(The stage is rimmed with a circular stone colonnade. An expanse of deep blue sky and bright stars is projected above it. As the play progresses, we see the sun rise and set, and clouds move across the horizon. Atop the colonnade, angels and prophets appear. Beneath the colonnade, on a circular mosaic floor, the scenes unfold rapidly and lyrically, with musical underscoring. Simple structures and props suggest a variety of settings that flow without interruption from one to another. The production begins with the CHORUS, representing angels and heavenly messengers, singing from the colonnade. Below on stage at Zacharias and Elisabeth’s house, designated by a small bench stage right, ZACHARIAS kneels and prays.)
[Music cue: “Come, Lord Jesus—Opening Act One” 
, 
]
CHORUS
Come, Lord Jesus, to the manger;
May we see Thy tender face?
Great Creator, here a stranger,
Infant in this humble place.
Darkness scatter, morning swell;
Come, dear Lord Immanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus, to the manger;
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
(Most chorus members exit. A few remain on the colonnade to observe. Zacharias stands and begins packing a bag.)
ELISABETH (offstage): Zacharias! Zacharias! Do you have your robes?
(ELISABETH enters.)
ZACHARIAS: I have them, dear. Thank you.
(Elisabeth exits. A small boy, EZRA, runs in.)
EZRA: Zacharias!
ZACHARIAS: Come here, Ezra.
EZRA: My father says it’s almost time.
ZACHARIAS: Yes, Ezra. I’m almost ready.
EZRA: He says not to believe you if you say you’re almost ready.
ZACHARIAS: Well then go tell him I am ready . . .
(Ezra runs off.)
ZACHARIAS: . . . almost.
(Elisabeth enters and sees Zacharias struggling. She helps him pack.)
ELISABETH: Zacharias, are you all right?
ZACHARIAS: I’m fine.
ELISABETH: Because if it’s too much of a strain—
ZACHARIAS: It’s my turn to serve at the temple.
ELISABETH: Yes, of course. But do they know how hard it is for you to—
ZACHARIAS: They know all they need to know. They know that the Lord has not chosen me to burn the incense. I have not yet drawn the lot.
ELISABETH: I’m sorry.
ZACHARIAS: No, don’t be sorry. I accept it.
ELISABETH: I’m not sure I do.
ZACHARIAS: Elisabeth! We have to accept it. That’s all we can do.
(Pause)
ELISABETH (rolling Zacharias’s robe into a bundle that she cradles in her arms as if it were a baby): Did I tell you my cousin Mary is betrothed? Well, almost betrothed. The women are still planning it. She’ll make a wonderful mother.
ZACHARIAS: Elisabeth, you’re thinking about not having children again.
ELISABETH: What? I’m thinking of Mary. That she’s good and obedient, and of course she’s going to have children!
[Music cue: “I’ll Give God Forever” , ]
ZACHARIAS: O my dear, people can be good and obedient and still not have children.
ELISABETH: I know that.
ZACHARIAS (exiting): Then for your own peace of mind shouldn’t we stop thinking about it?
ELISABETH (after Zacharias): But Zacharias, I’m not just thinking about it. It’s always here. It’s always with me.
ELISABETH (cont’d)
I’ve wanted only one thing since I could braid my hair,
When tending to my dolls was just an art—
And now I can’t dismiss it or drive it from my heart!
How can I stop a thing I didn’t start?
I’ll give God forever to make me what I am.
Give my plans and give my dreams,
Give up all my fretful schemes.
I’ll give God this moment to fill my soul with cheer–
I’ll give Him forevermore
And that will keep Him near.
(Underscore continues.)
ZACHARIAS (starting offstage as he enters): Yes, we must leave it in the hands of the Lord and not worry about it.
ELISABETH: Well then, I won’t worry, but I won’t forget.
ZACHARIAS: No, I wouldn’t expect you to.
(Elisabeth exits.)
ZACHARIAS (cont’d)
Of course, I’ve dreamt of drawing the lot one sacred day
And stepping forward straight and square and tall–
I pour the holy incense; the plume goes up to God!
I’ve known it, seen it, smelled it, felt it all.
(Underscore continues. Elisabeth returns.)
ELISABETH: Oh, Zacharias, I knew you hadn’t given up hope!
ZACHARIAS: No, not my hope. But my demands, yes.
ELISABETH: What do you mean?
ZACHARIAS
I’ll give God forever, but not to do my will.
Give my plans and give my dreams,
Give up all my lofty schemes.
I’ll give God this moment, and if it’s not to be,
Giving Him forever means
I’ll wait and watch and see.
(Underscore continues. The shepherds ASA and ELI cross on their way to the temple.)
ELISABETH: But Zacharias, it’s not too late for you.
ZACHARIAS: Please be reasonable. Let’s say I’m never chosen to burn the incense–
ELISABETH (in frustration, throwing up her hands): Ah!
ZACHARIAS: Now come here! Don’t you understand? It’s all right with me now! I have not been chosen, and you have not been chosen to have . . . (softening) We have not been chosen to have children. But we still trust in the Lord.
ELISABETH: Trust in the Lord, yes, that He will fulfill His promises—
ZACHARIAS: In His due time.
ELISABETH: In His due time.
ZACHARIAS and ELISABETH
I’ll give God forever and then give one day more!
What are plans and what are dreams?
What is what? Not what it seems!
I’ll give God this moment and let Him lead me on!
ZACHARIAS
I’ll give Him forevermore,
ELISABETH
Until my hours,
ZACHARIAS
Until my days,
ZACHARIAS and ELISABETH
Until my years are gone.
(Underscore continues. Ezra runs in.)
EZRA: They’re waiting, Zacharias.
ZACHARIAS: Yes, Ezra, I’m ready now.
EZRA: Almost ready?
ZACHARIAS: Just go tell them I’m coming!
(Ezra runs out.)
ZACHARIAS: Well, I’m ready, then.
ELISABETH: Very well. I will pray for you. For you, there is still time.
ZACHARIAS: Even if there isn’t, may the Lord bless you . . .
ELISABETH: And keep you . . . as He did Abraham and Sarah, who bore a child in her old age.
ZACHARIAS: Elisabeth . . .
ELISABETH: I know. May the Lord bless you . . .
ZACHARIAS: And keep you . . . quiet!
(They exit.)
Serving in the Church
