Headlines Ambassadors from the East visit Jerusalem. Census causes travel chaos throughout the region. Astronomers discover a new star. Shepherds report visions in the fields.
Anchor But first: The three ambassadors from the East have now reached Jerusalem. Our foreign affairs correspondent, (Use Name of Court Rep.) is outside the palace.
Court Rep. The ambassadors left the palace a short time ago. The purpose of their visit is still unclear but it seems they were looking for a new King. Obviously the reign of Herod is well established and he is not currently expecting a successor but word from the palace is that the ambassadors will be continuing their search in Bethlehem.
Anchor Is there any word from the palace on Herod's reaction to the visit?
Court Rep. I understand that Herod has requested that he should be kept informed if the new King is found, palace officials say that this is so he can pay homage, but politically a new king in the region would destabilise the current situation and that would be a threat to King Herod himself.
Anchor How would you expect Rome to react to a new king?
Court Rep. The occupation has been, at best, uneasy until now, but the Romans have tolerated Herod as King. We know that the king the ambassadors are looking for does not come from Rome and Caesar is unlikely to accept changes that are not directly imposed by the empire, and if such changes take place they are likely to be seen as a sign of rebellion and crushed.
Anchor Thank you, Court Rep.. And Court Rep. will be bringing us up to date with further developments of the ambassadors visit later in the programme.
The census is causing chaos in many towns and cities across the region with families returning to their hometowns. Travel organisations have issued the following advice.
Traffic Rep. Traffic is heavy on most major routes. Only set out if your journey is absolutely essential. Allow plenty of extra time and carry everything you need for your journey with you. Also when you arrive at your destination be prepared to have to look around for accommodation, most hotels and guesthouses are filling up quickly.
Anchor There have been reports of a bright new star in the sky. Science Cor, our science correspondent has joined me in the studio. Science Cor., can you tell us more about these reports?
Science Cor. Good morning. Yes, astronomers first discovered the new bright object several days ago.
Anchor Can you tell us what it is?
Science Cor. Well, there are several possible causes of apparent new stars. One is a very faint star reaching the end of its life and exploding. The most common is a comet, which is an icy ball from space that has come near enough to Earth for us to see it.
Anchor So this is likely to be a comet?
Science Cor. At present that is difficult to judge. We would need much more sophisticated equipment than is currently available to definitely say.
Anchor Are there any other possible causes?
Science Cor. Well, they say that a bright star like this one appears when a king is born, but we don't know of any royal households that are expecting a birth at this moment in time. Some people even say it may be connected with the king the ambassadors are seeking.
Anchor We have also received reports of shepherds seeing lights in the sky, have you any possible explanation for that?
Science Cor. Again there are several possibilities for broad areas of light in the sky. Aurora are common in the north of the Empire but not generally known here. Fog or smoke reflecting firelight may also give glowing shapes, but you would expect shepherds to be aware of this. I would need to know more before I could comment fully.
Anchor Thank you. (Turns) And for further information on those visions we are going over to our outside broadcast unit to a hillside just outside Bethlehem where O.B. Rep is with the shepherds now.
O.B. Rep Excuse me Sir, are you with the group of shepherds who saw the vision?
Shepherd 1 Yes, I was, but that was no vision, it was an angel from God come to give us great news. We must hurry to Bethlehem.
O.B. Rep Can you tell me what the angel said to you?
Shepherd 2 Yes. He said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger."
Shepherd 1 And then lots of angels came and sang;
Both "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."
O.B. Rep So where are you going now?
Shepherd 1 We must hurry to Bethlehem to greet our Saviour as the angels said. You must come too.
O.B. Rep So it seems that the shepherds have been given a message. Our outside broadcasting unit will go with them to Bethlehem, but for the moment this is O.B. Rep handing you back to Anchor in the studio.
Anchor And after the break we will head to Bethlehem where all our news stories tonight seem to lead.
Music group play "Silent Night"
Court Rep. I have just managed to get to Bethlehem. I'm told the ambassadors have not yet arrived but there seems to be a lot of activity at this small inn behind me where, I am told, a baby was born during the night, not in the inn, but in the stable behind as there was no room left inside. And we have been invited in to join the family at this special time. (Move around crib) Joseph, Mary, thank you for letting us be here with you at this time. What have you called the baby?
Joseph (Smiles at Mary) I was told in a dream to call him Jesus, so that is His name.
Court Rep. Some shepherds have just arrived, they say they were sent here by an angel.
Mary Let them in, they are very welcome.
Shepherds arrive and pay homage. O.B. Rep also pays homage and joins Court Rep..
O.B. Rep (To camera) This is no ordinary baby, this is the baby the angels told the shepherds about, the Saviour, Christ the Lord.
Ambassadors and angels arrive.
Court Rep. And here come the ambassadors. (Using the type of voice presenters use when doing a big formal church service) They, too, have come to worship this baby and as they present the gifts from their countries we can see the joy on their faces as they welcome this baby who is truly a King.
Anchor This brings our programme to a close, a programme in which all events lead us to one special place and a new beginning for us all.
All sing "It was on a starry night."