The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 5

fragrant scent of evergreen upon the chilling air; There's tinsel tawdriness revealed beneath the sunlight's glare; There's Want and Plenty, Greed and Pride--a hundred thousand souls, And, oh, the weary eyes of them, like dull and sullen coals. Who knows the town of Bethlehem, once gleamed beneath the star, Whose wondrous light the shepherds saw watching their flocks afar?
And yet above the city streets, above the noise and whir, There seems to come a fragrant breath of frankincense and myrrh. I saw a woman, bent and wan, and on her face a light The look that Mary might have worn that other Christmas night. And as the little children passed, and one lad turned and smiled, I saw within his wistful eyes the spirit of the Child.
--Caroline Reynolds.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (Exit PROLOGUE at L.)
(Soft chimes are heard. The SHEPHERDS, accompanied by the concealed choir, are heard singing:)
LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on! The night is dark and I am far from home; Lead Thou me on! Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see The distant scene; one step enough for me.
As the SHEPHERDS begin on the second stanza of the hymn, the curtains rise disclosing the same scene as before. SIMEON, TIMOTHY and ISAAC discovered seated in a group at rear center, singing. THOMAS stands by his father.
So long Thy pow'r hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone, And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since, and lost a-while.
SIMEON. Methought I heard a whir of wings on high.
TIMOTHY. I see naught save the snow and starry sky.
ISAAC. We've come a long and mighty step today, From o'er the frosty hills and far away.
THOMAS (pointing over the manger). Look, father, dost thou see that shining star That seems to stand above the town so far? 'Tis like a wondrous blossom on a stem, And see, it ever shines o'er Bethlehem!
TIMOTHY. A brighter star, I'm sure I never saw-- And perfect form, without a speck or flaw.
SIMEON. A stranger star! It never shone before, It standeth still above that stable door.
Enter ANNA and RUTH from rear left. ANNA carries a little lamb.
ANNA (joining the group). Look ye, I've found a little lamb new-born.
TIMOTHY. Poor little beastie! Wrap him well and warm.
SIMEON. An ill night to be born in, frost and snow, Naught but cold skies above, cold earth below. I marvel any little creature should be born On such a night.
ANNA. I found it all forlorn, Crying beside its mother in the storm.
SIMEON (comes down a little to right front). Hark, I thought I heard a sound of mighty wings! Listen! Is it the winter sky that sings?
ISAAC (with the group at rear center). Nay, gran'ther, I heard naught. You're old and gray And weary with the miles you've walked today.
SIMEON. At noon I met a man who tarried in the shade, He led a mule, and riding it a maid-- A maiden with a face I'll ne'er forget, A wondrous face, I seem to see it yet Lit with an inward shining, as if God Had set a lighted lamp within her soul. Many have passed all day, but none like these, And no face have I ever seen like hers.
TIMOTHY. Belike the man and maid were strangers here, And come to Bethlehem at the king's command.
RUTH (comes down to SIMEON and takes his hand). Methinks I met that very man and maid-- A maiden with such wondrous dove-like eyes, I saw them near this place,