The Dawning Light of Hope

7/30/2019 The Dawning Light of Hope

1/33

The Dawning Light of HopeA Christmas Drama by Jeff Carter


2/33

*1* EXT. VILLAGE WALL -AN UNEASY PEACE

A woman enters, staggering beneath the weight of the heavy load upon her shoulders. She crosses the

stage. Suddenly she collapses in a heap.

ELISHEBA

(a cry of overwhelming grief)

Aaaaaaaaah!

She lays there sobbing. For several moments there is no one to comfort her. Then MIRA enters

rushing to comfort and help her.

MIRA

Oh, my friend, my dear! What has happened to you?

The sobbing continues

ELISHEBAMy sister in Besara.

MIRA

(Gasp)

No!

ELISHEBA

Yes yes she and her children and Yakov, her husband. All of them, dead

And Yakov among the crucified.

MIRAOh, my sister, my love, my dear

The two women embrace and weep together. YONA enters.

YONA

Mira, Elisheba! What is this?

MIRA

Elishebas received word that her sister is among the dead at Besara.

YONA visibly bristles at this news. He is enraged.

YONA

Murdered by those Roman dogs!

He sputters and fumes for a moment flummoxed by his rage. Then, suddenly, he sets up a pile of

stones downstage, making an impromptu platform.


3/33

YONA

(Shouting)

Cry loudly! Do not hold back! I will raise my voice like a trumpet!

MIRA

What are you doing? Stop that!

YONA

(to MIRA)

I cannot be silent. I will not be silent. No.

(Shouting again)

I will cry loudly. I will not hold back. I will raise my voice like a trumpet.

I will raise my voice like a trumpet to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to

undo the bands of the yoke. TO LET THE OPPRESSED GO FREE!

A crowd is beginning to gather around YONA.

YONAI am not a desperate man. No. I am not a desperate man; I have hope.

But these are desperate times, and the people of God are groaning under

the weight of them.

YONA

Listen! The people are not silent! Elisheba, she weeps for the dead. She

does not leave it for the ground to cry out for them. Listen to her and raise

up your cry with her!

YONA

How long must our children be killed? How long? How long must our sons,and fathers, and brothers be imprisoned, for how long? How long will your

daughters, and sisters, and mothers live in fear? How long?

The crowd is becoming more animated. They punctuate his speech with their own shouts.

YONA

When Pompey led the armies of Rome into Jerusalem twelve thousand

Sons of Abraham were slaughtered to demonstrate their power. And now,

another demonstration of their rule this time in Besara, another demonstration

of their mighty empire.

YONA

But I say: No kingdom but Gods. No Lord but the Lord of Heaven! The Messiah

of God will come and with him, the Revolution. He will break them from the

inside. He will tear them from their thrones. He will crush their skulls with

his iron scepter and bring Justice to this land.

The crowd cheers. But MIRA and ELISHEBA drag YONA down from his platform and

away from the crowd.


4/33

MIRA

Yona! You must stop this.

YONA

I cannot, Mira. For Elisheba, I cannot

ELISHEBA

Please, Yona. I would not have you do this. I would not have you die too. Please.

Just then ROMAN CENTURION and several ROMAN SOLDIERS enter.

ROMAN CENTURION

Disperse now! Disperse peaceably or you will feel our swords.

The crowd scatters in fear.

MIRAQuick now, Yona, Elisheba. We must go now.

ROMAN CENTURION

(to the crowd as they flee and to the audience)

We will subdue this land. You can be sure of that.

END SCENE


5/33

*2* INT. A SMALL HOUSE DAYMARY, MOTHER OF GOD, DAUGHTER OF REVOLUTION

Mary is sewing, patching a torn shirt. She hums a tune as she works.

MARY

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let all Israel sing,

if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, all of our enemies

would have swallowed us alive

She breaks off singing and sewing to look around. She is startledas if shed heard something- but

theres nothing

MARY

all of our enemies would have swallowed us alive, when their

anger was burning against us

There it is again. This time she puts down her sewing and stands. Suddenly there is a bright light and

the sound of birds.

MARY

Ruach Elohim spirit of God!

ANGEL

(remains unseen)

Do not be afraid, Mary.

The bird sounds get louder. We see MARY speaking to this ANGEL (whom we do not see) but we cannot

hear her. She bows her head, shakes her head in confusion, nods, and finally bows low. The light fades.

The bird sounds cease.

MARY remains motionless until MIRA, ELISHEBA, and YONA rush in.

MARY

Mira! Elisheba! Yona! What is it? What is happening?

MIRA

It was the Romans. We had to run. May we stay here for a while?

MARY

Yes. Yes, of course. Was there violence?

MIRA

No, not here. But Elishebas sister and her family were killed in Besara.

YONA

The blood that theyve shed will come down on them in


6/33

MIRA

Not now, Yona

(to MARY)

He nearly brought the soldiers down on us with his shouting. Thats why we ran.

YONA

These Romans cannot

ELISHEBA takes his hand and YONA stops his rant. She holds him.

MARY

Through it all he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servants

and his mercy is for those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in their

proud thoughts. He will bring down the powerful from their thrones and

will lift up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent

the rich away empty and begging.

MIRA

Gracious! Mary, you sound like Yona. Whats come over you?

MARY

The Ruach Elohim the spirit of God, he has overshadowed me.

ELISHEBA reaches out to place her had gently over MARYs womb, and with her eyes, she asks the

question. MARY nods.

END SCENE


7/33

*3* EXT. VILLAGE WALLJOSEPHS PRAYER

JOSEPH is praying as he walks his prayer shawl is drawn up over his head.

JOSEPH

Oh Lord, spirit of God, I am burdened for your people, your children

who groan under their oppression, your children who have no good news

to comfort them. They are broken-hearted and held captive. They mourn.

They bury their children and they mourn.

JOSEPH

Oh Lord, God of heaven, comfort your children. Give them garlands

of flowers to wear instead of ashes and sackcloth. Make us to be oaks of

Righteousness, planted by streams of water to display your glory. Build

up our ancient ruins, raise up our devastations, repair our ruined cities,

so that strangers from far off will know your glory.

JOSEPHOur shame is too much, our dishonor is overwhelming. But you, Oh Lord,

you love justice. You hate robbery and evil. You despise murder and cruelty.

Give them that do evil their recompense. Proclaim a day of vengeance for

our oppressors. Proclaim a year of Jubilee for your people, a year of your favor.

JOSEPH

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God

for he has clothed me in the garments of salvation; he has covered me with

the robe of righteousness. As a garden grows with flowers of beauty, so the

Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations.

There is a light and the sound of birds. JOSEPH turns toward them.

ANGEL

(remains unseen)

Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid

The bird sounds grow louder, drowning out the ANGELs voice. JOSPEH responds to the unseen ANGEL.

END SCENE


8/33

*4* EXT. VILLAGE WALL DAYMORE TROUBLE

A group of ROMAN SOLDIERS is congregating beneath the archway. They are laughing and generally

trying to make the best of an unpleasant duty. A few individuals pass by, going to and from the market.

SOLDIER 1

This heat never ends.

SOLDIER 2

Neither do your complaints. Youve been going on about the heat all morning

Just give it over, will you?

SOLDIER 1

Its just not this hot at home.

SOLDIER 2

But youre not at home, are you? And if youd like to be alive to return home

some day, then keep focused here. These dagger-men of the zealot insurgentsconceal their daggers within their robes.

YONA enters, heading for the archway, but he stops short when he sees the SOLDIERS. He hesitates,

and then decides to proceed. The SOLDIERS have noticed him as well. They are suspicious.

SOLDIER 2

Hold there, Jew!

YONA

What have I done? Im heading to the market. Let me pass.

SOLDIER 2

I said hold there.

(to the other SOLDIERS)

Search him. Careful. He may be concealing a weapon.

The SOLDIERS roughly search YONA and his bag, over his loud protestations.

YONA

I carry no weapons. Ive done nothing. Youve no right

SOLDIER 1

Hes clean.

YONA

Not anymore, Im not. You filthy Romans have made me unclean,

unfit for worship at the Temple.

SOLDIER 1 strikes him across the face. YONA falls to the dust.


9/33

SOLDIER 2

You d do well to keep your rebellious rants to yourself, boy.

Rome is more than strong enough to take care of whelps like you.

YONA

Its you who should watch out. When the Messiah comes he will bring

justice for his people and vengeance for their enemies.

SOLDIER 2

You just dont know whats good for you, do you?

(to the other SOLDIERS)

Take him.

The ROMAN CENTURION enters. The SOLDIERS stand alert and at attention.

CENTURION

Report! What is going on here?

SOLDIER 2

This boy is being detained.

CENTURION

Yes. Ive seen him before, earlier, shouting in thestreet, causing a disturbance.

Youve done well. Take him away.

The SOLDIERS drag YONA away.

END SCENE


10/33

*5* EXT. THE VILLAGE WALLCAESARS DECREE

CENTURION

(reading a proclamation from a scroll)

Be it known by one and all that Providence, which has ordered all

things and is deeply interested in our life, has set everything in most

perfect order by giving us Caesar Augustus, who she filled with virtue

That he might benefit humankind, sending him as a savior, both for us

and for our descendents, that he might end war and arrange all things

for great prosperity.

CENTURION

Thus be it known that Caesar Augustus has issued a decree that a census

shall be taken of those persons residing in the far reaches of his realm.

Everyone everywhere will be registered for purposes of taxation. Those who

refuse to be registered will be subject to his imperial and divine wrath.

The CENTURION nails the proclamation to a pillar for all to see, then exits.

JOSEPH and MARY enter. MARY is visibly pregnant now. They are frightened, but calm. They walk to

the posted proclamation.

MARY

Oh, Joseph

JOSPEH

Mary.

MARYWhat will we do? What will

JOSEPH

We will be registered and we will be taxed, and Rome will rule as Rome

has ruled until the Lord of Heaven is pleased to declare a year of Jubillee

for his people.

MARY

Where will we go?

JOSEPH

To Bethlehem. I have family there.

MARY

Bethlehem. Thats where hell be born, then. Bethlehems not the least

among the rulers of Judah


11/33

JOSEPH

No. Not the least. From Bethlehem comes the shepherd of Israel.

They exit together.

END SCENE


12/33

*6* INT. A DARKENED CELLYONA IN CAPTIVITY

YONA is huddled in a small dark cell. He prays:

YONA

Surely the Lords mercies are not over. Surely his deeds of faithful

love are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed. Great, great

is his faithfulness. The Lord is all I have I say to myself, and so I

shall put my hope in him.

YONA

When the prisoners of a country are crushed underfoot, when human

rights are overridden in defiance of the Most High, when someone is cheated

of Justice, does the Lord not see it?

YONA

Oh Lord, we need your anointed; we need your proclamation to soothe

our heats, and to free the captives. Proclaim the year of your favor,Oh, Lord, to comfort those of us who mourn.

YONA

I will exult for joy in the Lord, my soul will rejoice in my God, for he

has clothed me in garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in a cloak

of saving justice, like a bridegroom wearing his garland, like a bride

adorned with her jewels. For as the earth sends up its shoots

and a garden makes seeds to sprout, so the Lord God makes saving

justice and praise to spring up, even in the sight of the empire.

There is the sudden sound of jangling keys (and, softly, birds) then a light, and the creak of hinges.MIRA enters.

MIRA

Yona Yona! Get up. Youre being released.

YONA

What? Whats going on?

A ROMAN SOLDIER enters, brushing MIRA out of the way.

SOLDIER 1

You heard her! Youre being released. Now get up, get out and

stay out of trouble, or it will be the cross for you.

YONA and MIRA leave the cell. The SOLDIER exits.

YONA

Mira, thank you. I dont know how you did it, but thank you,

and praise God. Praise God.


13/33

MIRA

Yona, listen to me now. Theres been a decree from Rome

YONA is about to react with anger and outrage, but MIRA interrupts him.

MIRA

Now is not the time, Yona. We are leaving today, traveling with Joseph

and Mary to register for the census.

YONA

(reverently whispering, quoting the prophet)

Hence the Lord will abandon them but only until she who is in labor

gives birth

MIRA

What? Yona, are you listening? Were leaving today.

YONA

Yes. Yes. Bethlehem. Today. Lets be on our way.

They exit.

END SCENE


14/33

*7* EXT. ROADSIDEON THE ROAD

MIRA is helping the CHILDREN to pack. Sounds of travelers, camels, donkeys, etc

MIRA

Hurry now. Well be leaving as soon as the others arrive.

CHILD 1

But why?

CHILD 2

I dont wanna go.

CHILD 1

Me neither.

MIRA

We go to Bethlehem because the Emperor says that we must.

CHILD 1

The Emperor? Whos that?

MIRA

Hes the one whose soldiers march in our streets.

CHILD 1

But why?

MIRAWhat?

CHILD 1

Why?

MIRA

Why what?

CHILD 1

Why do we have to go?

CHILD 2

Because the Emperor said we have to and if we dont hell send

the soldiers after us to kill us!

CHILD 1 cringes in fear.

MIRA

Stop it! Stop it now, both of you.


15/33

MIRA notices that CHILD 3 (RACHEL) has been silent and withdrawn.

MIRA

(to RACHEL)

Rachel? Are you okay, little one?

RACHEL

I suppose.

MIRA

Are you scared of the soldiers?

RACHEL

No. Im sad, I guess.

JOSEPH and MARY arrive with ELISHEBA. The CHILDREN dance and jump in excitement.

MIRA

Joseph, Mary, Elisheba!

MARY

Mira, dear sister.

MIRA

The children are ready. When do we leave?

JOSEPH

We are waiting for Yona, are we not?

ELISHEBA

Yes, Joseph. We wait for Yona.

JOSEPH

(disgruntled)

Yona

MARY

He is my cousin, Joseph. We will wait for him.

JOSEPH

(still disgruntled)

Yona

YONA arrives. The CHILDREN jump and dance again.

CHILDREN

Yona! Yona!


16/33

MIRA

Yona! We were so worried.

MIRA hugs YONA

JOSEPH

(still slightly disgruntled)

Yona it is good to see you. We should be on our way now.

They all gather their packs and exit.

END SCENE


17/33

*8* EXT. ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROADTHE CHILDREN OF THE ROAD

The travelers have been walking for some time now and the CHILDREN are tired.

MARY

Joseph. Joseph. The children are tired.

MIRA

And Elisheba too. We could use a rest.

JOSEPH

(looks at the road ahead)

All right. We can stop here for a while. Yon and I will go a bit further.

Theres a well just there ahead.

MARY

Thank you, Joseph.

ELISHEBA

Yes, thank you, Joseph. You are a good man.

JOSEPH

(nods)

Thank you. Come Yona.

JOSPEH and YONA exit.

MIRA and MARY help to make ELISHEBA comfortable. They spread a blanket for her and lower her

gently to the ground. MIRA then helps the pregnant MARY to sit as well. The CHILDREN flop to theground.

CHILD 1

Are we there yet?

CHILD 2

Im tired. How much longer is it to Bethlehem?

CHILD 1

Im thirsty.

CHILD 2

Joseph and Yona went on up to the well. Theyll bring back some water.

RACHEL

(softly at first)

I waited patiently for the Lord


18/33

MARY

Whats that, Rachel?

RACHEL

(louder now)

I waited patiently for the Lord

ELISHEBA and MIRA have heard her now. They turn to RACHEL.

ELISHEBA

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

CHILDREN, MARY, ELISHEBA, and MIRA

He lifted me up from the pit, up from the miry clay. He placed my feet

upon the rock and made my footsteps firm. I will sing, sing a new song

to the Lord.

There is a pause as they consider the words they have just spoken.

ELISHEBA

Thank you, Rachel.

JOSEPH and YONA enter. They are nervous and jumpy.

JOSPEH

Up. Everyone up. Were going now.

MARY

What is it, Joseph? Joseph?(when he doesnt respond)

Yona? Tell me

YONA

There are soldiers on the road. We should go now. Its best that

we dont linger here.

The band of travelers get up to their feet despite their aches and pains and thirst and continue their

journey. They all exit.

END SCENE


19/33

*9* EXT. NIGHTA NEW SON OF DAVID

The travelers have arrived finally. They are exhausted. They pause before entering the village.

JOSEPH

But you Bethlehem, the least of the clans of Judah, from you will come

the future ruler of Israel.

MARY takes his arm. The CHILDREN gather close.

ELISHEBA

Sing to God and praise his name. Praise the one who rides upon the

heavens. Cry his name into the wind.

MIRA

He cannot be caught. He cannot be fled.

YONAAll the clanking footgear, all the soldiers bloodied armor, will be

burnt; food for the flames. He will extend his dominion in

boundless peace, he will make it secure.

MARY

And this is the name he will be given: Wonder-Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace. Jesus.

JOSEPH

Emmanuel.

There is a pause as they reflect on what is coming.

MIRA

(suddenly)

Mary! You must be exhausted. And Elisheba! Joseph, where will we stay?

JOSEPH

There is a sort of common room. Well go there.

They walk a little ways.

CHILD 1

This is Bethlehem?

JOSEPH

This is Bethlehem.

CHILD 1

I expected more.


20/33

JOSEPH

(chuckles)

Whys that?

CHILD 1

King David came from Bethlehem. But it doesnt look like a kings home.

It looks like every other village weve passed through.

YONA

King David! Were he here, hed do something about the Romans.

MIRA

(exasperated)

Yona! Let it go. At least for a while. Please.

YONA

Its just that we were strong under David, and under his son, Solomon

ELISHEBA

(interrupting)

No. Under Solomon, the people of Israel became weak.

YONA

Thats just not true. Solomon expanded the borders of Israel. He built up an

army of chariots and horses, and he built fortresses. Israel was strong under

King Solomon, stronger than weve been since.

ELISHEBA(interrupting again)

No, and no. How did King Solomon build those fortresses?

YONA

What? How did he build them? What are you talking about?

ELISHEBA

How did King Solomon build those fortresses? Ill tell you. He built them

with the sweat and blood and the tears and groans of slaves.

YONA

Elisheba

ELISHEBA

And where did he get those chariots and horses?

YONA

Elisheba, youre tired


21/33

ELISHEBA

Where did he get those chariots and horses? He got them from Egypt,

the land of our slavery.

ELISHEBA

We were carried out of Egypt and made the people of God to be

something different. And when we entered into the land promised to our

forefathers we became the very things we left behind.

ELISHEBA

What we need is not a return to the riches and power of King Solomon. Those

who trust in chariots and horses shall not stand; they will crumble and fall.

No. What we need is not a return to that son of David, Solomon.

JOSEHPH

A new son of David.

MARYA new son of David, the Son of the Most High, who will be given the

throne of his ancestor David. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever

and his reign will have no end.

CHILD 1

A new son of David from Bethlehem.

JOSEPH

Yes. Bethlehem.

They all exit.

END SCENE


22/33

*10* EXT. THE FIELDS SURROUNDING BETHLEHEMSHEPHERDS AND ANGELS

The SHEPHERDS are standing / sitting together. We hear the quiet noise of their sheep as they sleep

through the night. SHEPHERD 1 is singing softly.

SHEPHERD 2

Whats that youre singing?

SHEPHERD 1

Eh?

SHEPHERD 2

What are you singing?

SHEPHERD 1

Its a song my grandfather taught me when I was young.

They stare out into the night sky

SHEPHERD 1

I wish Id paid more attention to my grandfather. I dont remember all the words.

Its about an old blind shepherd who listens to his sheep, and listens to the wind

on the hills, and listens for the voice that will call him home.

SHEPHERD 1

Then to the hills Ill lift my eyes / no matter though theyre blind

and I will walk behind / till far up in the midnight sky

the light of heaven Ill find.

SHEPHERD 1

And maybe when I am up the hill/ and stand above the steep

Ill turn around to look my fill/ on my old flock of sheep

and Ill leave them lying white and still / there on the quiet hills asleep.

SHEPHERD 3

Thats nice. The music keeps the sheep quiet.

They are silent, watching the sheep. Then suddenly there is a bright light and the sound of bird songs.

The SHEPHERDS cower in fear.

ANGEL

(remains unseen)

Do not be afraid. Do not fear. I bring to you a proclamation of

good news of great joy; a joy to be shared by the whole people.

SHEPHERD 2

(still terrified)

What is this?


23/33

ANGEL

(unseen)

Today in the village of David, a savior has been born; the anticipated

one has been born to you. He is the Christ. He is the Lord. And this will be

a sign for you: you yourselves will find him the baby wrapped in cloths

and laid in a manger.

The light swells in brightness, the bird song is louder.

ANGEL

(unseen)

Glory to God in the highest heaven. Glory to God. And on earth, peace,

for those he favors.

The light fades, the bird song is gone. The SHEPHERDS come out of their cowering.

SHEPHERD 3Bethlehem? The Christ is in Bethlehem?

SHEPHERD 2

We must go to him. If hes come, we must go to him right away.

SHEPHERD 3

Now. Lets go now.

SHEPHERD 1

We cant go. Were shepherds.

SHEPHERD 2

Of course we can go. The sheep can mind themselves for a while. They wont

wander far.

SHEPHERD 1

No. I mean, were shepherds: were unclean. Unwelcome. The family of Gods

messiah will have nothing to do with us. We stink of the sheep we watch.

SHEPHERD 3

But the messengers came to us. God sent them to us. Dont you see?

He has proclaimed the good news to us. His kingdom has come and his heralds

have announced it to his people. We must go see this child. We must.

SHEPHERD 2

Lets go to Bethlehem to see the child, to see the one who brings

the kingdom of God.

SHEPHERD 1

But


24/33

SHEPHERD 3

We will be welcomed there. We will be loved. Come. Lets go.

SHEPHERDS 2 and 3 stand to leave. SHEPHERD 1 hesitates, but then joins them. They all exit.

END SCENE


25/33

*11* INT. A HOUSE IN BETHLEHEM-JOSEPH IS WARNED IN A DREAM

MARY is asleep. JOSEPH paces while holding the infant, Jesus. JOSEPH prays for his son.

JOSEPH

Hes a shoot from the stock of Jesse, Lord; give him the spirit of wisdom

and insight, Lord God. Give him the spirit of counsel and power, the

spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord. Let his inspiration lie in fearing you.

Let him judge with integrity and give fair sentence for the weak and humble.|

Let uprightness be the belt around his waist, and constancy to gird his hips.

He places the child in the arms of MARY. Then he prepares himself for sleep. He lies down. Soon he is

asleep as well.

After a moment, a light appears and the sound of birds.

ANGEL

(unseen)Joseph. Joseph. Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape

into Egypt. Stay there until I tell you to return. Herod intends to search for the

child, and will kill him. Get up. Escape into Egypt. I will call him out of Egypt

when it is safe.

The light fades, the bird songs fade. JOSEPH awakes. He sits up suddenly and then rises from the bed.

JOSEPH

Egypt. Mary! Mary! Get up. We must go.

MARYJoseph? Whats wrong? What are you saying?

JOSEPH

We must go. Tonight. To Egypt. King Herod is searching to kill the child.

We must go. Gather up what we need. I will tell the others.

JOSEPH exits. MARY gathers up their meager belongings. After a few moments JOSEPH returns

followed by MIRA and YONA.

YONA

Joseph, stop! Tell us whats going on. Youre leaving us in the middle of the

night for Egypt?

JOSEPH

I was warned to flee that Herod is going to kill the child if we stay. In Egypt

we will be safe.

MIRA

Warned? Who warned you?


26/33

JOSEPH

A messenger. We must go. Mary? Are we ready?

MARY

Yes, Joseph. Mira? Yona? Will you come with us?

YONA

I cannot. My place is here, in Israel. I must stay.

MARY

Mira? What of you and ELISHEBA?

MIRA

Elisheba is old. She is tired. The journey here, I think will be here last.

I will stay with her.

MARYOh Mira

They embrace.

MARY

The children Joseph, the children must come with us.

JOSEPH

Yes. The children will be safe with us in Egypt, but we must hurry.

MIRA and MARY exit it wake and gather the children.

YONA

JosephI

JOSEPH

Yona. We must go. We will be safe in Egypt. You must look after Mira

and Elisheba. You must take care of them.

(he pauses)

For their sake, Yona, you must control your anger. If you provoke the

Romans and you are killed, what good will you be to them, then?

YONA

Yes, Joseph. I understand. I will.

MARY and MIRA and the CHILDREN return. They are ready to depart.

JOSEPH

It is time.


27/33

Everyone embraces before JOSEPH, MARY and the CHILDREN ext.

END SCENE


28/33

*12* INT. A DARKENED HOUSESOLDIERS, INFANTS AND ELISHEBA

ELISHEBA is huddled inside the house. She is ill. She hears the noise of the approaching soldiers:

screams, shouts, stomping boots, etc

Suddenly the door bursts open. Two JEWISH SOLDIERS burst through accompanied by the ROMAN

CENTURION.

ELISHEBA

What is the meaning of this?

SOLDIER 1

We have orders from King Herod to search this village for recently born children.

SOLDIER 2

Where are the children?

ELISHEBAThere are not children here. There is only me, an old woman.

SOLDIER 1

We have been informed that a child was born here. Where is the child?

ELISHEBA

There are no children here. But if there were, what would you do? Kill them?

Does Herod the Great order you to kill children, now?

SOLDIER 2

We do as were told.

ELISHEBA

But you are one of us. You are killing you own brothers children. You know

the law of God, what does it say: Thou shalt not kill. No soldier is obliged to

obey an order contrary to the law of God. No one has to obey an immoral law.

Do not do this. I beg you. In the name of God, I beg you. I order you in the name

of God: Stop. DO not do this wicked thing.

The 2 JEWISH SOLDIERS hesitate almost persuaded by her plea.

CENTURION

Do not listen to her.

ELISHEBA

Does the Caser demand these deaths as well? Do these children threaten

his seat in Rome?


29/33

CENTURION

Rome has no stake in this, except to say that those who oppose the of power

Rome and her governors will be cut down. I suggest that you tell us where the

child who was born here is.

ELISHEBA

I will not.

CENTURION

Then you will die as well.

(To the SOLDIERS)

Kill her.

They are reluctant to kill the old woman.

ELISHEBA

A voice is heard in Ramah, lamenting and weeping bitterly;

It is Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comfortedbecause they are no more.

CENTURION

I said, kill her! Do it and lets move on.

They raise their swords. The lights go out. ELISHEBA screams in the darkness.

END SCENE


30/33

*13* BETHLEHEMYONA AFTER THE SLAUGHTER

YONA has procured a sword. He is ranting.

YONA

See how the Lord lays the earth to waste, makes it a desert,

buckles its surface, and scatters its inhabitants. Rise up! Rise up!

I will strike down the enemies of Israel.

MIRA enters. She sees the sword that YONA is wielding.

MIRA

What? Are you one of the Dagger-men now? A Zealot like the others?

YONA does not respond

MIRA

Will you use that thing against the Romans? Will you use it againstyour fellow Israelites? The zealots kill anyone who stands in their way, Romans

and Israelites alike. Will you join those murderers?

YONA

I cant do nothing, anymore. The Romans have spoiled our land and

killed our people for too long. And HerodHerod the Great hes a

murderer too. He killed all those children, Mira, and Elisheba! Its time

for us to fight, like the Maccabees who resisted the tyrannies of

Antiochus Epiphanes.

YONAI despise the Romans, Mira, and Ill do whatever I can to rid our

country of them, and of their puppets.

MIRA

All your life, Yona, youve waited for the coming of Gods anointed

servant, the Messiah who is coming to bring the Kingdom of Heaven

into the world.

YONA

And now is the time. The Messiah is coming and we must prepare for war

MIRA

Yona, stop it. You know that when the Messiah has come he will judge

the nations. And the people of his kingdom will hammer their swords

into plows and their spears into pruning hooks. And never again will they

prepare for war.

She grabs him by his shoulders and looks into his eyes.


31/33

MIRA

His kingdom wont be like this. It wont be a kingdom of violence.

If evil always takes some form of violence, then more violence isnt

going to change anything.

(pause)

That sword has no place in his kingdom.

YONA

I know, but its so hard to wait.

MIRA

Then dont just wait. Begin now right now by preparing a place

for the kingdom of God within yourself.

She releases him.

MIRA

Get rid of that thing, Yona.

YONA

Yes.

He throws the sword aside.

MIRA

There is hope, Yona. There is always hope.

YONAHope. Its so hard to see.

MIRA

Mary and Joseph are safe. And the child. He is a light, a great

light for this land of darkness.

YONA

Yes. A dawning light for this land, so long under the shadow of death.

MIRA

He will be our hope and our peace.

They exit together.

END SCENE


32/33

*14* EXT. ALONG THE ROADSIDE- ON THE ROAD TO EGYPT

JOSEPH, MARY (who is carrying the infant) and the CHILDREN have been walking for hours, but they are

still full of energy.

JOSEPH

Egypt.

MARY

Whats that?

JOSEPH

Egypt. Were going to Egypt.

MARY

Yes, Joseph. You said the angel instructed you to take us to Egypt.

JOSEPHIts just that Egypt is the land of our slavery.

CHILD 1

The place where we had to make bricks for Pharaohs monuments.

JOSEPH

Yes. Egypt has always been the enemy of Israel. Yet I know what the prophet

has said about Egypt and Assyria too, that other enemy of Israel. Blessed be

my people, Egypt, Assyria, my creation, and Israel, my heritage. I cant help

but to wonder if someday well be blessing the Babylonians and the Greeks

Child 2

And the Romans!

JOSEPH

Yes, even blessing the Romans.

MARY

This child has been sent to us, Joseph. But he isnt ours alone. Hes come

to restore the people of Israel. But even more than that, hes to be a light

to the Gentiles, drawing them to the Lord God making them beloved children.

CHILD 2

I number Egypt and Babylon among those that acknowledge me,

as well as Tyre, Philista, and Ethiopia.

CHILD 3

But of Zion, it will be said, Everyone was born there.


33/33

CHILD 1

Everyone? Even Egypt?

JOSEPH

Yes. Even Egypt.

They walk a little further.

CHILD 1

How long will we have to stay in Egypt?

JOSEPH

The last time our people went down to Egypt, they ended

up staying for over 400 years.

CHILDREN

400 years?

MARY

Joseph! We wont be in Egypt for 400 years. The Lord will call us

when its safe; he will call his son out of Egypt.

JOSEPH

Then we will take little Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us, with us into

Egypt, and there we will wait.

RACHEL

And those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

They all exit.

END SCENE.

Documents

The Dawning Light of Hope