The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 8

east we had seen His star, And had ridden fast and had ridden far To find and worship the King of the Jews.
--Adapted from Longfellow.
MELCHOIR. Brothers, our quest is ended; see the star Is standing still over this lowly hut.
BALTASAR. Methinks it is a stable. Knock and see!
GASPAR (knocks on the door of the manger). What ho, within!
JOSEPH enters from the L. rear.
JOSEPH. Sirs, whom seek ye?
MELCHOIR. We have journeyed from afar Led by the shining of yon splendid star. We are Gaspar, Melchoir and Baltasar.
BALTASAR. We seek a new-born King, Gold, frankincense to him we bring. And many a kingly offering.
JOSEPH draws back the curtain and reveals the interior of the manger. MARY is seen bending over the crib. The SHEPHERDS are kneeling in the background. Very soft music heard in the distance, with faintly chiming bells at intervals.
GASPAR. Behold, the child is clothed in light!
MELCHOIR. Our journey ends, passed is the night.
BALTASAR. Now let us make no more delay, But worship Him right worthily.
(They enter the manger and kneel.)
SIMEON. Hail, hail, dear child Of a maiden meek and mild. See, he merries! See, he smiles, my sweeting, I give thee greeting! Have a bob of cherries.
(Places a spray of cherries on the crib.)
TIMOTHY. Hail, little One we've sought, See, a bird I've brought, See its feathers gay. Hail, little One adored, Hail, blessed King and Lord, Star of the day!
(Places a bird on the crib.)
ISAAC. Hail, little One, so dear, My heart is full of cheer, A little ball I bring, Reach forth thy fingers gay, And take the ball and play, My blessed King.
(Places a ball on the crib.)
Enter all others from the Inn. They kneel outside the manger.
ALL (sing, with concealed choir).
CHRISTMAS CAROL.
(See page 169)
Christ was born on Christmas day, Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, Light and life and joy is He-- The Babe, the Son, The Holy One Of Mary.
He is born to set us free; He is born our Lord to be; Carol, Christians, joyfully; The God, the Lord, By all adored Forever.
Let the bright red berries glow, Everywhere in goodly show, Life and light and joy is He, The Babe, the Son, The Holy One Of Mary.
Christian men, rejoice and sing; 'Tis the birthday of our King, Carol, Christians, joyfully; The God, the Lord, By all adored Forever.
THE THREE KINGS. Hail, King of Kings!
GASPAR. I bring Thee a crown, O King of Kings, And here a scepter full of gems, For Thou shalt rule the hearts of men.
(Places crown and scepter on crib.)
MELCHOIR. For Thee I bring sweet frankincense!
(He swings a smoking censor.)
BALTASAR. And I bring myrrh to offer Thee!
(Places casket on the crib.)
GASPAR. The greatest gift is yet ungiven, The gift that cometh straight from Heaven. O, Heavenly King, Heart's love we bring.
MELCHOIR. Not gold nor gems from land or sea Is worth the love we offer Thee.
BALTASAR. And lowly folk who have no gold, Nor gift to offer that is meet, May bring the dearest thing of all-- A loving heart and service sweet.
(All join in singing "Joy to the World.")
Curtain falls.
THE WHITE CHRISTMAS.
WHAT IT MEANS.
How to make a pleasant, helpful Christmas for the Sunday School is an annual problem. A tree with gifts, Santa Claus coming down the chimney, a treat of candy and nuts--these and many other schemes have been tried with a greater or less degree of success. But the criticism is often made that the true significance of the celebration of the birth of Christ is lost in the mere idea of bartering Christmas presents. "She didn't give me anything last year, so I'm not going to give her anything this year."
One wise superintendent determined to teach his Sunday School pupils the precious lesson of the beauty of giving. He called his teachers together a few weeks before Christmas and proposed to eliminate entirely the idea of "getting something," and in its stead to try to teach something of the true spirit of Christmas, the blessedness of giving.
The children were told that while at home they would receive all the usual presents, of course they would not get anything whatever from the Sunday School. The story of Jesus and how He gave His life, and how He liked best the gifts that cost us something, love, thought, foresight, charity, money--was told to the children and they were asked to save their pennies, instead of spending them for candy and nuts, to brighten the Christmas Day for God's poor and unfortunate.
It was put to a vote and every little hand was raised, although it may be confessed that a few went up a little reluctantly.
Teachers and young ladies met a few evenings later and made little stockings out of cheap cambric, with a cord put into the top of each in such a manner that it could