: Well, yeah. It’s… a lot. I’m just here at the coffee shop using the wifi trying to get out e-mails and make plans….
Rabbi: Of course, of course. Is there anything I can do to help.
Pastor: I don’t know. Do you have any contacts at local event spaces that might be available, like, tomorrow? and willing to rent to us at low cost? The Council wants to still hold Christmas Eve services, and I agree. Our community needs a message of hope and comfort and a chance to join together… but so far, I am striking out. Everything that stays open for Christmas Eve is already booked. I guess maybe we can try to do something short in the parking lot… we can sing some carols a capella… light candles… if I can source those in the next [looks at watch] 29 hours…
Rabbi: Don’t be silly. Of course you can hold your services at the synagogue!
Pastor: What?
Rabbi: It shouldn’t surprise you to know that the Jewish synagogue doesn’t have a Christmas Eve service. Our building’s available, and of course we wouldn’t charge you.
Pastor: But… are you sure? Wouldn’t that make your congregation uncomfortable? Christmas Eve isn’t like the interfaith services where we keep all the divine references to “God” which covers both our faiths. Christmas Eve is, like, ALL about Jesus.
Rabbi: Yes. I’m familiar with the story. [laughing]
Pastor: OK, fair. I just mean. I wouldn’t want to be insensitive or disrespectful of your sacred space, but I know that this year of ALL years my people are going to need all the familiar Christmas carols, and the baby in the manger, and lighting candles to Silent Night. Wouldn’t that be… weird for you?
Rabbi: Let me put it this way. You studied the Torah in seminary, right?
Pastor: Of course.
Rabbi: So, you know the Abrahamic Covenant.
Pastor: Yes. It was God’s unconditional promise to Abraham to bless him and to bring from him a great nation.
Rabbi: Right. And that blessing wasn’t just for the benefit of Abraham and his family… [makes waving motion, as though asking Pastor to finish the thought.]
Pastor: Oh… blessed to be a blessing!
Rabbi: Exactly! God chose Abraham for blessing so that “all people of the earth would be blessed through him” (Genesis 12:3). It is at the very core of our identity as a people and as a faith that we are to share our blessing. Sharing our building with a local community in need seems like a pretty straight-forward way of living that out.
Pastor: That’s a beautiful sentiment and a very welcoming offer…
Rabbi: But?
Pastor: I guess, I’m just hesitant because… I know not all Jews feel safe around Christians these days, and that’s for good reason. There are people in our country who use the name and the symbols of Christianity to perpetrate hateful and antisemitic messages… and I would just hate for anyone in your congregation to feel anxious about a group of Christians holding a Christmas service in their synagogue. I know that no one in my congregation would say or do the hateful things I see on the news… but I also don’t want to be one of those “not all Christians” people.
Rabbi: I love that you care so much, and I trust you, which is why I offered the space. So, let me offer this perspective: Antisemitic rhetoric absolutely IS on the rise, and it IS making many of my people anxious. That’s why we need friends and allies… to have people who will stick up for us, but also so that we can feel less alone. When the Almighty made the covenant with Abraham and promised to bless him, and through him to bless all the earth, that blessing functions like a circle. It is in blessing others that we are blessed, because we are connected. The fear of “the other” disappears when we know each other.
Pastor: Of course. You are so right. Thank you for giving me a message of hope today.
Rabbi: You are most welcome.
Scene 7: Elizabeth & Zechariah’s house, with visitors.
Elizabeth: I believe that you have seen a truth that goes deeper than the surface situation. In fact, I think you are describing a truth that will prove itself over, and over, and over again.”
Mary: What do you mean?
Elizabeth: Well, your song of praise is a testament to God’s action in your life, of course. But you are not alone in that truth.
Mary: I’m not?
Elizabeth: You are the only one who has been called to carry and to mother the son of God. But you are not the only one called to carry the message of God’s mercy: to recognize the ways that God sees those whom society ignores… to celebrate the ways that God’s faithfulness carries through from generation to generation… to rejoice in the ways that God reverses the positions of the powerful and lowly… to see the value in feeding the hungry… to praise God’s faithfulness to the people of Abraham in this and every age. This is your truth, but it is a much bigger truth as well. It is a truth big enough to bring hope to the whole world!
Mary: You’re right. It’s a truth I knew before the angel’s visit. I was able to say yes to this calling, and give thanks for this miracle, because of the stories I have received from those who came before, which taught me to give thanks for God’s mercy.
Elizabeth: You know, the more I think about it, the more I think that we should write down your spontaneous expression of praise to our good God. I think it might actually become an important psalm for many people. How did it go again?
Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Maid: for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Nana: Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for God has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, God’s mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Church member 1: God has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly;
Restaurant owner: God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
Rabbi: God has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
All: Thanks be to God.
