[A Priest finishes a day’s work at the temple. Meets up with his trader mates for an evening drink.]
PRIEST: Wow what a day. Did you see that guy try and bring a pig in for sacrifice today!
TRADER: I did! Oh, the Blasphemy!
PRIEST: I know! I couldn’t believe it! Know the rules, pilgrims!
TRADER: The way you jumped on that table and ripped your clothes and demanded they remove the swine at once! Wow, epic show.
PRIEST: Did you like that?
TRADER: Mate, you even scared me for a moment there!
PRIEST: Hey, did you start charging to inspect people’s BYO sacrifices today?
TRADER: Sure did. I tell you, easiest money!
PRIEST: Really? People were happy to pay to get their pink parchment?
TRADER: Sure were. Well, not like they had a choice. They either pay or don’t get their sins forgiven.
PRIEST: And after charging them for the inspection, you still rejected most of their animals - no matter their condition?
TRADER: Of course. We can’t sell them premium livestock if their sacrifice is approved, can we!
PRIEST: Genius. Double offering.
TRADER: Yep! CA-CHING!
PRIEST: What is CA-CHING?
TRADER: It’s the sound of shekels being dropped in a basket!
PRIEST: Our lord will be so happy with the money we are raising for his temple.
TRADER: Minus deductions, of course.
PRIEST: Of course. Wink, wink. Say no more.
TRADER: Any news on a messiah coming?
PRIEST: There’s a couple of hopefuls out there, actually. There’s one with some royal blood, who is quite the worrier. Man can he swing a sword. I suspect he might be the one.
TRADER: Can he use a Bow too? And a spear? Overthrow these Romans once and for all.
PRIEST: They say he’s mastered all weapons of war. And has quite the temper. You don’t want to upset him, they say.
TRADER: Sweet. Well let me know when he’s in town next, I’d love to introduce my sister to him.
PRIEST: Oh, sneaky. Trying to end up in the good books with the messiah, hey.
TRADER: To easy. No one can resist my sister.
PRIEST: Tell me about it.
TRADER: What?
PRIEST: What? Nothing?
TRADER: What do you think will be the best part when the Messiah announces himself?
PRIEST: Other than making the Romans our slaves, the thing I dream about most is the way he’ll enforce the sabbath with authority!
TRADER: Oh, really?
PRIEST: Yeah, there'll be no more “Oh forgive me, Mr priest, I was helping someone rescue a lamb, I had to break the sabbath or the lamb would die:” Please. Rules are rules. Black and white. Once the messiah’s here, no one will break the sabbath, or else…
PRIEST: SHH! Do you hear something?
TRADER: Like what?
PRIEST: It was like the sound of an intergalactic portal opening and closing.
TRADER: You’ve been reading too many SiFi scrolls, man!
[FANFARE STARTS FROM BALCONY, ANGEL WALKS ONTO BALCONY, WITH TRUMPET]
TRADER: AAUUGGHH! There! What is that?
PRIEST: I don’t know. Don’t make eye contact. It may think we’re trying to assert our dominance!
ANGEL: [friendly and excited] “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
PRIEST: I think it’s Elijah?
ANGEL: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
PRIEST: The Messiah? THE MESSIAH’S HERE!!!
ANGEL: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
PRIEST: [confused] Whaaaat???? Where??
ANGEL: Lying in a manger.
TRADER: Like a food trough for animals, kind of manger?
ANGEL: Yes, wrapped in cloths.
TRADER: AAAUUUHHH Good one! Is that you Justinus? Verry funny! You had us there for a moment. Very impressive makeup – you look amazing. And look, he’s shaved!
ANGEL: I am not joking. I am an Angel of the lord, come to tell you the messiah, the Lord has been born.
PRIEST: And is lying in a Manger?
ANGEL: Yes.
PRIEST: [sarcastically] Well, kind angel. Thank you for this message. I tell you what. We’ll pop right over to visit after we count today’s takings.
TRADER: Should we bring anything? Perhaps a crown of hay or something?
PRIEST: Oh wait, wait, we have those tickets, you know.
TRADER: Oh yeah, we’ve got tickets to Phantom of the Synagogue tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
PRIEST: Tell you what. Why don’t you go let those shepherds out in the field know about this. They’re probably free tonight!
ANGEL: No, no. This is good news that will cause great joy for all the people.
PRIEST: Sorry can’t help. But thanks!
TRADER: Don’t fall off your ladder!
[Angel leaves, confused]
PRIEST: Hilarious. The messiah, lying in a food trough. I can’t think of anything less majestic.
TRADER: Imagine him heading into the palace to take control, they’d be like “Oh look, it’s mangy boy. Looking for work, are we? How about you wash my feet – mess…hire. ”
[start to exit]
PRIEST: Mess… hire. [chuckles] Good one.
[Sighs] Can you imagine the symbolism of the messiah in manger – what kind of a God would THAT portray?
Presentation: Castle Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church - December 20, 2025