This is an old children’s book written by Aurora Magni that I adapted and updated into a reading. It is about how angel Gabriel needs to deliver a message to Mary, but he doesn’t know which one. So, with the help of a local named Bartholomew, he visits all the eligible Marys to find the right one.
In between the readings, the choir sang “Children, Go Where I Send Thee,” which gave it a feel as if you were listening to a radio program.
CHARACTERS: Narrator, Angel Gabriel, Bartholomew, Mary (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10), Mary 6’s Mother, Mary 7’s Father
Narrator
Little angel Gabriel wandered through the desert of Palestine. He was filled with pride. God had surprised him with a very important job. He – little Gabriel himself! – was to announce to a young girl that she would become the mother of God. All she had to do was say yes.
gabriel
This will be easy. Anyone would accept such a great honor.
Narrator
There was just one tiny problem. He didn’t know how to find her. He should have followed the advice of the older angels who told him to dress up in the proper angel attire; make sure to appear out of nowhere like an angel does; and to smile when delivering the good news.
But Gabriel wanted to go sightseeing first. That was why he didn’t look like an angel. No shining white clothes. No bright lights. He couldn’t sightsee that way. Besides, an angel might scare the young girl. He would present himself politely as a regular boy instead. He would use his wings and halo only at the end if they were necessary. But he still had this one tiny problem. He still didn’t know how to find her. He knew the girl lived in Nazareth. He knew her name was Mary. He’d even been given a map of the town with her house circled in red. But he’d forgotten to take the map, and now he didn’t have time to go back to heaven and get it. The older angels had been puzzled that God had chosen such a little messenger for such a big message.
Gabriel
Maybe they were right. Maybe I am too little.
Narrator
But he liked to be positive! How hard could it be to find a young girl named Mary in a small town like Nazareth? He didn’t know who she was. He didn’t know where she lived. But when he saw her, he’d recognize her immediately. He was sure of it. In the distance he spotted Nazareth, its white houses shining in the warm morning sun.
Gabriel
It’s after eight. This young Mary will already be awake and at work.
Narrator
He hurried into town toward the market square, following the voices of the buyers and sellers and the sounds of their animals. People had traveled from the countryside to show their wares: carpets, baskets, jugs. One woman was buying fish, and another was just arriving, leading her son. The little angel looked around. In the distance, at the village laundry basin, a young girl was busy washing clothes, singing to herself as she worked. Nearby was a tall gangly man, chewing on a small stick and holding a donkey tied on a rope.
Gabriel
Good morning, sir! Are you from this town?
Bartholomew
Yes, I live nearby. Who are you, and where are you from?
Gabriel
I’ve come from far away to find someone. It’s very important for me to find her.
Bartholomew
Ah, a relative! I know everybody. Who are you looking for?
Gabriel
I know she lives in Nazareth. I know her name is Mary. It shouldn’t be hard to find her, right? The town is so small.
Bartholomew
My boy, where have you lived until now? Mary is a very common name. In fact, most of the women in Nazareth are called Mary! Is your Mary tall or short? Young or old? Rich or poor? We have every kind of Mary here. My boss’s daughter is named Mary. Even the girl washing laundry is named Mary! Do you know the name of her household?
Gabriel
Um . . . no . . .
Bartholomew
Well, then, the name of her father?
Gabriel
No, not that either.
Bartholomew
Well, if you’re looking for a relative, of course you at least know what she looks like, more or less. Don’t you?
Narrator
Gabriel was becoming nervous. He didn’t know any of this! He tried to imagine what the mother of God would look like.
Gabriel
She’s beautiful. Yes, she’s probably very beautiful. She’s young, and she’s not married. That’s all I know.
Bartholomew
Okay, you’re looking for a young girl, right? So, we’ll leave out all the older women. And this young girl isn’t married, right? So, we’ll leave out all the married women. That leaves about ten Marys: Mary the daughter of John, Mary the daughter of Mark, Mary the daughter of Matthew, Mary the daughter of Simon, Mary the daughter of Andrew, Mary the daughter of Joseph, and, of course, Mary the daughter of James, my boss.
Gabriel
That’s not too many. Tell me about your boss’s daughter. My Mary will certainly be from a good family.
Bartholomew
Well, this one’s the best! Mary of James is noble and rich. She lives in the great palace over there at the edge of the square. If I didn’t have to sell this donkey, I’d go with you.
Gabriel
Don’t worry, sir. And if she’s the girl I’m looking for, I’ll tell your boss you were a big help.
Narrator
Gabriel raised his eyes toward the great palace.
Gabriel
Surely, the future mother of my Lord lives here! The Son of God will obviously be born in a huge house like this and grow up to be a powerful man.
Narrator
Before he could knock, the door opened as if by magic. He crossed through the palace, admiring the rooms. No one noticed him at all. At last, he stepped out into a luxurious garden in which a beautiful young woman was walking.
Gabriel
Hail, Mary.
Narrator
As soon as she saw him, she became angry.
Mary 1
Beggars aren’t allowed in my house. Go back to your pigsty!
Narrator
Gabriel managed to get far away. Surely, this was not the Mary he was looking for. The mother of God couldn’t possibly have such a hard heart. He walked back to the square to search for the right Mary.
SONG
Children go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I’m gonna send thee one by one
One for the little bitty baby
Lying in a manger.
He was born, born in Bethlehem.
bartholomew
Well, young man, how did it go? Was that the right Mary?
Gabriel
No, she was noble and rich, but she was very unkind. Who should I try next?
Bartholomew
Let me think. Mary of John lives nearby. She’s the daughter of one of the richest merchants in the village. She lives in that big house just past the square. She’s hard-working. At this hour, you should find her at her weaving.
Narrator
When he arrived, once more the door opened all by itself without making a sound. He silently crossed through the house and then came upon a workroom. There, a young girl was busy telling a group of weavers what to do.
Mary 2
No time to lose! Everything has to be ready by tonight! Let me count how many pieces are already finished and folded.
Narrator
She hurried toward the storeroom. The angel stepped in front of her.
Gabriel
Hail, Mary.
Mary 2
What are you doing here? In this house we don’t tolerate laziness. Get back to work or I’ll fire you.
Gabriel
But I’m here to bring you good news.
Mary 2
The only good news you can give me is that you’re leaving! I don’t have time to waste listening to little boys like you. Get out before I throw you out!
Narrator
Without a word, Gabriel left. That was definitely not the Mary he was looking for. The mother of God couldn’t possibly be too busy for other people. Going back to the square, he found Bartholomew again.
song
Children go where I send the
How shall I send thee?
I’m gonna send thee two by two
Two for Paul and Silas
One for the little bitty baby lying in a manger
He was born, born in Bethlehem
Narrator
My friend, I can see from your face that this time did not go well either. Don’t be discouraged. Try Mary of Barnabas. She’s the most beautiful girl in the village. Her parents adore her, and every young man in town has proposed to her.
Gabriel
Where does she live?
Bartholomew
The house is right around the corner. You’ll recognize it immediately. There are always two or three young suitors hanging around, hoping she’ll appear at the window.
Narrator
Gabriel hurried round the corner, slipped past all the young suitors, and entered the house without making a sound. He came to a room in which a beautiful young woman was gazing at herself in the mirror.
Gabriel
Surely, she must be the future mother of my Lord! The Song of God will obviously have the most beautiful mother in the world! Hail, Mary!
Mary 3
Hail, handsome young man.
Gabriel
I am here to bring you good news.
Mary 3
Good news? Have more gifts arrived for me? I would love a beautiful embroidered gown. Yesterday the baker’s daughter had on a red dress. It was exquisite – but it would look so much better on me. My parents have no money left to buy a dress like it, but they’re working overtime, and by the end of the month they’ll . . .
Narrator
The angel said a quick good-bye and left, while the girl still sat staring at herself in the mirror. The mother of God couldn’t possibly be vain.
song
Children go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I’m gonna send thee three by three
Three for the Hebrew children
Two for Paul and Silas
One for the little bitty baby lying in a manger
He was born, born, born in Bethlehem.
bartholomew
My poor boy, still no luck! Try Mary of Judah, the daughter of the carpenter. Her family isn’t rich, but they are good people. You can’t go wrong with this one. The house is the last one on the street down there at the end.
Gabriel
Hail, Mary.
Mary 4
Who are you? What do you want? You’re not going to hurt me, I hope.
Gabriel
Certainly not. I have come to bring you good news.
Mary 4
Good news? It could be bad news. I don’t want to know anything about anything. You frighten me. Mama, help! I’m scared! But she’ll just think I’m getting upset over nothing again! Papa, come quickly! There’s a stranger here who means to hurt me!
Gabriel
That’s not the Mary I’m looking for. I realize I’m a stranger, but the mother of God certainly cannot be so suspicious.
Narrator
Next Bartholomew suggested Mary of Mark.
Bartholomew
Her father comes from Greece, but her mother is Jewish and she is, too. Perhaps this Mary is the right one.
Gabriel
Hail, Mary.
Mary 5
Greetings to you, O foreigner.
Gabriel
I bring you good news. I speak to you in the name of our God.
Mary 5
Which God?
Gabriel
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Mary 5
I don’t know what good news your God can have for me. Zeus is much more powerful, as well as Poseidon, Athena, and the other gods. This is what my father taught me.
Narrator
Disheartened, the angel left.
Song
Children go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I’m gonna send thee one by one
One for the little bitty baby Lying in a manger
He was born, born, born in Bethlehem
bartholomew
Unfortunately, there aren’t many left. Try the house of Matthew the potter. He lives on the outskirts of town, in a house covered in frescos. His only daughter is always home.
Gabriel
The house is truly elegant. And the rooms are neat and clean.
Mary’s Mother
Mary, can you fetch me some water from the well?
Mary 6
In this heat, Mother? I’ll faint.
Mary’s Mother
Then, could you knead the bread for me?
Mary 6
I don’t want to. I’m too tired.
Mary’s Mother
Daughter, you can’t sit around all day doing nothing. If you don’t learn how to take care of yourself now, what will you do when you grow up?
Mary 6
I’m going to marry someone who will have lots of servants. I don’t like to work.
Mary’s Mother
Can you at least pass me the flour?
Mary 6
I don’t even know where it is. I’m going out to the garden to get some air.
Gabriel
A girl this lazy cannot possibly be the mother of my Lord. My friend, Bartholomew, who’s left?
Bartholomew
My dear boy, are you sure the girl still lives in Nazareth? Just last year, three families moved to Jerusalem and among them were at least two Marys.
Gabriel
The girl lives here. I’m sure of it. Help me one more time, please.
Bartholomew
There aren’t many Marys left. The daughter of Simon the cart driver. The daughter of Andrew the carpenter. Oh, and the daughter of Joseph the goat-herder.
Gabriel
Who’s Joseph the goat-herder?
Bartholomew
He’s an old man who raises goats. But he loves all animals. He has a great gift for healing and can cure them as well. Everyone goes to Joseph when an animal is sick.
Gabriel
And he has a daughter named Mary?
Bartholomew
Yes, he and his wife had her in their old age. Their house is on the road to Damascus, just outside the village. You can’t miss it – you’ll hear the goats!
Narrator
With much hope, the angel headed toward the house of Joseph the goat-herder. He was still a ways off when he heard a young woman yelling in the street.
Mary 7
How much did you earn today, Father? Did you cure Isaac’s goat without asking for money again? And Moses’ donkey? How much did you charge for that?
Mary’s Father
My dear Mary. These people are poor. It’s not fair to make the animals suffer because their owners don’t have money. Besides, we have enough. We don’t need every single penny I make.
Mary 7
I don’t care, Father. Go back and demand what they owe you!
Gabriel
This young girl is greedy. She cannot be the one I am looking for.
song
Children, children, go!
narrator
By now, sun was high in the sky and it was becoming quite hot. Bartholomew was sitting under the only tree at the edge of the square, trying to cool off. He saw Gabriel and made a place for him under the branches close to the tree’s trunk.
Bartholomew
My friend, there are only two possibilities left. Mary of Simon and Mary of Andrew. They live next door to each other, ten minutes from here.
Narrator
Gabriel set off again. All of a sudden, he heard two girls arguing in the street. It was both the girls named Mary yelling at each other.
Gabriel stopped dead in his tracks. Neither of these two Marys could be the one he was looking for. A girl with so much hatred in her heart could not possibly be the mother of the Son of God. Completely exhausted, the angel walked back to the square. The market was empty. Even Bartholomew and his donkey had left. Only the girl at the laundry basin remained. But she was gathering up her things to go home, too. The scorching sun had made the little angel incredibly thirsty. He walked over to the basin.
Gabriel
Hail, Mary. I’m very thirsty. Do you have a bowl?
Mary 10
I see that you are tired. Please come back to my house and rest and have a bowl of soup. My father and mother will gladly welcome you.
Gabriel
I can’t. I’m searching for a girl, but I don’t know where she lives. I’ve searched the entire village and still have not found her.
Mary 10
If you tell me who she is, perhaps I can help you.
Gabriel
Her name is Mary.
Mary 10
Your search won’t be easy because that’s such a common name. Even my name is Mary.
Narrator
Gabriel’s heart suddenly told him that this girl was the Mary he had been searching for.
Gabriel
Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
Mary 10
How can this be? Since I am not married?
Gabriel
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.
Mary 10
Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.
Narrator
Then the angel departed from her.
song
Children go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
I’m gonna send thee one by one
One for the little bitty baby lying in a manger
He was born, born, born in Bethlehem.
Children go where I send thee
How shall I send thee?
Children, go to Bethlehem.
Still Waters 