Y0K (Y-Zero-K) *************** Steward: Hear ye, Hear ye, the court of King Herod is now in session this the 10th day of December of the year 1 B.C. in the city of Jerusalem. Herod: Steward! What's on the agenda today? Steward: Well, sir, the census is going as planned. Everyone is returning to his own hometown and the officers are taking down the data, but we have just one problem. Herod: What's that? Steward: Well, we're running out of years. Herod: What? What do you mean? Steward: Meaning no disrespect sir, but we are simply running out of years. Last year was the year 2 BC, this year is the year 1 BC--we only have a couple more weeks, and then there won't be any years left! Herod: I don't understand. I demand and explanation! Bring me the court magicians...no wait...bring me the court _Scientists and Engineers_, surely they can tell me the cause of this mess. Steward (introducing the Manuscript Scientist): Oh king, I bring before you the Dean of Manuscript Science from M.I.T., the Mediterranean Institute of Technology. Man. Sci: I know the cause! It's a matter of saving space. All manuscripts must indicate the year. If years increase it takes up more and more space to write it. By counting down, the years take up less and less space. I guess they just expected manuscripts to be replaced by electronic databases by now. Herod: That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, and you call yourself a scientist! From MIT? Off with his head! Bring me the chief mathematician, perhaps he knows the answer. Steward: I present you with the court's chief mathematician! Chief Math Guy: My king, my recently published work in the Imperial Journal of Mathematics shows conclusively that there is only a finite set of numbers. Thus, we were bound to run out eventually. Herod: That's silly--what's your largest number plus 1? Math Guy: ...I hadn't thought of that! Herod: Off with his head! Maybe the astronomers can help, that's how we started keeping time to begin with Steward: Oh king, I present you with the mostly highly regarded astronomer in the land. Convoluted Astronomer: My king, on the event of the situation that the yearly progression of years progresses yearly according to the 5th cycle of the big dipper into the Alpha-Centari solar system when the medium sized dipper enters the first phase of Mars... Herod: Of with his head! Debbie with sign: TWO YEARS LATER Herod: Two years of interviewing the wisest people in the land and no one can explain why we have run out of years. Revived Man. Sci: Oh king... Herod: I thought I killed you, oh never mind, I lose track. What do you want? Man. Sci.: Perhaps this explains the mystery. Our texts predict the coming of the Messiah, and dramatic changes in government. Listen to this from the Scroll of Isaiah: Isaiah 9.6: "For unto us a child is born, for unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders, and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Steward (interrupting): ...Oh King, wise men have just arrived from the East. They asked to see you right away! Herod: Well bring them in. Maybe they have a gift for me. Entrance of the wise persons Wise woman: Where is the one born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. (Matt 2:2) Man. Sci: ...That's exactly what I was talking about, perhaps my recent readings in the scroll of Micah can shed some light and help determine where he is: Micah 5:6 "But you , Bethlehem, in the land of Judah are by no means the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel." Wise persons: _Bethlehem_, that's it, let's go! Wise people begin to exit. Herod: Wait, when exactly did you see this star appear? Wise woman: About two years ago. Herod: If you find this king, let me know so I can come and worship him too. Wise people agree and exit. Herod: Two years ago--that's when we started running out of years! So perhaps this is the event we've been counting down to, but if this Messiah is to govern, what can I do to preserve my throne? Man. Sci.: Wait, there's more about this Messiah: Isaiah 53:4-5: "Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him. But he was pierced for our transgressions, and he was crushed for our iniquities." Herod: That settles it--I must insure that this Messiah only fulfills the second of these prophecies. I know exactly how to do it--we must kill all the boys two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. Steward-- see to it! Narrator: But Herod could not interfere with God's plan. After being warned by God, Jesus, the Messiah, and his family escaped to Egypt. They then returned to Israel, and Jesus grew up to minister and eventually to die as the prophets had predicted, as a sacrifice for everyone's sin. But this was not the end, for he arose from the dead, and will return to reign as promised. THE END ******************************************************** Featuring the the following creators and performers from the (awesomely cool) Ashdown Bible Study: Aaron Kirtley as King Herod Steve Mascaro as the Steward Elliot Mason as the Manuscript Scientist Todd Hastings as the Chief Mathematician / Wise man Mike Neely as the Convoluted Astronomer / Wise man Debbie Lightly as the Narrator/ Sign holder / Wise woman *********************************************************