Daisy Bond/Ian Faraday: Stargazers (KS2)

Music For Schools

Christmas musical for 7-11 years
Running time 50 minutes (KS2) approx.

Three wise men (Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar) have spent many years watching the night skies, waiting for the stars to reveal a sign of great things to come. As time goes by they have grown impatient, as well as old and grey! However, one night a brand new star appears, and they begin an eventful journey which ends with the realisation that some things in life are definitely worth waiting for!

Plot summary

For many long years three wise men, Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar, have been watching the night sky, studying the stars and waiting for them to reveal a sign of great importance. (song – Stargazing) Not knowing quite what this sign will be, or when they'll see it, they have become rather impatient – after all, they are not as young as they used to be!

One night, however, far away in a land to the west, a young woman called Mary is visited by an angel. He tells her she will soon bear God a son – a son who will grow to be a saviour! (song – The King Of All Kings) Not longer after, the three wise men suddenly see in the sky the sign they have been waiting for! (song – A Brand New Star) As the heavens come alive with the arrival of a new star, the wise men consult the scriptures and know they must follow it to where a new king will be born. (song – Saddle Up - part 1) Meanwhile, Mary and her husband-to-be, Joseph, must also leave their home town, and travel to Bethlehem to have their names included in a new register. (song – Saddle Up - part 2) Little do they all know that their paths are soon to meet!

As the star leads them westward, the wise men arrive at the palace of the cruel and selfish King Herod. He and his wife are, as usual, throwing a lavish knees-up for their many hangers-on! (song – One Big Party) The king and queen are shocked to hear that these visitors are seeking a new baby king, and worry how His birth might affect their extravagant lifestyle! Herod cunningly asks the wise men to find the baby then tell him of His whereabouts, so he too can ‘pay his respects'. He is, however, secretly planning to kill Him! In a dream the wise men are warned by angels not to return to tell Herod where the baby is, but to go straight home once they have found Him. (song – Keep It A Secret)

Mary and Joseph have now arrived in Bethlehem. Unable to find a proper room, they must make do with a stable in which to settle down for the night, and as the new star comes to rest overhead, Jesus is born. (song – Heaven On Earth) Shepherds soon come to visit, bringing the gift of a lamb and worshipping by the manger in which He is lying. Then, just as He opens His eyes, Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar, guided by the star, arrive to greet the new king! They solemnly present the gifts they have brought, explaining the significance of each one. (song – Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh)

Heeding the words of the angels, the wise men head straight home. Although glad to be back, they reflect on the excitement of their journey following the star, and wonder what further adventures lie ahead. But until then, they relax on their sumptuous cushions and carry on doing what they do best…..stargazing! (song – Stargazing reprise)