A Short Christmas Play

This is a short Christmas play that I wrote years ago.  We actually performed it at Iron Hill.  It was fun to do and we got "rave" reviews as they say.  Hope you like it.

 

 

ANGEL LEROY’S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

One angel in high command interviews a very inexperienced and bumbling angel for the assignment of all assignments.

Ms. Beatrice :  (Ms. Beatrice is busy looking through personnel folders of candidates.  She looks at her watch and gets up to see if her next appointment is here.  As she walks to the door to check the waiting room she says…)  “If there is one thing I can’t tolerate it’s got to be angels that are tardy!  When are they going to realize that they are on call twenty-four /seven?”  (She opens the door to see if her next interview has arrived.)  “Mr. Leroy?  Is there an angel Leroy here?”

Leroy:  (Out of breath with his clothes messed up he answers in a Gomer Pyle accent…)  Well golly…yes ma’am, that’s me.  Here I am!

Ms. Beatrice:  (Inspecting him and his attire, she is not pleased and nods her head back and forth.)  Angel Leroy come on into my office.  (As he walks into her office she notices that he is obviously limping.)  Angel Leroy, are you alright?  You look rather, well, “unangelic.”

Leroy:  Oh yes ma’am I’m alright.  I tell you what – there was so many hosts of angels in that waitin’ room, I do declare I think I had some feathers pulled out of my right wing!  Do you see any of ‘em missin’?  (Ms. Beatrice looks at Leroy over the rim of her glasses with a very displeased expression.)  It reminds me of that time back in Jerusalem a century or two ago I had an in flight collision with another angel.  And lo and behold, my right wing got all cramped up.  And all I could do was fly with my left one.  Well sir there I was just a flying in circles – that’s all I could do.  It was the funniest thing!  And dizzy!  Boy I must have been dizzy for about a week!  Worst case of vertigo I’ve ever had….”

Ms. Beatrice:  Angel Leroy…

Leroy:  And you know what, I’ve had a touch of that there rheumatism in my right wing ever since.  Oh I’ve tried ever thing!

Ms. Beatrice:  (A little bit louder…)  Angel Leroy.

Leroy:  Let’s see I’ve tried Ben Gay, Deep Heat, Icee Hot, Asper Crème, Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofen and none of ‘em worked at all!

Ms. Beatrice:  (Even louder….)  Angel Leroy.

Leroy:  And on these cold mornings or when we’re havin’ a change in weather – man oh man (rubbing his wing and shoulder)…there I go again just flying’ around in circles (moving his left arm and shoulder as a wing!)

Ms. Beatrice:  (Very loudly….)  Angel Leroy, please!.....(Calming down somewhat and taking a deep breath)….Have a seat.

Leroy:  Well it is quite comical.  There I go just a flying….(He looks at Ms. Beatrice and sees she really means business.  He quickly sits and puts his hands between his knees.)  I’m through now.

Ms. Beatrice:  (She looks at him and places her palms together as in prayer, looks up to heaven and back at Leroy.  She remains quite for a few seconds and then continues….)  Angel Leroy, I’ve summoned you here today on behalf of The Almighty Himself (closes hands in praying position and looks up toward heaven.)  He (same position)….has an assignment of utmost importance for a special angel.  That’s why He (same position) asked me to pull all these files of potential candidates.

Leroy:  Well what kind of assignment is it Missy Be-at-trice?  I read my Angelic News Reporter every Monday and Thursday and I’ve not seen any job openings listed.

Ms. Beatrice:  Yes, that’s true and there’s a reason for that.  This will be one of the most important and memorable assignments in all of history.

Leroy:  Well golly what kind of assignment is it and why did you call me in?

Ms. Beatrice:  Well it’s an assignment involving an infant….

Leroy:  Oh, no.  You can just hold it right there!  I ain’t interested in working no “Baby Detail.”  I don’t know nothing ‘bout birthing no babies and to tell you the truth, (he looks around to see if anyone is listening, leans forward to Ms. Beatrice and whispers to her)….I’m kind a scared of ‘em.  You see, I’m so big and clumsy and there’s my bad wing….did I ever tell you about my bad wing?

Ms. Beatrice:  (Quickly….)  Yes, yes you did!  But Angel Leroy this is not “Baby Detail.”

Leroy:  It’s not?

Ms. Beatrice:  No, although it does involve a baby, a very special baby.  You see, the Father… (hand position again) has decided that it is time to send His Son, Jesus, down to Earth so that His plan of salvation might come to pass.

Leroy:  Hot dog!  And I’m gonna be one of them there angels that goes with Him to help Him set up His earthly kingdom!  Oh man I hope there’s gonna be some fightin’.  I love to fight evil for Jesus.   You know, I’ve always thought the world of that young man Jesus.  He’s so easy to talk to.  Oh boy I can’t wait.  You know Earth is a nice to visit but I sure wouldn’t want to live there.  But since we’re going, I hope I get to go to Athens.  Do you think He’ll set up His earth kingdom there?  I’ve always wanted to see Athens.  But please Ms. Beatrice, tell me there’s gonna be some fightin’ evil forces.

Ms. Beatrice:  Angel Leroy, you’ve got it all wrong!

Leroy:  What you talkin’ ‘bout Ms. Beatrice?

Ms. Beatrice:  There’s not going to be an earthly kingdom and Jesus is not going to enter as a king.  That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.  He’s going to enter the world as a little baby.

Leroy:  A baby?  Well how in the world is He gonna do that?

Ms. Beatrice:  “How” is not the important question.  The important question is “Why.”  You see Leroy, it’s hard for us angels to understand the feeling God has for the humans on earth.  He loves them so much.  In fact, you know as well as I that that’s one of our most important reasons for our existence – to help minister to those people in need.  And now in His infinite wisdom, God (hand position) has decided that it’s time for their Savior, Jesus, to be born into the world.  For those that accept His as their personal Savior, their hearts and souls will be cleansed from their sins and transgressions and they will be assured of a place  of eternal rest and happiness here in heaven.

Leroy:  Well what does God want me to do?  I just don’t understand.

Ms. Beatrice:  It’s not important that we understand, but that we believe and trust in God.  (She opens a file folder marked “Special Assignment.”)  Here’s what God wants you to do Leroy.  He wants you to place a brilliant star in the sky so that everyone will see it.  It will shine brightly in the night and light up the way to the Savior who may be found in a small manger in the town of Bethlehem.

Leroy:  I don’t know.  That sounds like a very important job – to put up a star that will point to where Jesus is.  I just don’t know  if I could do that.  I’d probably find some way to mess it up.  (Stuttering…)  And uh besides, I’ve been planning to take a compute course.  I’m still having some problems with that new Windows program that came out a few months ago.   And uh, I’ve put on a few pounds.  (Patting his stomach.)  This ole angel ain’t  as light as he used to be.  I thought I’d start working out on that Belly Buster machine down Heavenly Body’s gym.  You know, I just don’t know if I could work that into my schedule right now.

Ms. Beatrice:  It sounds to me like you’re having doubts about your ability.  Listen to me Leroy.  God sees in us, what we don’t see in ourselves.  He sees our potential.  And the most important ability we can offer God is our availability.  We’ve got to be available when He calls us.  And God is calling you to do this task for Him.  So what do you say?

Leroy:  Well…..I reckon so.  If God wants me to try I guess I’ll do my best.

Ms. Beatrice:  Leroy that’s all He asks of all of us – our best.  (Looking at her watch….)  Oh my look at the time.  Leroy you’d better get going!

Leroy:  Well golly Ms. Beatrice, I guess you’re right.  I don’t want to be late on the job when the “Boss” ( he does hand position) hand  picked me Himself.  (He gets up from his chair and grabs his shoulder…)  Ah oh!

Ms. Beatrice:  What is it?

Leroy:  There goes my rheumatism again.  Did I ever tell you bout my rheumatism?

Ms. Beatrice:   Yes, yes you did Leroy.

Leroy:  Well it all started with an in flight collision with another angel over Jerusalem.  Boy did it ever smart.  You see my right wing got all cramped up and I couldn’t use it “atall.”  Well there I was just a flying in circles!  (Slaps his thigh)  It was one of the funniest things you’ve ever seen!  (They both depart.  Ms. Beatrice has a look of disgust on her face as well as concern.)

(The lights dim.  The song, Away in a Manger, plays softly in the background.  After a few moments Leroy is heard to say….)

Leroy:  Let’s see now, where am I ‘sposed to put this star?  Let me take a look at my map.  OK, Ok, I go straight over Jericho to the Dead Sea and swing a left and it should be right ‘bout there.  Well golly there it is – Bethlehem!  It’s just where the map says it is.  Now for the star.  Ah oh, the star!!!!  Where did I put it?  Oh yea here it ‘tis, here it ‘tis.  Right here all safe in my back pocket.  OK little feller let’s do your stuff.  You’ve got to shine bright enough so’s you can lead everybody to the baby Jesus.  There you go, there you go!  Shine on little buddy shine on!!!!  (The star shines brightly.  Silence for a few seconds…)  I wonder…I wonder if’n I can see the little baby Jesus from here.  Let’s see now, I should look straight down under the star.  And all I see is a little manger with a man and a woman in it.  But wait a minute, there’s something moving in the hay.  Why, it can’t be….can it?  Is that baby Jesus?  Why it’s got to be.  And look at Him, He’s beautiful.  Look at those eyes.  Yep, yep He’s got His Father’s eyes all right!  That’s Him, that’s Jesus!  I tell you one thang Baby Jesus.  I sure do hope that ever human man, woman, boy and girl know just how much You love ‘em to do what You’re doing for ‘em.  Why You’ve got to be the best gift of love in the whole wide world.  Happy birthday baby Jesus.  (He gives a large sigh of relief….)  Well God, I done did my best so I guess I’ll be going now.  But first let me make one little “ajustment” to that star.  (He yells out….)  OUCHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  There goes my rheumatism again.  God, did I ever tell you ‘bout my rheumatism?  Well, it’s the funniest thang.  It all started a century or so ago when I had a in flight collision with another angel…..

(While Away in a Manger plays throughout this scene, Mary takes place holding baby Jesus.  While Mary is cuddling the baby, the song Heaven’s Child is sung.)