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MARK: It's very hot isn't it?
SUSAN: Yes, and I am very tired and very thirsty.
JOHN: There doesn't seem to be much sign of Father Christmas
around here.
PETER: You know what, I think we are lost.
All look at him in consternation and repeat his last word variously
CEPHAS: Well cheer up everybody. Something
is sure to happen.
MARK: (Ready to cry) I want my mum.
JANE: Ooooooooh look! There are some people coming.
ALL: (Variously) Where? Where?
JANE: Look over there, near those trees.
PETER: And they are coming this way.
JOHN: They seem to be wearing very funny clothes. And
what funny hats they have on their heads.
SUSAN: Do you think one of them may be Father Christmas?
JOHN: Well they can't all be Father Christmas can they,
so one of them may be.
CEPHAS: But what strange hats they are wearing.
SUSAN: I wonder if they will give us some water to drink.
JOHN: You know, I don't think they are wearing hats at
all. Each one of them has a crown on his head.
ALL: (Variously) A crown?
CEPHAS: But what can three kings be doing in an empty
desert like this?
JOHN: Well, what are we doing in it?
CAROLIE: (Edging away, a move others involuntarily
follow) Suppose they try to kill us?
PETER: Kings don't kill people silly.
JOHN: No, they only kill each other.
SUSAN: Besides they look very nice. Look they are all
smiling at us.
Enter The Magi
1st MAGI: What are you doing here?
PETER: Well, you see, we are looking for Father Christmas.
The three Magi look at each other in bewilderment
JOHN: Are you Father Christmas?
2nd MAGI: None of us is what you call Father Christmas.
3rd MAGI: But who is this Father Christmas you speak of?
None of us has ever heard of him.
PETER: Well, every Christmas he gives presents to children
everywhere.
1st MAGI: But what is Christmas?
JOHN: Do you mean to say you have never heard of Christmas?
SUSAN: Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, the
baby who was born to save us all.
The three Magi are suddenly transfixed
2nd MAGI: Did you say a baby? A Saviour?
SUSAN: Yes, that's right.
3rd MAGI: How wondrous! How very strange! We are being
guided to this baby. That is why we are here. We have followed
it a very long way
1st MAGI: Do you see that star?
For the first time the children become aware of a blazing star in the sky. They gaze on it in wonder
CEPHAS: Then you are not Father Christmas,
and you don't have any gifts.
2nd MAGI: Oh yes, we have gifts, very precious gifts,
which we are taking to this new born babe.
CAROLIE: What gifts have you got?
They all crowd round expectantly
3rd MAGI: Well this king here is carrying gold,
that king carrying frankincense, and I am carrying myrrh.
JANE: Well, if it's for a little baby wouldn't it be better
if you took some toys?
1st MAGI: (Solemnly) My child, we are taking the
best gifts we can find to do honour to one who is going to bring
joy and happiness to people everywhere.
They sing the carol 'O Come All Ye Faithful' in which all join
2nd MAGI: Look, look, the star is moving again.
Quick, we must follow it. Let us not lose it.
PETER: So you don't know anything about Father Christmas?
1st MAGI: Oh no. We know nothing at all about him. Please
excuse us, we must be going. Goodbye.
The children respond and watch them as they disappear
JANE: Pity they did not give us some water. But Christmas,
and that star, and the new born baby, they all seem part of the
same thing somehow.
PETER: Yes that's right. Do you know, I think we ought
to follow them.
There is a chorus of agreement and they move off with Cephas bringing up the rear
JOHN: I bet we don't find Father Christmas.
» Scene 4 - Outside a stable in Bethlehem in Roman times
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