The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays | Page 7

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 the Jews?
DEBORAH. Aye, in Jerusalem He dwells, and not in Bethlehem. He sits upon his mighty judgment throne, Cruel and stern, his heart a living stone.
GASPAR. I mean a new-born King, of love and peace; His is the star--His reign shall never cease.
DEBORAH. All things tonight seem passing strange to me, I have just read an ancient prophecy That this, our Bethlehem, King David's town, Shall be the birthplace, e'er of great renown, Of one called Councillor of King David's line Whose coming is foretold in words divine. And now you come with words of mystery!
(Muses.)
Why should thy questions, which are dark to me, Cause me to think of Him?
GASPAR. The star! The star! No more it moves about the heavens afar, It standeth still. O, hostess, kneel and pray, For Jesus Christ, the Lord, is born today!
(Hurries out right.)
DEBORAH. His words are fraught with mystery; I'll within And seek protection in my humble inn.
(Exits right front.)
After a short pause, MELCHOIR, GASPAR and BALTASAR enter from rear right.
MELCHOIR.
Three kings came riding from far away, Melchoir, Gaspar and Baltasar; Three wise men out of the east were they, And they traveled by night and they slept by day, For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.
BALTASAR.
The star was so beautiful, large and clear, That all other stars of the sky Became a white mist in the atmosphere; And by this they knew that the coming was near Of the Prince foretold in prophecy.
GASPAR.
Of the child that is born, O Baltasar, I begged a woman to tell us the news; I said in the