Scenario
Isaiah is looking to finalise his prophecy about Jesus’ birth from Isaiah 9. He meets over Zoom with some of God’s angels, and wants to know what the baby’s name is going to be.
Parts
Isaiah –
Michael –
Raphael –
Gabriel –
The scene begins with Raphael joining Michael on the Zoom call.
Michael: Hi Raphael, thanks for joining. We’re just waiting for Isaiah and Gabriel to join us.
Raphael: Oh, Gabriel just messaged me to say he’s running a bit late, but will be with us as soon as he can.
Michael: Ok, that’s fine.
Raphael: So what’s this meeting about?
Michael: Isaiah is just looking to finish off his prophecy about God sending his son to Earth, and he’s looking for one or two final details apparently. Ah, here he is.
Isaiah joins the call.
Isaiah: Hi everyone.
Michael: Isaiah, great to see you. How’s it all going? Are you ready to deliver your great prophecy?
Isaiah: Well, it’s going pretty well, but there’s just a couple of details I’d like to iron out, principally what the child’s name is going to be…..
There’s a brief pause.
Raphael: Yes, well we’ll come onto that when Gabriel gets here. How about you tell us what you’ve got so far?
Isaiah: Ok, well it’s still a work in progress, but I thought I might start like this: [clears throat] Friends, Israelites, countrymen; lend me your ears…
Michael: [intake of breath which interrupts Isaiah] Yeah, I’m not sure about that. It’s not particularly catchy.
Raphael: I agree, I mean this is a really important prophecy. This is going to be read in carol services all over the world every year at Christmas.
Isaiah: What’s Christmas?
Michael: Never mind that, the point is, we need this prophecy to be really memorable, and I just don’t think that is going to cut it.
Isaiah: Ok, well if you’re sure. I thought it was rather good. [Looks through his notes] Ah, how about this one: I have a dream, that one day…
Raphael: No.
Isaiah: Sorry? I’d barely got started.
Michael: But it isn’t a dream, it’s a word from God. We don’t want people thinking you had too much cheese one night and disregarding the prophecy.
Isaiah: [sighs] Ok, fine. Maybe I’ll just move onto the next bit, although I do need to know the child’s name for this – it really is quite important.
Raphael: Yes, yes, Gabriel will give you that when he gets here, but let’s hear what you have.
Isaiah: Ok. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. [He pauses and looks up, expecting an interruption]
Michael: Keep going. This is good stuff!
Isaiah: 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…… [He stops, and makes a gesture as if to say, ‘this is where the name needs to go’, and then holds that pose]
There’s a pause as Isaiah waits to find out the name.
Raphael: Oh no, he’s frozen, his wifi’s gone.
Isaiah: No, no, I haven’t frozen. This is the bit where you tell me what the name of the child will be so that I can finish off the prophecy.
Michael: Ah yes. ([under his breath] Where’s Gabriel?) Soooo, yes, well, he’s going to have many names. Er, I mean many people will call him Counsellor.
As they continue, Isaiah starts scribbling things down….
Raphael: Yes, he’ll be a wonderful counsellor! And of course, although he will be God’s son, he is in essence also God, so will be every bit as mighty as God.
Michael: Indeed! Others will call him Father, but he won’t be like an earthly father, because he will always be there for those who call on him, so sort of an everlasting father really.
Raphael: And he will call on people to set aside differences and to love one another, not to fight and hurt each other, so I guess you could call him the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah: Ok, that’s great guys, thank you so much. I think I’m sorted now.
They look surprised.
Raphael: Oh, really? I didn’t think we’d actually answered your question…
Isaiah: Oh, but you have.
Michael: Ok, so read out what you’ve got now.
Isaiah: Alright. I’ll just pick up where I left off…… And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace……
There’s a pause. Michael and Raphael struggle to find something to say.
Michael: I mean, it’s a bit of a mouthful isn’t it?
Isaiah: I think it’s just right, and I really do need to be going as I still need to finish it off. Thank you so much for your help.
He leaves the meeting.
Raphael: So, did that go well or not? I’m not really sure.
Michael: Me neither. Ah, here’s Gabriel.
Gabriel joins.
Gabriel: Hi everyone! Oh, where’s Isaiah?
Raphael: You’ve just missed him.
Gabriel: But I thought he wanted to know the child’s name?
Raphael: He did…..but he’s managed to get something down.
Gabriel: Really? What?
Michael: He’s going to tell people his name is [thinks carefully, recalling what Isaiah said] Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, er, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
Gabriel: Oh. Well that’s all fine, but we were just going to call him Jesus.
Michael: Do you want me to call him back into the meeting?
Gabriel: No, don’t worry. I’ll go and tell Mary nearer the time. Come on, we need to get going – choir practice starts in a few minutes.
Raphael: Ooh, you’re right. See you there!
Michael: Yep, see you both there!
The meeting ends.
From Counterslip Baptist Church, Bristol. Reproduced with permission.