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Burden of the Christ Child
By John Cosper
www.righteousinsanity.com
CHARACTERS
Gabriel – An archangel
Gabriel walks into a spotlight. A chair is set in the
spotlight, facing the audience. Gabriel sits down. His face is somber; a great
burden is on his mind.
They’re entering Bethlehem now. Your father sent me here to
make sure you’re ready. Won’t be long now.
Pause.
I don’t have to tell you, the world is a different place
than the one your father made. It’s not just the sin. The people are divided
between those who believe in Him, and those who believe in something man-made.
Those who believe in your Father are not the majority. Nor are they the ones in
power.
This is not your world. You’re going to find that you don’t
fit in anywhere. You’ve already laid a heavy burden on the ones you will call
Mother and Father. They’ve handled your impending arrival with grace and
obedience, but that doesn’t lessen the embarrassment and the pain they’ve
endured, thanks to the mysterious nature of your birth. They’ve suffered a
great deal because of you. In time, they’ll suffer more.
Right now, your parents are miles from home, thanks to
Caesar. Seems he has the same timing as your father – which is only making things
harder for them. When they arrive, they’ll quickly find there’s no room for them
– or you. Your first room will be an open stable. Your first bed will be a
damp, dirty feeding trough.
Despite all the prophecies your Father gave his people,
there won’t be any welcoming committee. If your Father hadn’t chosen to reveal
your birth to those shepherds, your birth would be completely unnoticed in
Israel. Right now, the only men keeping watch for you are pagan scholars from
the East. Ironic, isn’t it, that a group of Gentiles who followed after the
teachings of Daniel are the only ones who will note the birth of the promised
Messiah. But that’s the point, isn’t it? This isn’t just about redeeming the
Lord’s elect. You’re going to save the world.
There’s another irony to the Magi who will come to witness
your birth. When they arrive, you will be marked for death. When Herod learns a
new king is born in Israel, he will stop at nothing to hunt you down. Hundreds,
maybe thousands of infants will die because of you. You’ll be forced into exile
in Egypt, like your people before you. Then when you return home, you’ll grow
up in obscurity.
Many people will flock to see you when you are revealed. But
you’re going to be disappointed with them as well. Most of them will come for
themselves – heal me, touch me, destroy Rome. But when it comes time to make a
decision, to lay down their lives for you, very few will stay. Most of them
will have no trouble turning against you when it comes your time to die. And
yet, you’ll be asked to die for them, just the same.
Yours will only be the first of many. Millions will die in
your name. They’ll face torture and imprisonment for speaking your name. There
will be no end to the suffering you cause to your people. By the blood of martyrs,
your gospel will live on.
If it were in my power to do anything about it, I’d ask if
you were sure you wanted to go through with it. But if I know you, like I know
your father, that choice has already been made. There’s no turning back. There
never has been. I only hope they don’t miss all that you are willing to suffer
for their sake.