Sketches - While Shepherds

See Luke 2:8-20.

This is a Christmas sketch, but with a difference. The shepherds have already gone down to visit the new born baby Jesus, but there are some others out in the hills that night whose business is sheep rustling. An angel appears to them, just doing his job, and eventually works out that they are not on the straight and narrow!

Notes

There are three characters, two sheep rustlers, Gary (dim) and Wayne (dimmer), and the angel. Initially the scene is dark and Wayne and Gary are stumbling around stepping in things! It is very important that when the angel appears, Gary is facing the other direction and some distance away.

Preparation

The angel might like to be dressed in white and have wings! Gary and Wayne should be in dark clothes and wear dark hats/caps. The 'electronic voices' at the end can often be done on a keyboard. The Angel should be illuminated by a single spot light.

Wayne	You sure we're in the right field Gary?
Gary	Sure? Course, I'm sure, 'ave I ever let you down! Anyway, you leave the thinking to me alright.
Wayne	If you say so.
Gary	Yeah, well I does don't I.
Wayne	Can't see no sheep though.
Gary	We'll find 'em don't you worry.
Wayne	It's just so dark. I can't see nothin'.
Gary	Well, that's good in'it - in our line of business. What aint seen can't be told.
Wayne	Suppose so. [pause] Where are all the shepherds then?
Gary	I dunno, gone down into the village I think, some sort of party, or something. I heard one bloke say they'd seen things in the hills. Don't know what sort of things. Anyway, a spot of luck for us aint it.
Wayne	Yeah, suppose. But I like parties. Can we go later?
Gary	No we can't! You can't go round nicking sheep, then go to a party with the shepherds! It don't work that way does it.
Wayne	Oh [whine] I really like parties.
Gary	Oh shut yer mouth up and look for them sheep.
Wayne	[Pause] Yuk [general cries of disgust] I think I just stepped in something.
Gary	Trust you.
Wayne	How big are these sheep supposed to be?
Gary	Oh stop yer moaning an' get out that new torch of yours and shine it over there.
	[Gary must have his back to Wayne. The angel appears in front of Wayne bathed in light.Wayne sees him and falls to his knees].
Wayne	[Stupified] Daa, daa, daa, ....
Gary	[Unawares as yet].Blimey Wayne, that new torch of yours is pretty good, you got new batteries an all.
Wayne	Gaa, gaa, gaa.
Gary	Still can't see no sheep.
Wayne	Gaa. gaa, gaa.
Gary	Oh! Will you stop going gaa gaa gaa, and help me find these bloomin... [turns round] Arrrgh! [rush to Wayne's side and falls on knees].
Angel	Do not be afraid!
Gary	Wha-what do yer mean d-don't be afraid, we're p-p-petrified!
Angel	I know, I don't know why I bother, but it's in the script! I suppose it would be better to say - Be afraid, be very afraid, but you've got to make an effort for shepherds haven't you
Wayne	Baa baa baa.
Gary	[Slaps Wayne on the arm] You can shut up now.
Wayne	Ow.
Angel	You are, ... you are shepherds aren't you?
Gary	Yes.
Wayne	No.
Gary	[Slaps Wayne on arm and hisses] Shut up will yer.
Angel	What, you're not shepherds?
Gary	No.
Wayne	Yes.
Gary	[Slaps Wayne on the arm and hisses insistantly] Will you shut up!
Angel	Let me see, no sheep, no shepherds crook, no beards, and an unmarked Ford Transit in the lane. You're not shepherds at all are you. You're sheep rustlers! [light flashes].
Wayne	Now we're for it! Please don't hurt us.
Angel	Well, I am an angel, a messenger of God. I had some good news for you, but I'm not sure I should tell you now.
Gary	What, you can tell us where the sheep are?
Wayne	Oh, shut up Gary.
Gary	Sorry.
Angel	No, it was about a party in the village, a very specially party, by invitation only.
Wayne	Oh a party, a party, I love a party, please Mr. Angel, we're sorry for being sheep rustlers aren't we Gary.
Gary	S'pose.
Angel	Well, I don't know.
Wayne	Oh please, please, please, nice Mr. Angel, please let us go please.
Angel	Well, if I could be sure you had changed your ways.
Wayne	We will, we will, we'll never nick any more sheep never, will we Gary.
Gary	S'pose. What's this party about anyway?
Angel	It is a very special party for a very special baby. His name is Jesus. He is God come to earth. He will show the world how to love, how to forgive and how to heal. Many will put their trust in him and return the love he has for them. His party will never end.
Wayne	Wow!
Angel	Many are invited to the party but not all want to go. But for those who do go, their lives are never the same again, Jesus party lives in them.
Wayne	Wow, I want to go, choose me, choose me!
Angel	You may go.
Wayne	Wow thanks Mr angel, hurray, [sings like a kid] I'm going to the party, I'm going to the party.
Angel	But what about you Gary, do you want to go?
Gary	He won't want me at his party. I'm a bad lad yu' know.
Angel	Do you think your badness is bigger than Jesus' goodness?
Gary	S'pose not.
Angel	Well, then, what are you waiting for?
Wayne	Yeah, what are you waiting for Gary, come on let's go Gazza-babe.
Gary	Don't call me that [they get up and move out of the light] I won't go if you call me Gazza-babe!
Wayne	Okay, I won't call you [exagerated] Gazza-babe.
Gary	Oi!
Wayne	[Calls back] Bye Mr. Angel.
	[Light goes out - electronic voices rise and fade]
	THE END.