The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 3

that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing
was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to
be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife....
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Exit PROLOGUE.)
(Soft chimes. As these chimes die away in the distance a concealed
choir is heard singing.)

O COME, COME, AWAY.
O come, come away From labor now reposing, Let busy care a while
forbear; O come, come away.
(The front curtains are drawn, showing a winter street in Bethlehem.
No one appears on the stage, but the choir continues singing outside at
right front.)
Come, come, our social joys renew, And thus where trust and
friendship grew, Let true hearts welcome you, O come, come away.
RACHEL and PRISCILLA enter from the inn at right front, arm in
arm. They go to the center, then to the rear of the stage, turn and face
the inn, pause a moment or two, listening to the choir, and then go out
at rear left. The choir continues:
From toils and the cares On which the day is closing, The hour of eve
brings sweet reprieve, O come, come away. O come where love will
smile on thee, And round its hearth will gladness be, And time fly
merrily, O come, come away.
While the choir is singing the last three lines of the song, SIMEON and
ISAAC enter from rear left, leaning on their shepherd's crooks. They
pause at rear center and listen to the singing. When the song is finished
the organ continues the same music softly.
SIMEON. Make haste, my son, the hour is waxing late, The night is
cold, methinks our sheep await.
ISAAC. Nay gran'ther, I would liefer tarry here. The town is gay, the
inns are full of cheer.
SIMEON (points to rear right). But there our duty lies, the wind grows
cold! Come, let's away and put the sheep in fold.
(Starts off right.)
ISAAC. Nay, Simeon, wait! What means this crowd of men And

women here in peaceful Bethlehem?
SIMEON (comes to him). Herod the King hath issued a decree That
each and all his subjects taxèd be; And every one who in this town saw
light Must here return and register tonight. From all Judea, aye, from th'
distant land, Each Bethlehemite must come at his command.
ISAAC (comes to the doorway of the inn and peers in). The town is full
of people, great and small, Each inn is crowded to its very wall.
SIMEON (comes down center and takes his arm). But come, we're
wasting time, 'tis very late. Make haste, my son, I know the flocks
await!
ISAAC. Thou speakest true, though I would rather stay, Our duty calls,
so to the hills, away!
(They go out at rear right.)
The concealed choir repeats the first stanza of the song softly. After a
slight pause DEBORAH enters from the inn.
DEBORAH (coming down to right front). My inn is crowded to the
doors. The heat Is stifling, but out here the air is sweet.
(Looks upward.)
The bright stars twinkle with mysterious light, Methinks there's
something strange about the night.
She sits on the bench in front of the inn. TIMOTHY enters from rear
left. DEBORAH continues her soliloquy.
The air is still, the night is very cold, The shepherds seek the hills to
watch the fold.
(Sees him.)
(TIMOTHY goes out at rear R.)

DEBORAH. Some strange, unearthly voice seems calling me,
Methinks this night portends great things to be.
Enter RACHEL and PRISCILLA from rear right, then come down
center and address the hostess.
RACHEL. Hail, hostess of the inn, my cousin here Hath lodgings at
your inn. We'd seek its cheer.
DEBORAH (rises). Enter within. My guests tonight are gay And fain
would turn this winter's night to day.
RACHEL and PRISCILLA enter the inn, followed by DEBORAH. The
organ music continues softly. After a slight pause enter ANNA from
rear left. She leads RUTH and THOMAS by the hand.
THOMAS (at rear center). Oh, mother, hark! There's music in the inn!
ANNA. 'Tis not for us--their noise and merry din.
RUTH. Our little town is crowded, joyous, gay.
THOMAS. So many travelers came this way today.
RUTH. The night is chill and cold, I much do fear