The Nativity Story

Elizabeth:
Are you frightened?

Mary:
Yes. A husband has been chosen for me. The law says I must remain pure for a year. How is he to believe this?

Elizabeth:
Stay with us, then. We will pray for guidance.

Mary:
Elizabeth, why is it me God has asked? I am nothing.

Elizabeth:
Oh, child.

Anna:
An angel told you this? That you will bear the son of God? Mary...

Mary:
Elizabeth had a baby, even in her old age.

Joaquim:
Elizabeth has a husband!

Anna:
Women have been put to death for this. They could stone you in the streets.

Mary:
Father, I have broken no vow.

Joaquim:
You have broken every vow, Mary! Was it one of those soldiers? Was it?

Mary:
I have told the truth. Whether you believe it is your choice, not mine.

Joseph:
If I claim this child as mine, it will be lying. I would have broken a law laid down by God.

Mary:
I would never ask you to lie.

Joseph:
If I say this child is not mine, they will ask what I'm going to do. If I accuse you...

Mary:
There is a will for this child greater than my fear of what they may do.

Joseph:
"And you shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who will save his people from their sins." I know. Mary, God showed me. An angel came to me in my dream.

Mary:
You believe me?

Joseph:
I believe you. The child will need a father. I will declare him as my own.

Mary:
People will not look at you the same. They will not look at us the same.

Joseph:
You are my wife. I am your husband. That is all anyone need know.

Mary:
You've never really told me of your dream.

Joseph:
My dream? [pause, he is teasing her and also contemplating his response] No.

Mary:
Please, tell me.

Joseph:
An angel came to me. He told me the child within you had been conceived by the Holy Spirit and that I should not be afraid.

Mary:
Are you afraid?

Joseph:
Yes. [laughing] Are you?

Mary:
Yes. Do you ever wonder when we'll know?

Joseph:
Know what?

Mary:
When he is more than just a child. Will it be something he says? A look in his eyes?

Joseph:
I wonder if I will even be able to teach him anything.

Mary:
I have broken no vow.

Mary:
A husband has been chosen for me, how is he to believe this?

Mary:
You believe me?

Joseph:
Yes, the angel came to me in my dream.

Mary:
How do we raise such a child?

Joseph:
I wonder if I will even be able to teach Him anything.

King Herod:
I will end this threat to my rule. [Herod then sends all his guards to kill any child under 2 years old - or any woman carrying a child]

Townswoman:
No, not my child.

[a man tries to steal their money]

Joseph:
What comes with us, stays with us.

Mary:
[about the child, Jesus] He is for all mankind.

Melchior:
How many days have you come with us on this journey?

Gaspar:
One hundred and four.

Melchior:
And how many days have you complained about it?

Gaspar:
One hundred and five. [Melchior looks at him confused]... I am counting tomorrow.

[repeated line]

Balthasar:
If I am correct... and I usually am.

King Herod:
I once had a wife who betrayed me. Two sons did the same... before your time. [pause] Where are they now?

Antipas:
No more.

Mary:
[places hand over stomach for a moment and then runs over to Elizabeth] He's moving!

Elizabeth:
[smiles] Mine too.

Gaspar:
You forgot the map.

Joseph:
[Villagers are glaring and glancing sullenly at them as they leave] They're going to miss us.

Mary:
My child. You will have a good and decent man to raise you. A man who will give of himself before anyone else.