The White Christmas and other Merry Christmas Plays — Story, Setting & Ideas

Never was seen the like in Bethlehem.

(_Laughter and noise at R._)

My guests are merry, hear their jovial din!

I pity you, there's no room at the inn.

(_Exits into the inn._)

MARY. Our last hope gone! Now, what shall we do? My strength is leaving!

JOSEPH. Would I could succor you. I'll wrap thee warm. Now rest thee here a while. We've traveled far, full many a weary mile.

_Enter_ RUTH _from rear L., hurrying along._

JOSEPH. Maiden, I fain would stop thee in thy flight-- Can'st tell where we could lodge this winter night?

RUTH. That inn is crowded. There's one upon the hill.

JOSEPH. I've tried them all, my wife is very ill.

RUTH. That little stable there upon the loe,

(_Points to L front._)

'Tis snug and warm. 'Twill shield thee from the snow.

MARY (_rises_). God's blessing on thy little head, sweet child! Come, Joseph, for the wind now waxes wild.

(JOSEPH _leads her to exit L., then turns and looks off R._)

O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth

(_Turns toward manger._)

The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.

(RUTH _stands at rear C., watching him._)

_The curtains slowly fall._

Scene II: _Hymn by the congregation._

WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, All seated on the ground. The angel of the Lord came down, And glory shone around, And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he,--for mighty dread Had seized their troubled mind, "Glad tidings of great joy I bring, To you and all mankind, To you and all mankind."

"To you in David's town this day, Is born of David's line, The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord, And this shall be the sign, And this shall be the sign."

"The heav'nly babe you there shall find To human view displayed, All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid, And in a manger laid."

Thus spake the seraph--and forthwith Appeared a shining throng Of angels, praising God, who thus Addressed their joyful song, Addressed their joyful song:--

"All glory be to God on high, And to the earth be peace; Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men, Begin and never cease, Begin and never cease."

_The_ PROLOGUE _appears before the curtains and speaks._

There's scarlet holly on the streets, and silver mistletoe; The surging, jeweled, ragged crowds forever come and go. And here a silken woman laughs, and there a beggar asks-- And, oh, the faces, tense of lip, like mad and mocking masks. Who thinks of Bethlehem today, and one lone winter night? Who knows that in a manger-bed there breathed a Child of Light?

There's 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.