The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 6

all tired and worn, Trudging about the town, seeking an inn.
SIMEON. And did they find one?
RUTH. Nay, not so! For every inn was crowded to its doors. Hard by Deborah's inn there is a little barn, All full of cattle, oxen, cooing doves-- I showed it to them, and they went therein.
THOMAS (standing at rear L. with ANNA). Mother, that star! That wondrous, wondrous light,
(Points up.)
It turns the night to day, it shines so bright I am afraid! It cannot be that any star, Only a star, can give so great a light. It frightens me.
ANNA. All things are strange tonight. The very sheep are restless in their fold, They watch the star and do not mind the cold.
SIMEON (puts hand to right ear, bends toward right and listens). Again I heard a singing in the sky!
TIMOTHY. You heard the tinkling bell of some stray sheep, The night grows late, come let us all to sleep.
SIMEON. Yea, all ye lie down and take your rest, I'll keep the watch alone, this night is blest.
(The others recline at the rear.)
ANNA (comes to SIMEON). Here, take the little sheep and keep it warm.
(Lies down.)
SIMEON. Poor little new-born beast, I'll guard from harm. Again I marvel that you should be born On such a night, poor little lamb forlorn.
(SIMEON walks toward the manger with the sheep in his arms. The others sleep.)
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
(Soft Music.)
Hark! There's music in the wind! And that strange light There in the east, it brightens all the night! I seem to hear again the whir of wings, Awake, awake! It is an angel sings!
(He arouses the others. They listen wonderingly, standing or reclining.)
VOICE (an unseen soprano chants softly).
Glory to God in the highest! Fear not! For behold I bring you glad tidings Of great joy. For unto you is born this day In the city of David, a Saviour Which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be the sign unto you: Ye shall find the heavenly Babe Wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men!
TIMOTHY. 'Twas a fine voice, even as ever I heard.
ANNA. The hills, as with lightning, shone at his word.
SIMEON. He spoke of a Babe here in Bethlehem. That betokens yon star! Full glad would I be, Might I kneel on my knee, Some word to say to that Child.
TIMOTHY. See! In the east there breaks the day.
ANNA. Let us tarry no longer; away, then, away!
(ANNA goes out at rear, behind the stable, with TIMOTHY, RUTH and THOMAS.)
ISAAC. Come, gran'ther, let us go and see this thing!
SIMEON. But first get gifts to take the new-born King! Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, 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