The Christmas Story
The Shepherds

[The setting--a small hillside in the boondocks]

SHEPHERD #1, (shivering), "Dude, it's so cold!"

SHEPHERD #2, (scratching a lamb underneath its chin), "Later we'll build a fire, and I have dried beef we can chew while you practice on the sitar."

SHEPHERD #1, "I think my fingers are frozen. The sitar will be cold as ice razors."

SHEPHERD #2, (laughing), "Your fingers have endured much worse. Besides, I have wine to stave off the cold. But have you noticed to the east, the sun's glow should have faded but there persists a light. Moreso, as the sky clears, I see it is from a star. But no planets are due in this space for several more months."

SHEPHERD #3, (running up a hill towards the two breathless), "Guys, there's this...this...(he gestures behind him, pointing repeatedly for emphasis).

[Moving up the hillside is a luminous presence, a bright source of light outshining the stars. It moves slowly, brightening the hillside and greening the grass beneath its light. Flowers brighten and colors come alive after being touched by its light. The light becomes a small child, beautiful and fragile. The child speaks clearly.]

ANGEL: "Fear not, for I bring tidings of great joy!"

SHEPHERDS, (in unison) "Whoa...Dude.Do.You.See.What.I.See?"

ANGEL: "Guys, I'm here to tell you. There's more than your jam session going on tonight. Something's happening. You want to be in?"

SHEPERD #1, (bathed in the Angel's light), "We are so in...are you taking us there? Where are you from?"

ANGEL: "I'm from two thousand years in your future. I'm here to witness this too."

SHEPERD #2: "What do you mean you're from two thousand years in our future?"

ANGEL: "I was given a free pass to watch this. I was given this part in the play. I am here to give you hope." (whispering conspiratorily), "there is something to hope for..."

[The Angel shines brightly, illuminating the hillside, and the hillside comes alive with sounds of small children singing. The Shepherds watch, rapt, as the heavenly chorus echoes over the countryside singing ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' The Angel smiles as the song fades and the lights swirl around.]

ANGEL: "This is better than any play I got to be in." (turning to the shepherds), “Okay, (clearing her throat) today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

SHEPHERDS: “A manger? Our Savior is born in a manger?”

ANGEL: “He prefers a low key entrance. (smiling) You’ll understand later. For now, I’m telling you to go and see this child brought into the world to save all mankind.”

[And once again the hillside was filled with other worldly rejoicing. The young Angel looked about and said softly to herself, “Ms. McCreedle’s plays never had these props.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."]