Bethlehem Buddies
a Christmas musical for children by Ray Lombardi

Bethlehem Buddies

Anna - maid

Rachel - maid

Diana - waitress

Amos - busboy

Joshua - bellhop

Daniel - stable boy

Mordecai - Inn Keeper

Premise - six Bethlehem Buddies commiserate about their harsh, stingy

boss until they discover that God had special plans for the Bethlehem Inn,

and discover that their roles allow them a special part in the greatest birth

in history.

Songs - "No More Mr. Nice Guy"

SCENE 1: The Inn at Bethlehem, 2:00 pm - The inn is in a state of total frenzy.  . Mordecai is totally frazzled  as guests arrive who must come to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. As the scene opens, everyone is scurrying around the inn, setting tables for dinner, making up beds with linens, and taking care of guests and their luggage.

Mordecai: "Anna! Did you make up room 210 like I told you to? And Rachel, didn't I also tell you that Mr. and Mrs. Levi needed extra pillows in their rooms? If you two don't get moving on this stuff you'll be working 'til midnight tonight, and don't think I'm paying you a shekel in overtime!"

Anna and Rachel, in unison: "Yes, Mr. Mordecai, sir!"

Mordecai: "Daniel - when are you going to get those stables ready? You know we've got to take care of at least 10 mules tonight! Now get your shovel and get out there. . . and no playing with the chickens again, they're there to make eggs, not play games with you!"

Daniel: "Yes sir!!! Mr. Mordecai, right away!

Mordecai: "Diana and Amos - front and center, now!"

Diana and Amos scoot over to Mr. Mordecai, and Amos salutes like a soldier.

Amos: "You called for us, sir?"

Mordecai: "Put your hand, down, boy, this isn't the army. Didn’t I tell you to peel those potatoes? Are they done?"

Amos, saluting again: "No sir!"

Mordecai: "Why not?!!"

Amos, saluting again: "Sorry sir, we had a kitchen emergency when the cook spilled the Lentil stew."

Mordecai: "Great! The house specialty all over the floor. I hope you tried to salvage it. The guests will never know. We'll just tell them we added some unusual spices from Egypt. . . that usually works."

Diana: "But sir, that would be lying to our guests and I. . . "

Mordecai, interrupting: "WHO ASKED YOU! You don't even have the tables set for dinner yet! Just mind your business and get back to work, both of you!"

Diana and Amos, both saluting and in unison: "YES SIR!"

Mordecai: "Joshua? Where is Joshua? He better not be flirting with the girls in housekeeping again! I'll strap a oxen yoke around that kid's neck and make him pull the plow if he's up to his tricks again!"

Joshua, sneaking up and standing right behind him, in a loud voice: "YOU CALLED, SIR?"

Mordecai nearly jumps out of his shoes.

Mordecai: "Will you stop doing that!"

Joshua, innocently: "What do you mean, sir?"

Mordecai: "You know exactly what I mean. Have all the guests been settled in their rooms?"

Joshua: "Every last one."

Mordecai: "And they all placed their dinner orders?"

Joshua: "Absolutely."

Mordecai: "And they all have clean water bowls?"

Joshua: "Clean as a whistle."

Mordecai: "And you turned down their beds?

Joshua: "Right after I took a nap in them."

Mordecai: “WHAT!”

Joshua: "Joking, sir. Just tryin' to ease the tension around here a little."

Mordecai, through clenched teeth: "There is NO tension in my inn and if you even suggest that there is I'll take your little scrawny neck and. . . "

Joshua: "Excuse me sir, more guests arriving, we'll talk later!"

Joshua runs off to help some new guests.

As all of the staff busy themselves with getting the inn ready Mordecai comes
to the center, speaking to the audience.

Mordecai: It's a thankless life I lead. You'd think owning a inn would be better than

manna from heaven. But it’s not. Day in, day out, having to deal with obnoxious sounds

all night, complaints, fighting, and constant bickering. And that's just MY OWN family!

Then there's my staff. A bunch of lazy, incompetent, carefree, happy-go-lucky kids. Makes me want to. . ., well you know, I don't want to say it in polite company. But I'm tellin' you this: it's time to crack the whip. It's time to take off the kid gloves. I've got to put aside my gentle, kind nature and get tough. Because from now on, it's NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!"

Mordecai sings "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!"

No More Mr. Nice Guy!

words & music by Ray Lombardi

I own this whole establishment,

I manage all the staff;

I pay each worker what they’re due,

I even make them laugh

But they always take advantage

of my generosity

So from now on I’ve got to change,

I’ve got to make them see

No more Mr. nice guy,

No more happy host

If I can’t scare them into shape

I’ll make myself a ghost

So watch yourselves and do take heed

I’m warning you right now

Cause there’s no more Mr. Nice Guy

This is my solemn vow!

I work real hard and pay the rent

My guests always come first,

But if I hear one more complaint

I think I’m going to burst

I know it’s my good nature

that’s causing me this pain

If I don’t fix it right away

I think I’ll go insane!

God, why did you make me such a wonderful kind man?

They’re ruining my 5-star inn, don’t you understand!?

Please help me to be really tough

To shed this gentle skin

Help me, Lord, to let it out

To become the beast within

SCENE 2, 4:15 pm, The Inn. Mordecai has gone off to do some paperwork in his office. The staff, tired after bustling around all day, regroup at the inn’s front desk.  Everyone slumps to the floor in a exaggerated show of exhaustion. . .

Rachel: “My feet are killing me. . .”

Daniel, sniffing his clothes: “I smell like an old donkey.”

Anna, turning up her nose: “You sure do. . .”

Amos: “My fingers are like prunes. They’ve been in water all day long!”

Joshua: “My arms feel like rubber. I must have carried 100 talents’ worth of luggage up those rickety steps today.”

Diana: “I almost broke a dinner plate and two goblets. That would’ve been taken out of my pay, no doubt!”

Anna: “I wish had Andrew’s job.”

Joshua: “Which Andrew?”

Anna: “You know, Andrew who works over at the temple courts. He’s got a real cushy job. It’s probably cushy because he’s doin’ something for God himself.”

 

Amos: “Yeah, I believe it. I wish we could do something for God.”

Rachael: “Huh! As long as we’re in this dump, that’s not going to happen!”

Diana: “You’re not kidding!  Wouldn’t it be great if we could all do something wonderful for God! Imagine that, like being a priest or rabbi? Wouldn’t that be great?

Staff/chorus sings song: “WOULDN‘T IT BE GREAT?”

Wouldn’t It Be Great
words & music by Ray Lombardi

Wouldn’t it be great

If we could do something great for God

Wouldn’t it be great

If we could do something really, really big

Wouldn’t it be great

If we could something truly wonderful

Oh wouldn’t it, wouldn’t it, wouldn’t it

Wouldn’t it be great.

If we could make the world a better place to live

If we could show the world it is better when you give

If we could teach the world it’s a good thing to forgive

That would be something really, really great for God

Yes,

Wouldn’t it be great. . .  (chorus)

If we could help the sick and poor, and those who are in need

If we could help them everyday by doing a good deed

If we could bring the word of God to those who cannot read

That would be something really, really great for God

But maybe God has other plans for us

Maybe it requires much less fuss

Maybe He just wants us to obey

Maybe just to praise Him every day

Chorus

Amos: “We gotta stop this doing this to ourselves!”

Rachael: “You mean come back down to earth?”

Daniel: “You mean take a bite of reality?”

Joshua: “You mean wake up out of our daydream?

 

Anna: “I think we get the idea.”

Diana: “Well, I hate to break up this wonderful little party, but it’s getting late and Mr. Mordecai will be getting anxious about dinner soon. We’d better get back to work. We’ll have to pick up on these dreams some other time. Let’s face it. . . it’s just never going to happen!”

Everyone reluctantly gets up and goes back to work. . .

SCENE 3: 5:35 pm, The Inn.   Mordecai is greeting the guests as they come to dinner. Suddenly a knock at the door distracts him, and he leaves the guests to go see who it is.

Mary and Joseph wait anxiously at the door, knowing that this is the only inn in Bethlehem, and that the baby is just about to be born.

Mordecai, opens the door: “Can I help you?”  

Rachel, Anna and Joshua creep up behind Mordecai, curious to see who it is.

Joseph: “Oh yes, thank you. We’d like a room please, as soon as possible”

Mordecai: “Fine. Come back next Wednesday and I think we can fit you in.”

Joseph: “I mean we need a room right now. . . my wife’s about to give birth!”

Mordecai: “Yes, I can see that. We’re not a hospital, you know. I’m afraid we can’t help you!”

Anna and Rachel, from behind Mordecai, whispering to him: “Mr. Mordecai, she’s going to have a baby! We can’t just turn her away!

Mordecai: “Quiet!”

Joshua, skirting around Mordecai while Anna and Rachel have him distracted.

Joshua: “Here, let me help you with your bags.”

Joseph: Oh, thank you, young man, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate. . . “

Mordecai: “HOLD IT! WE DON”T HAVE ANY ROOMS!”

Joseph looks down, dejected.

Joseph: “Thanks anyway, young man. It’s nice to know there are still some decent people left in this world.”

Anna and Rachel are glare at Mordecai, while everyone else looks totally depressed. . .

Mordecai, after a moment’s thought: “Oh, all right. You can stay out in the stable. But I’m charging you the FULL room rate! And don’t be asking for extra pillows ‘cause we don’t have any!”

Anna, to Rachel: “We’ll make sure they’re comfortable. I’ll go get the extra pillows and sheets hidden in the hall closet. You go tell Daniel to make sure there’s a clean stall out there. And then make sure that Diana and Amos get some of that stew to bring out to them as well.”

Joshua: “What about me?”

Anna: “Go help our guest get settled in! Can’t you see she’s going to have a baby? And I’ve got this feeling. ..  there’s something about this baby, but I’m not sure what is yet.”

Chorus Sings: “SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS BABY”

There’s Something Special About this Baby
words & music by Ray Lombardi

There’s something special about this baby

There’s something different about this child

There’s something special about this baby

There’s something different about this child

Yes, there is a glow, a light, all around this place

When the little baby’s born in this cold, dark place

He will bring such joy to every face

‘Cause there’s something special

About this baby

He will fill the world with hope of a brand new way

He will show all men the dawn of a brand new day

With every word that he will say

‘Cause there’s something special

About this baby

There’s something special about this baby

There’s something different about this child

There’s something special about this baby

There’s something different about this child

Read: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government there will be no end.

He will grow to be the one that the prophets told

Would be the Messiah, Lamb of God, foretold

He is the One, we now behold

For there’s something special

About this baby

There’s something special about this baby

There’s something different about this child

There’s something special about this baby

There’s something different about this child

SCENE 4: 6:38 PM - at the manger stall - Mary and Joseph have just finished dinner.

Diana arrives with to take away their dinner plates.

Diana: “How was the food?”

 

Mary: “It was wonderful. We haven’t had a hot meal since we left Nazareth. I’d love to get that recipe!”

Diana: “There may be some ingredients in that stew that might be difficult to find. . . “

Joseph: “I thought it tasted a little exotic.”

Mary, suddenly feeling her belly as the baby kicks inside: “I don’t know if it’s the special ingredients in that stew, but I can tell this baby’s ready to be born.”

Joseph: “Oh my!  I don’t know if I’m ready for this!”

Mary: “It’s not like you’re the one giving birth here. . .  help me sit down, will you?” Joseph helps here sit down while Diana helps her from the other side.

Mary, to Diana: “Do you want hear something very special, my child?”

Diana: “Of course! What is it?”

Mary: “This baby that I’m about to deliver is not just an ordinary baby.”

Diana: “That’s what we were thinking!”

Mary: “Really? Anyway, this baby that I’m about to give birth to is the Messiah.”

Diana: “The Me-what?”

Mary “The MESSIAH.  This baby is the son of God. Even though I’m giving birth to him tonight, the angel told me that this baby would be the savior of the world!”

Diana: “Angel?”

Mary: “Well, actually it was an archangel.”

Diana: “Archangel?”

Mary: “Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”

Diana: “Haven’t got a clue.”

Mary: “That’s OK. I know it’s a little hard to understand right now. But the kindness you and your friends have shown us tonight will be remembered by God throughout all of eternity.”

Diana: “Wow. I gotta go get the others. I don’t think I can handle this on my own. I’ll be RIGHT back!”

Diana scurries off to round up the rest of the crew.

Chorus Sings ”BORN A SAVIOR”

Born A Savior
words & music by Ray Lombardi

Born a savior

Born a king

Hallelujah!

Praises now we sing.

For the Father has sent the Messiah

That all men might his mercy be shown

Born a savior

Let this truth now be known:

That Jesus is the savior

That Jesus is our king

Jesus is Emmanuel

To Him we will sing

Glory Hallelujah

The savior has been born

Born today a savior

On this blessed Christmas morn

Born a savior

Born to die

Born to this destiny

Only God knew why

He gave us his son as an offering

of payment for all the world’s sin

Born a savior

Let rejoicing begin!

For Jesus is the savior

And Jesus is our king

Jesus is Emmanuel

To Him we will sing

Glory Hallelujah

The savior has been born

Born today a savior

On this  Christmas morn

Born a Savior

Born the Savior of men

Born a Savior

I’ll say it, I’ll say it again:

That. . . (chorus)

SCENE 5: 7:42 PM The manger stable. Mary has given birth to the baby Jesus.

The staff come rushing back to the manger, Joseph meets them:

Amos: “Did it happen? Was the baby born?”

Anna: “I can’t wait to see the baby!”

 

Diana: “Can we see him, please? I’ve never seen a messiah!”

Joshua: “I want to hold him!”

Daniel: “I want to hold him first!”

Joseph: “Shh!! The baby’s sleeping right now. He IS a beautiful baby, though, and as soon as he wakes up, I’ll let you hold him.”

Anna: “Is there anything we can do for you?”

Joseph: “You guys have been great. Each of you has really been a huge help. I don’t know what we would have done without you. Someday I’ll be able to tell my son all about each of you, and how you helped the parents of the Son of God on the night he was born.”

Chorus, singing starting to sing softly: “GLORIA, ALLELUIA”

Gloria, Alleluia
chorus & carol arr. by Ray Lombardi

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Glori in Exclesis Deo

While shepherds watched their flocks by night

Gloria, Alleluia

the angel of the Lord came down

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria in exclesis deo

Gloria in exclesis deo

Hark the herald angels sing

Glory to the newborn king

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Glori in Exclesis Deo

The first noel the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Glori in Exclesis Deo

Joy to the world the Lord is come

let earth receive her king

let every heart

prepare him room

and heaven and nature sing

and heaven and nature sing

and heaven and heaven and nature sing

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Gloria, Alleluia

Glori in Exclesis Deo

Glori in Exclesis Deo

Gloria, Alleluia!

Joshua: “Wait, guys, do you hear that?”

 

Anna: “Yeah, what is that?”

Daniel: “I don’t know, but it’s coming from right outside!”

Everyone rushes outside to see what is going on. . . they look up to the skies as GLORIA, ALLELUIA begins to swell in volume. During the song Rachel, who had not

appeared with the other staff at the manger when the baby was born, leads a group of

shepherds to the manger during the song.

Anna: “Rachel, where were you?”

Rachel: “I was so excited about the birth of the Messiah, I ran to tell my uncle Benjamin, who was with the other shepherds just over the hill. He said that the angels already had told them about the birth of the savior, so I told them where he was, and they came here to worship him.”

Amos: “This is SO exciting!”

Anna: “I know, I can’t believe we got to be a part of this. . . I can’t wait to tell Andrew. He’s going to be SO jealous!”

Diana: “Just when we were thinking that God didn’t have important work for us to. . . “

Joshua: “And that our job was really boring. . . “

Daniel: “And lousy. . . “

Rachel: “And BORING. . . “

Amos: “God let us be a part of this amazing birthday!”

Daniel: “I’m so glad you guys are my buddies!”

Diana: We ARE buddies.”

Anna: “Bethlehem Buddies!”

Cast and Chorus sing BETHLEHEM BUDDIES

Bethlehem Buddies
words & music by Ray Lombardi

Bethlehem buddies, Bethlehem friends

We came together, just as God sends

his son to humble manger of hay

Boy, what a story, what a red-letter day!

and now all together, we gather to say

Bethlehem buddies are here to stay.

We are buddies ‘cause we got to be a part of the greatest miracle on earth

and we’re buddies ‘cause we got to be a part of the savior’s humble birth

we are buddies ‘cause we all want to share

to everyone, everywhere

that Jesus came to show how much God cares

he came and answered all our prayers

We are buddies ‘cause we all got see shepherds from the hills come and bend the knee

We are buddies ‘cause we heard the angels song, and all of us got to sing along

We are buddies ‘cause we all had a part

in helping Jesus get a start

On the road to his ministry

Oh how happy this made us be!

 

SCENE 6: 8:00 am, The following morning, Christmas Day  - The staff is lined up at the front desk, waiting for Mr. Mordecai to appear. When Mordecai appears, each says “Good Morning!” cheerily as Mordecai walks by.. .

Anna: “Good morning, sir!”

Joshua: “Good morning, Mr. Mordecai!”

Diana: “Top of the morning to you, sir!”

Amos:  “Nice to see you this morning, sir!”

 

Rachel: “Good morning, sir!”

 

Daniel: “Great day, isn’t it, sir?”

 

Mordecai: “What’s gotten in to you people?”

Anna: “We’re just happy to be here, sir”

Mordecai: “What exactly happened around here last night? Sounded like there was a party or something! You know I don’t allow parties here in this Inn. This is a RESPECTABLE inn! We don’t carry on, like they do over in Jericho. People like quiet!

People go to bed early!  (Mordecai continues to rant and rave as he walks off towards his office)

Diana: “You think he knows?”

Amos: “He doesn’t have a clue!”

Rachel: “Well let’s make sure our guest (pointing to the audience) leave on a happy note!”

Cast in unison: MERRY CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS US, EVERYONE!

The End