A Christmas Play (A Shepherd's
Tale)
by J. Amadís
Characters:
- John: The
oldest and most stubborn shepherd.
- Paul: The
shepherd who is always sleepy.
- George: The
most humble and devout shepherd.
- Ringo: The
youngest and most cheerful shepherd.
- The Devil: (Lucifer)
- The Archangel Michael: The
celestial messenger.
Scene I
(The shepherds, John, Paul, George, and Ringo, are
in the field, wrapped in their blankets, pretending to sleep, while a fire
burns in the center. The Devil arrives, disguised as a merchant, and speaks to
the audience.)
The Devil: (To the audience)
I’m called the Devil, a master of evil.
I wander the world, sowing discord.
I'll deceive these shepherds, for I am their rival.
I am their enemy, with no remorse.
I'll stop them from finding that child in the
stable.
I'll do whatever it takes to prevent this tale.
I am the great Lucifer, who from heaven was hurled,
and I bring with me all the evil in the world.
(The Devil approaches the shepherds and speaks to
them.)
The Devil: (To the shepherds)
Good shepherds, good people,
what a beautiful evening!
I come from a faraway land,
and I am selling beautiful things!
(The shepherds, sleepy, stretch.)
John: What's that?
Paul: Who is it?
George: A traveler?
Ringo: A merchant, how nice!
(The shepherds get up.)
John: Hey, friend, what do you bring?
The Devil: I bring good news, my good shepherds.
I have clothes, rings, and food for everyone.
What do you want to buy? Come closer, don’t run!
I have blankets of fine wool,
so you won't feel a single chill.
I have silver coins and gold,
which I sell very cheap, or so I'm told.
I have a delicious meal ready to serve,
a banquet you truly deserve.
I have sweet candy and a delicious wine,
so you'll feel well, and truly divine.
Paul: (Stretches)
Food? Wine? I’m interested!
I feel very sleepy, and I’m very tired.
George: My friend, we don't need all that.
We're happy with what we have, and that's a fact.
Ringo: What a pretty ring, how shiny!
Let me see it, I like how it looks, so tiny.
It seems to have a lot of shine,
how much do you sell it for, my friend, so fine?
The Devil: I don't sell it for a price, my dear
friend.
I only ask you to give me your heart, and that’s
it, my dear friend.
Give me your will, and you will be rich.
You will have everything you want, just give me
your pitch.
John: What are you saying? You must be crazy!
You ask for my heart and my will? Oh, my.
Are you not a man of flesh and bones?
You talk like a devil, with these devil tones.
The Devil: I'm no devil, my good man!
I'm a good person, a simple merchant, can’t you see
my plan?
I only want to do business with you.
I sell very cheap, come closer, it's true!
(The shepherds doubt him.)
George: Let's not listen to him, friends.
He seems like a bad man, with bad intentions, my
friends.
Let's continue on our way, let's keep going.
The star shines brighter, it's glowing.
Paul: But the food... I'm hungry.
Ringo: And the ring...
John: Let's go, let's not pay him any mind.
Let's find the stable, and leave this man behind.
(The shepherds walk away. The Devil, furious,
stomps his foot.)
The Devil: You'll see, you fools, how you will
fall.
You will not reach Bethlehem at all.
I am the Devil, I am evil, I am sin.
I will make you all lose, and I will win.
(The Devil transforms into a horrible beast with
horns and a tail. The shepherds run away terrified.)
Scene II
(The shepherds run, and the Archangel Michael
appears in front of them, dressed in white, with a shield and a sword.)
The Archangel Michael: Stop, good shepherds!
Don't be afraid.
I am the Archangel Michael, and I come from heaven.
Do not be afraid of that man.
He is the enemy, the one who brings evil to the
world.
He is the great Devil, the one who wants to stop
your search.
John: But... how did you know?
The Archangel Michael: A star from heaven
is a sign of the arrival of the Messiah, the Child,
the King.
I come to tell you not to listen to him.
The Child is waiting for you, so come, follow me,
let's sing.
He will be born in a stable, in Bethlehem, in a
manger.
You must go, good shepherds, and bring him joy, and
feel no anger.
Paul: But the devil… he’s so scary.
The Archangel Michael: Do not be afraid of him, he
will not harm you.
He has no power over you if you don't listen to
him.
Come, let's go, let's find the Child.
He is waiting for you, so follow the star and don't
be wild.
(The shepherds continue on their way, and the
Archangel Michael disappears.)
Scene III
(The shepherds arrive at the stable. The Virgin
Mary, Saint Joseph, and the Baby Jesus are there. The shepherds kneel and adore
the Child.)
The Archangel Michael: (To the audience)
And so, good people,
the shepherds found the Child, the King.
They followed the star and found the Savior.
He was born in a stable, in a manger, and he is the
giver.
The one who saves us from sin and evil, the one who
brings light.
The one who will reign forever, the one who is the
greatest knight.
(The curtain closes.)
