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The play is set in Zababdeh in the present. A couple (Im and Abu Elias) is visiting with a family in preparation for Christmas. They are in their living room. Characters: Im Maurice [Mother of Maurice] Abu Maurice [Father of Maurice] Maurice (son) Martha (older daughter) Rana (younger daughter) Abu Elias Im Elias Abu Maurice: You know, Abu Elias, the situation here just keeps getting worse. We’re not living anymore - just surviving. It’s only shooting, killing, assassinations, suicide bombings... Abu Elias: You know what the worst thing is? Our girls have stopped talking about fashion or the latest gossip. They only talk about politics: is Jenin open or closed? From which road, Jennat, or Sweitat? Should we go by the Hamra or Tayasir checkpoint? I tell you, Abu Maurice, we are fools in one big jail. Abu Maurice: You know, this all started two years ago in Jerusalem with the “Al-Aqsa Intifada.” Now we’re asking whether the road is open or closed, whether the army will come through the village tonight. What meaning could Christmas possibly have these days? Im Elias: Speaking of Christmas, do you remember last year when they wouldn’t let Arafat go to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve? Abu Maurice: Sure. They put the kaffiye on his chair in his absence. Maybe this year they’ll put a kaffiye in Jesus’ place in the manger scene. Abu Elias: I’m not sure I’d want to go to the Nativity Church. Remember last April when they attacked Bethlehem and killed people while they were inside the church? Acting like King Herod? They didn’t respect the sanctity of the church. They didn’t respect the people inside. And the world just sat by and did nothing. All we can do is ask God to protect us this day and the next. Im Maurice: Hey, you know what I heard yesterday? I was watching Al-Jazeera, and they said that there will be a Palestinian State in 2005 - on one condition: that there are any Palestinians left to live in it. Im Elias: You know, every year comes, and we wish each other “Merry Christmas.” I think for next year I’ll change my name to “Mary.” That way when people wish me “Merry Christmas,” I can say “Yes, it is.” Im Maurice: I don’t understand. Im Elias: If someone says, “Merry Christmas,” I can agree that it is Christmas. At least that way, I gain myself. [Sound of Shooting] Abu Elias: Well, it sounds like you’re idea isn’t working yet! God save us all. Abu Maurice: Where’s the shooting coming from? Abu Elias: Maybe it’s Izat’s house - or maybe Abu Salim. Abu Maurice: Maybe Abu Ruzeid came back from the hospital and they’re attacking his liquor store again. Abu Elias: Maybe Abu Ruzeid is the one who is shooting! Abu Maurice: In any case, it seems to have stopped. Im Elias: Yeah, it’s over, but please get up slowly. We don’t want to lose anyone; otherwise, God have mercy on you. Abu Maurice: You know, just one year I want to have a feast, a celebration at Christmas time! Abu Elias: What do you expect from a feast, Abu Maurice? You want peace? You want work? You want scholarships for your kids? What are you waiting for? Christmas can’t bring you any of those things. Abu Maurice: At the very least, I want to live in peace, to have freedom. For three years we’ve been living in the time of the Intifada. And before that, we had another seven years of Intifada. And before that, we had twenty years under Occupation. I don’t even know what generation will get to live in peace. Im Elias: Listen, everybody! There’s breaking news! Turn on the TV! [Al-Jazeera Theme] TV Announcer: Good evening. This breaking news just in to Al-Jazeera. There has been a suicide bombing in the Israeli Knesset. Seven people are killed, dozens are injured. Abu Elias: In the Knesset? That can’t be! How could they have done it? How did they get in? Abu Maurice: It’s like I’ve told you a million times, Abu Elias, violence begets violence. Nothing will stop an oppressed people. Abu Elias: I just hope he won’t be from Jenin this time, from Hamas or Islamic Jihad. Abu Maurice: This time there will be no joking with Sharon. He will level Jenin Camp completely. Abu Elias: You’re right. Now, the whole world is occupied with Iraq. Sharon will have plenty of time to show us how much he loves us. Im Elias: Quiet! Listen! [Al-Jazeera Theme] TV Announcer: The children of Bethlehem have claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing. Abu Maurice: Bethlehem? Children? Lord have mercy. What is that? Is this a new party? Maybe they’re connected to Hizbullah (party of God). Abu Elias: Last year Arafat couldn’t enter Bethlehem. If this news is true - pardon my language - even God himself won’t enter Bethlehem, through the checkpoints and tanks. Can we send him a message by SMS to tell him not to trouble himself? Abu Maurice: Yeah, do you think? It’s a good idea. We’ll tell him to go directly to Egypt because he’ll go there anyway. Abu Elias: No, no, I guess he’ll be born in a substitute country. Abu Maurice: Which country? Abu Elias: Jordan! After all, it’s the Palestinian state. Im Elias: No, I don’t think so, because he needs permission to travel. He won’t get it. Only if he has a visa and a ticket. And since the Palestinian uprising in Ma’an, they don’t want to let the children of stones into Jordan. [Children of stones is a term for Palestinians, especially those who grew up during the first Intifada.] Abu Elias: Let’s see what’s happening on the news. Abu Maurice: Ok. Al-Jazeera channel. [Al-Jazeera Theme] TV Announcer: The Israeli Army has entered Bethlehem. Abu Maurice: Oh my God. We will celebrate this Christmas with Jesus. [Al-Jazeera Theme] TV Announcer: IDF soldiers have gone directly to Manger Square in Bethlehem and surrounded the Church of the Nativity. Abu Elias: Look! It’s not like last time. They went directly to the square. They don’t want a siege. They don’t want negotiations. They don’t want transfer. Only shooting. Bang bang. Abu Maurice: Listen. The news. [Al-Jazeera Theme] TV Announcer: The Israeli Army has demanded that hospitals release the names and addresses of all children born in Bethlehem under two years of age. Abu Maurice: [asking his wife] Woman, you need to take away the decorations. No more crèche. No more celebrating. The hay, give it to the animals. Jesus, this small child, I want to put it somewhere and keep it away from the house. We don’t want any noise or disturbances from the children of Bethlehem. This time they will say that Jesus is a terrorist. You remember that Peter denied Christ for what? And Judas sold him for silver. Abu Elias: I told you: Jesus was planning an Intifada against the Romans. Abu Maurice: He is not weak. He’s strong. [Joseph and Mary enter] Maurice: Daddy! There are people coming! Abu Maurice: What? What did you say? People? From where? We’re not expecting anyone. Maurice: They are not from Zababdeh. Abu Maurice: Let them enter. Joseph: God be with you. EVERYONE: God be with us? What is that expression? Joseph: We are very sorry to disturb you now, but you’ve heard the news. Especially in Bethlehem. We are coming from Nazareth to Bethlehem. My wife, as you see, is at the end of her pregnancy. Abu Maurice: Where are you from? From Bethlehem? Oh my God! Joseph: Yes. And you see what the situation is like there. Abu Maurice: Yes, I know. Honestly, I don’t know what to say to you. You know the situation better than me. And you are from Bethlehem. And the children of Bethlehem are making problems for us. I am sorry. I can’t put my family at risk because of the children of Bethlehem. And, as you see, we don’t have any room. Students from AAUJ are renting every free space in town. I think you’ll have to take care of yourselves somewhere else. Joseph: Thank you. Thank you so much for everything. Take care of yourself. Take care of your family. God be with you. [As they leave, Martha secretly talks to them and leads them to the other side of the house.] Abu Maurice: Let’s play cards. No celebration, nothing, no Christmas, just cards together. But only cards, not gambling like Las Vegas. Abu Elias: Fine. We don’t have any money to gamble anyway. Abu Maurice: Exactly. Do you think that the closure of Jenin is good for me? I don’t have any money to give to my children to buy gifts or clothes. I don’t have bread in my house. Abu Elias: I told you that something bad for others is good for us. I’m glad that Jenin is closed, so my kids won’t ask me for anything. Abu Maurice: Let’s play backgammon. I don’t want any disturbances. Nobody. [The sound of a baby crying] Abu Maurice: Where is that from? I want to know now! Oh God have mercy. What happened!? Martha: Dad, Dad! Abu Maurice: What do you want? Martha: I know where the voice is from. Abu Maurice: From where?! Martha: Please, Dad, don’t shout. Don’t be angry. The family that you chased out? I led them around to the other room. The woman was about to give birth. She gave birth. She had a son. A beautiful, beautiful, baby boy! Abu Maurice: What did you say? Beautiful son? Oh my God. Get out of my face. I can’t believe this. [Shouting:] When will we have peace? When will we have a good life? With Christmas life is no good, and without it life is no good. God, please be with us. AE: Hey, be calm. Calm down. We will resolve the problem now. [Tanks sound and soldiers enter.] Soldiers: Hands up! Don’t move! There is a child in this house! Abu Maurice: Oh my God, have mercy! Please protect us! Soldier: Who is the man of the house? Abu Maurice: [stuttering from fear] I am. Soldier: There is a child. I want him now. [Rana enters with doll] Rana: Dad! Dad! Abu Maurice: Quiet! What do you want? Rana: Dad, look what Santa brought me! Abu Maurice: Santa? What did he bring us? All the problems. [Rana presses the doll, which makes a crying noise like the baby.] [Surprised, the Soldier takes the doll, presses it and hears the same.] Soldier: I guess Santa Claus loves you and protected your house. If it was a real child, I would destroy the house. Sit down everyone. SIT DOWN! [Soldiers leave] Abu Maurice: Thank you, thank you Santa, thank you. Abu Elias: I told you, God will protect us. God will give us the solution. [Joseph and Mary enter with baby.] Joseph: We are very sorry. We know that we disturbed you and because of us the soldiers entered the house and threatened you. Abu Maurice: Yes, you know for why we didn’t accept you in our house. God protected us and your child. [Everyone is sitting. Im Maurice takes the child in her arms and plays with him.] Im Maurice: [Stands up and then shouts] Oh my God! I am healed! I am healed! For fifteen years my hip has pained me but now I can walk with no problem! Abu Maurice: Oh my God! Thanks! Thanks! God healed my wife. It’s really a new life for us today. It is like a real Christmas Eve. Maurice: Dad, I’m hungry. There is only one piece of bread in the house. I don’t want to eat by myself. I want to give it to my little sister. Abu Maurice: God will provide. Divide it with you sister. [Martha takes her piece and puts it in the baby’s hand – multiplication takes place] Martha: Who wants bread? God provided us with a lot of bread. Abu Maurice: Where is this bread from? Give it to me. [Look of amazement as a hymn is played in background] Rana: Dad, I’m cold, and there’s no more wood for the fire. Abu Maurice: Come. Come hide in my coat. [Martha holds a water jug next to the baby, and it changes to wine.] Martha: Who wants wine? Who wants wine? Abu Maurice: Wine? From where? Martha: God changed the water into wine. Abu Maurice: There is something strange here. First, the doll in front of the soldiers saved us. Santa Claus protected us. My wife was healed. The moment I don’t have a piece of bread, there is a lot. Water changed to wine. I don’t know what happened in my house. Abu Elias: I know what has happened. I will tell you. All of these stories happened in the Bible in Jesus’ life. Jesus healed many people. Jesus multiplied the bread. Jesus changed the water into wine. Jesus protected, and is protecting us. Abu Maurice: Let’s pray. Let us ask God for forgiveness for our sins. Jesus is born in our life. And we didn’t know. Jesus is making miracles in our house. He is born without a star. He is not born in a grotto. He is born in our hearts. Abu Elias: Let us raise our voices to God like the shepherds and the kings around Jesus. Abu Maurice: But we don’t have the child Jesus. Rana: Dad, let’s put the child in the middle. Abu Maurice: Which child? Rana: This one. This small baby. Martha: Dad, everybody, I want to tell you a secret. This child born in our house is Jesus himself. This is Mary and this is Joseph. God born without a star, as my father said. The only star we have is our faith, our Bible. It is our only prayers. [Everyone kneels in front of the child as a hymn is played in the background. |
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