The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 7

Good will toward men.
(They follow the others out at rear.)
The curtains fall.
SCENE III: Hymn by the congregation:
HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING.
Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King! Peace on
earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all ye
nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host
proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in
time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one. Veiled in flesh,
the Godhead see; Hail th' incarnate Deity: Pleased, as man with men to
dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hail! The Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail! The Son of
Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in
His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Enter PROLOGUE before the closed curtains.
PROLOGUE.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his
star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and
scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ
should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by
the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least
among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that
shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for
the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again,
that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which
they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over
where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when
they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold,
and frankincense, and myrrh.
The White Christmas.
As the three wise men rode on that first Christmas night to find the
manger-cradled Babe of Bethlehem, they bore gifts on their
saddle-bows. Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And so the spirit
of Christmas giving crept into the world's heart. We bring our gifts to
the children. Rich children, poor children! The children of the high and
the children of the humble! Poor little sick children--and the ragged
children of the slums of our cities. Let us remember them all.

So go ye, all of ye, into the highways and byways, and seek out the
poor and the distressed, the humble and the afflicted, seek out the
ragged children and the outcasts and the aged ones, and in the name of
Him who was born on Christmas day, carry some sunshine into their
hearts! Give unto the poor and the afflicted, and your hearts shall glow
with that inward peace that passeth all understanding.
Then--and then only--will you be able to sing with all the company of
Heaven, Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will toward
men! And this will be your pure white Christmas. (Exit PROLOGUE at
L.)
Soft chimes are heard. The curtains are drawn, disclosing the same
scene as before. DEBORAH sits before her inn, deep in thought.
DEBORAH (reading a scroll).
This is the ancient prophecy. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you
a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his
name Immanuel.
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and
choose the good.
For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good,
the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
Enter GASPAR from behind the inn. He comes down center.
GASPAR. I pray thee, tell me, Lady Bethlehemite, If any wonders you
have seen this night?
DEBORAH (rises). I've seen a wondrous silver shaft of light Come
from a star, and blinded is my sight.
GASPAR. Tell me, for thou art native of this place, What dost thou
know about the King of Grace-- King of