The Story of Christmas in Poem

Based on a play originally produced by the Quadrangle Club of the University of Missouri,
Christmas Eve, 1909.

Cast
Mary, The Maiden Mother
Joseph, Of the House of David
Simeon, An Old Shepherd
Timothy, A Shepherd, the Husband of Anna
Isaac, A Young Shepherd
Anna ,The Wife of Timothy, the Shepherd
Thomas, Her Little Son
Ruth, Her Little Daughter
Deborah, Hostess of an Inn at Bethlehem
Rachel, A Maiden of Bethlehem
Priscilla, Her Cousin
Nebo, A Wise Man from the East
Jaspar, A Wise Man from the East
Rabmag, A Wise Man from the East
Nergal, A Wise Man from the East
Child Jesus
Several Narrators
Angels

Processional Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful

Scene I

Narrator:
Hark, the glad sound! the Saviour comes,
The Saviour promised long;
Let every heart prepare a throne,
And every voice a song.

He comes, the prisoners to release,

In Satan’s bondage held;
The gates of brass before Him burst,
The iron fetters yield.

He comes, the broken heart to bind,

The bleeding soul to cure;
And with the treasures of His grace
To bless the humble poor.

His silver trumpets publish loud

The jub’lee of the Lord

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 Our debts are all remitted now
Our heritage restored.

Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,

Thy welcome shall proclaim;
And heav’n’s eternal arches ring
With Thy belovèd Name.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus,
that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was
governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of
David. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (choir vs. 1 & 4; solos/small group vs. 3)

(Enter Simeon, Isaac.)

Simeon:
Make haste, grandson, the hour is late,
The night is cold, our sheep await.

Isaac:
Oh, Grandfather, can we stay here?
The town is bright; the inns full of cheer.

Simeon: (pointing to hillside)

But there our duty lies; the wind grows cold!
Come, let’s go and put the sheep in the fold.

Isaac:
Grandfather, wait! What’s this crowd of men
And women here in Bethlehem?

Simeon:
Herod the King has issued a decree
That all his subjects taxed must be;
And all who in this town saw light
Must here return and register tonight.
From all Judea, even, from a distant land,

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 Each must come at Herod’s command.

Isaac:
The town is full of people, great and small,
Each inn is crowded to its very wall.

Simeon:
But come, we’re wasting time; it’s very late.
Make haste, please, I know the flocks await!

Isaac:
I know you’re right, though I would rather stay,
Our duty calls, so to the hills, away!

(Exit Simeon, Isaac.)

Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem (choir vs. 1; solo/small group vs. 3 & 4; repeat vs. 1)

Scene 2

(Enter Deborah, inside the inn.)

Deborah:
My inn is crowded; there’s too much heat.
I’m going outside where the air is sweet.
(Goes outside; looks upward.)
The bright stars twinkle with mysterious light,
It seems there’s something different about tonight.

(She sits on the bench in front of the inn.)

The air is still, the night is very cold,

The shepherds seek the hills to watch the fold.

(Enter Rachel and Priscilla.)

Rachel:
Hail, hostess, my cousin here
Is lodging at your inn. We seek its cheer.

Deborah: (rises)
Enter in. My guests are having fun
I think the party’s just begun.

(Rachel and Priscilla enter the inn, followed by Deborah.)

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(Enter Anna. She leads Ruth and Thomas by the hand.)

Thomas:
Oh, mother, listen! There's music in the inn!

Anna:
It’s not for us—their noise and merry din.

Ruth:
Our little town is crowded today.

Thomas:
So many travelers came this way.

Ruth:
The night is chill; the air is cold,
I’m like a little sheep shivering in the fold.

Anna:
Too cold it is for you; I speak the truth,
Go back and get your cloak, little Ruth.
We’ll wait for you upon the hill.
Please go fast—don’t sit still!

Ruth:
I’ll fly, dear mother, like an arrow home.

(Exit Ruth.)

Anna:
We must not tarry. Come, Thomas, come!

(Exit Anna, Thomas.)

Scene 3

(Enter Joseph, walking with a staff and supporting Mary.)

Mary:
Here is a place, now I must rest awhile!
We have traveled for many a weary mile.
We’ve trudged along since the day began.

Joseph:
It’s true, and I’m a bone-tired man!
My joints are stiff; my muscles are sore

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 I think I’m frozen to the core!
Here’s my cloak to keep warm within,
And you wait here while I search for an inn.

(He wraps his cloak around her exits.)

Song: My Soul Will Magnify the Lord (solo by Mary)

(Enter Joseph.)

Joseph:
So long I’ve trudged the street in fruitless quest,
Here is an inn, perhaps at last we’ll rest. (Knocks on door.)

(Enter Deborah from the inn.)

Mary:
Joseph, I’m faint; I need to sit.
I must rest here a little bit. (Deborah appears at door.)

(Mary sits in front of the inn.)

Joseph:
It’s all right, Mary, the hostess is here. (To Deborah)
I hope you have room; I’m starting to fear.

Deborah:
My inn is crowded to the very wall,
Soldiers and scribes, the rich, the great, the small!

Joseph:
Do you have room for us today?
Please, oh, please don’t send us away!

Deborah:
My heart is sad and it is not my will…
Perhaps some other inn will fit the bill.

Joseph:
Alas, the other inns are all the same!
I guess King Herod is to blame.
Just a tiny space will do,
We don’t have to have a view.

Deborah:
I’m sorry to have to close the door,

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 I’ve never seen it like this before.
My guests are merry, hear all that noise?
I better go and check on the boys.

(Deborah shuts door and goes inside.)

Mary:
Our last hope gone! Now, what shall we do?
We seem to be in quite a stew.

Joseph:
God will supply our need, I’m sure.
Whatever the problem, He has the cure.

Mary:
Joseph, look at those girls, there.
Perhaps they can tell us where.

(Enter Ruth& Naomi hurrying along.)

Joseph:
Young ladies, please come into my sight
Can you tell where to lodge this night?

Ruth:
That inn is crowded. There’s one upon the hill. (pointing)

Naomi:
The one over yonder might be better still. (pointing)

Joseph:
I've tried them all—there is no place…
Sleeping in the street is what we face.

Ruth:
There’s a little stable in the back,
You could go there to unpack.
It’s snug and warm and clean and dry.
I think that’s where you should try

Mary:
God’s blessing on your head, sweet child!
Your good news makes my heart unriled.

(Exit Mary, Joseph, Ruth, Naomi)

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Song: Away in a Manger (#157 all verses)

Scene 4

Narrator:
The Nativity (Ben Johnson)
I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light;
The angels so did sound it,
And like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light, and were afraid,
Yet searched, and true they found it.

The Son of God, th’eternal King,

That did us all salvation bring,
And freed the soul from danger;
He Whom the whole world could not take,
The Word, which Heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger.

The Father’s wisdom willed it so,

The Son’s obedience knew no “No,”
Both wills were in one stature;
And as that wisdom had decreed,
The Word was now made Flesh indeed,
And took on Him our nature.

What comfort by Him do we win?

Who made Himself the Prince of sin,
To make us heirs of glory?
To see this Babe, all innocence,
A Martyr born in our defense,
Can man forget this story?

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.

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 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.

(Enter Simeon, Timothy, Isaac, Thomas, Sheep.)

Simeon:
I thought I heard a sound in the sky.

Timothy:
I see nothing but stars on high.

Isaac:
We’ve worked long and hard throughout the day,
I’d like to stop and rest and play.

Thomas:
Look, father, do you see that light like a star
That seems to stand above the town so far?

Timothy:
The sky does seem quite light tonight
It seems to be an unearthly bright.

(Enter Anna and Ruth. Anna carries a little lamb.)

Anna:
Look, I've found a lamb new-born.

Timothy:
Poor little thing! Wrap him well and keep him warm.

Simeon:
An ill night to be born in; the wind does blow,
Only cold skies above and cold earth below.
I marvel any creature should be born
On such a night—my heart is torn.

Anna:
I found it all alone, forlorn,
Crying beside its mother like a little horn.

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Simeon:
I thought I heard a sound of mighty things.
Listen! Is it the winter sky that sings?

Isaac:
No, my gramps, I heard not a thing
It’s silly for the sky to sing.
You’re old and tired and weak and gray
And weary with the miles you’ve walked today.

Simeon:
At noon I met a man who rested in the shade,
He led a mule, and riding it a maid—
A lady with a face I’ll never forget,
A wonderful face, I seem to see it yet
Lit with inward shining, and yet with pain;
Her soul has something marvelous to gain.
I’ve seen many faces, but non like hers,
It causes something in my soul to stir.

Timothy:
I’m sure that they were strangers here,
Traveled for the taxes; that’s quite clear.

Ruth:
I think that I have met them, too,
So many people, not just a few.

Naomi:
I saw them going all around town
Looking for an inn for her to lie down.

Simeon:
And did they find one? Tell me, “Yes!”

Naomi:
They couldn’t, though they did their best.

Ruth:
Every inn was crowded to its doors.
There wasn’t even room on the floors.
But we showed them the stable dry and warm
I’m sure they will be safe from harm.

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Thomas:
Mother, the sky! Look at the light,
It turns night to day, it shines so bright.
I am afraid! What can it be?
What is up there that frightens me?

Anna:
I do not know what is up there,
But trust the Lord; we’re in His care.
Even the sheep are restless in their fold,
They watch the sky and do not mind the cold.

Simeon:
I’m sure I heard a sound in the sky!
I know I did—don’t ask me why.

Timothy:
You heard the bell of some stray sheep.
The night is late, let’s get some sleep.

Simeon:
Yes, you lie down and take your rest,
I’ll watch alone, this night is blest.

Anna:
Here, take the little sheep and keep it warm.

(Anna, Thomas, Timothy, Ruth, Naomi, Isaac lie down with sheep)

Simeon:
Poor little thing, I’ll, keep you from harm.
Again I marvel that you should be born
On such a night, poor little lamb forlorn.

(Soft Music.)

Listen! There’s music in the wind! And that strange light

There in the east, it brightens all the night!
I wonder what it brings?
Wake up! I think it is an angel that sings!

(Enter Angels; sleeping shepherds & sheep wake up)

Angels:
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.

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 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.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!

(Exit Angels.)

Timothy:
Twas a fine voice, even as ever I heard.

Anna:
The hills, as with lightning, seemed to shine at their word.

Simeon:
They spoke of Saviour, born this night,
Come to give the world true light.

Timothy:
Come, let us go and see this thing
Of which the skies and heavens sing.

Anna:
Let us wait no longer; away, then, away!
We must all rejoice today.

(Exit Anna, Timothy, Simeon, Isaac,Thomas, Timothy Ruth, Naomi, Sheep)

Song: How Great Our Joy! (choir vs. 1 & 4; solo/small group vs. 2 & 3)

Scene 5

Narrator:
Saw you never, in the twilight, when the sun had left the skies,
Up in heaven the clear stars shining through the gloom, like silver eyes?
So of old the wise men, watching, saw a little stranger star,
And they knew the King was given, and they followed it from afar.

Heard you never of the story how they crossed the desert wild,
Journeyed on by plain and mountain, till they found the holy Child?
How they opened all their treasure, kneeling to that small, young King;
Gave the gold and fragrant incense, gave the myrrh in offering?

Know ye not that lowly Jesus was the bright and morning Star?
He Who came to light the Gentiles, and the darkened isles afar?

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 And we, too, may seek His cradle; there our hearts’ best treasures bring;
Love, and faith, and true devotion for our Savior, God and King.

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 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.

Song: As With Gladness Men of Old (choir vs. 1 & 4; solo/small group vs. 2 & 3)

(Enter Deborah seated in front of her inn reading a scroll. Ruth & Naomi are seated on the
ground in front of her.)

Deborah:
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.

Ruth:
That’s about Jesus, isn’t that right?

Naomi:
That’s what we learned that far away night.

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Deborah:
Yes, Mary is the virgin and Jesus the Son,
If you trust in Him, a new life’s begun.
It’s hard to believe that God had a plan
Even before the fall of man
To make a way to heaven to go
And cleanse our sins as white as snow.

(Enter wise men.)

Naomi:
Look at the strangers! I wonder what they need.

Ruth:
Perhaps they need some animal feed.

Deborah:
Good day, noble sirs, why are you here?
My inn’s not good enough for you, I fear.

Jaspar:
Good lady, can you tell us please
Where we can go and on our knees
Worship the King that has been sent
From out of heaven to an earthly tent?

Deborah:
Do you seek Herod, the earthly King?
Or do you look for another thing?

Rabmag:
Herod sits upon his throne,
Cruel and stern, his heart a stone.

Nebo:
We mean a heavenly king of love and peace;
His is that star—His reign shall never cease.

Deborah:
Oh, noble sirs, we all know
That in this town about two years ago
Was born a baby, but yet a king,
And in the sky the angels did sing.

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Nergal:
Where is this holy child just now?
Show us the way…we don’t care how.

Deborah:
If you look to the sky you can find your way,
You’ve come too far to be led astray.

Jaspar:
Brothers, our search has ended; the star is standing still,
Hovering over a tiny house up upon the hill.

Nebo:
Let us go there and not linger here.

Rabmag:
Good day, kind lady, and good cheer.

(Wise Men cross to Mary & Joseph’s house entrance.)

Nergal:
I’ll be brave and knock and see
If anyone will speak to me.

Joseph:
How may I help you?
What can I do?

Nergal:
We have journeyed from afar,
Led by the shining of that star.

Rabmag:
We seek to worship the King of Kings,

Nebo:
And offer Him tokens of earthly things.

Joseph:
Enter, for you have found your quest,
Jesus, God’s Son—of Him be blest.

(Wise Men kneel and present gifts.)

Jaspar:
We bring thee gold, a sign of kings

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 But thou shalt rule over greater things
Than hills and valleys or mountain and plain—
Thou shalt rule the hearts of men.

Rabmag:
We bring thee frankincense, most sweet,
A symbol for the Great High Priest
Who comes from heaven our souls to save
And rescues us from an eternal grave.

Nergal:
And last here’s myrrh to offer Thee,
Foreshadowing your death upon a tree.

Nebo:
For you were born to die for sin
Salvation for our souls to win.

Song: He Is Born to Set Us Free (3 verses—Small Group)

THE END

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