(If this play be given out of doors, the thieves must conceal themselves in the shrubbery before the play begins; if indoors, they may conceal themselves in corners, or creep in.)(Enter thePrologue.)Prologue: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?He said unto him, What is written in the law?And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?And Jesus spake unto them this parable. (TheProloguedraws to one side and stands watching the action of the parable.)(TheThievespop their heads out of the shrubbery and advance cautiously.)First Thief: Hark'ee, brothers, I have sure word that one of our profession is coming this day from Jerusalem to Jericho, bearing rich merchandise.Second Thief(eagerly): To join our band?First Thief: Fool, I mean a rich man.Second Thief: Ohé, averyrich man?First Thief: Averyrich man!Third Thief: We will share his ill-gotten gains in right neighborly fashion—if he be willing.Second Thief: But if not—?First Thief: If not? With a crack on the head!Second Thief: Aye!Third Thief: Aye! (They listen, then creep cautiously into shrubbery.)(Enter theJewand hisServants.They carry big bales of merchandise and advance fearfully.)Jew: Come on, my men, come on; what do ye fear?First Servant(trembling): Master, I like not the look of the lonely road; they say thieves lie in wait here to rob rich travelers.Jew(casting a worried look around): Then hasten, hasten! (He passes out.)Second Servant(scornfully): Thieves! Thieves! Have we no sticks?—no cudgels?First Servant(feelingly): So have the thieves.Second Servant: Faint-heart! Hath not the master paid us yellow gold to guard his merchandise to Jericho?First Servant: Ai! I would I were in Jerusalem again. (Suddenly he clutches the other.) Yonder! Didst not see something stirring?Second Servant: Bah! (Shakes him off.)First Servant: Let us but say a prayer. (His knees knock together.)(TheJewreenters and beckons angrily.)Jew: Hurry, ye fools! It will be night ere— (Loud and piercing whistles and cries come from shrubbery. TheServantsdrop their goods and flee wildly.)Jew(cries): Stay! Stay! Ah, the good gold pieces I paid you rascals! (He tries to gather together his goods): Ai! Ai!(TheThievesgather closely round him.)First Thief: Master, wilt help three poor and hungry men?Jew(looks up and cries): Help! Help!Second Thief: 'Tis unneighborly ye are. Our stomachs yearn for some of thy rich wine. (He lays hold of theJew'swine bottle.)Jew(resisting): Help! Help! Thieves!Third Thief: Bat him over the head. (They do so; he falls.)First Thief(drinking of bottle): Ah!Second Thief(openingJew'spack and eating): Ah!Third Thief(trying onJew'souter garment.): Ah—ha!(TheFirst Thiefmakes a grab at the garment. Struggle. All fight for the goods. Suddenly all listen intently, then flee, taking the goods with them.)(TheJewgroans. Enter thePriest.He regards theJew.)Priest: What's this? Er—r, a dead man surely! I must notify the authorities. Yet—'twould be very awkward to be detained and questioned. They will find him sooner or later. A dead man surely!(TheJewgroans. ThePrieststops his ears and hastens out. Enter twoLevites.)First Levite: Humph! One cannot come by this road without finding signs of thievery and murder.Second Levite: It gives the district a bad name.First Levite: We might carry him as far as your home.Second Levite: Nay! If I brought the fellow there, my wife might not like it. Let us carry him to your home.First Levite: We'd better not meddle, I reckon. After all it's no affair of ours.Second Levite(has a bright idea): We'll tell the inn-keeper to send and fetch him.(TheJewgroans; theLeviteshurry out. Enter theSamaritan.)Samaritan: Ah! Too bad! (He bends overJew.) Courage, my friend! (Jewgroans. TheSamaritanbinds up his head.) Canst walk as far as the inn yonder? (He assistsJewto rise.)Jew(wails): They have stolen my all! I am ruined—ruined—ruined!Samaritan(cheerfully): Better ruined than dead! (They approach inn. He cries): Mine host! Ho! Ho! (Knocks.)(Enter theHost.ThePriestandLevitesfollow, peering over theHost'sshoulder.)Samaritan: I found this poor fellow in the road—beaten by thieves no doubt.First Levite(toHost): It's the fellow I told you of. (ToSamaritan.) Good heavens, fellow, why did'st carry him hither, and wake honest people up in the dead of night? The thing to do was to notify the authorities. You cannot go to the rescue of every man you see in trouble.Samaritan: Why not? We are all brothers.Second Levite: Bah! (TheLevitesretire.)Priest: But, fellow, it was no concern of yours. He is a Jew and you are a Samaritan.Samaritan: Well, sir, we all have one Father.Priest(sourly): Humph! (He turns and goes.)Samaritan: Will you take him in? Here is two pence for thy care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.Host: I will obey thee, sir. (He supportsJewwith his arm.)Samaritan: Farewell. (He goes.)Host(watching him go): He's a good fellow—that is, for a Samaritan. (He leadsJewwithin.)(TheEpilogueadvances.)Epilogue: Priest—Levite—Samaritan—which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?(Epiloguepasses out.)
(If this play be given out of doors, the thieves must conceal themselves in the shrubbery before the play begins; if indoors, they may conceal themselves in corners, or creep in.)
(Enter thePrologue.)
Prologue: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
And Jesus spake unto them this parable. (TheProloguedraws to one side and stands watching the action of the parable.)
(TheThievespop their heads out of the shrubbery and advance cautiously.)
First Thief: Hark'ee, brothers, I have sure word that one of our profession is coming this day from Jerusalem to Jericho, bearing rich merchandise.
Second Thief(eagerly): To join our band?
First Thief: Fool, I mean a rich man.
Second Thief: Ohé, averyrich man?
First Thief: Averyrich man!
Third Thief: We will share his ill-gotten gains in right neighborly fashion—if he be willing.
Second Thief: But if not—?
First Thief: If not? With a crack on the head!
Second Thief: Aye!
Third Thief: Aye! (They listen, then creep cautiously into shrubbery.)
(Enter theJewand hisServants.They carry big bales of merchandise and advance fearfully.)
Jew: Come on, my men, come on; what do ye fear?
First Servant(trembling): Master, I like not the look of the lonely road; they say thieves lie in wait here to rob rich travelers.
Jew(casting a worried look around): Then hasten, hasten! (He passes out.)
Second Servant(scornfully): Thieves! Thieves! Have we no sticks?—no cudgels?
First Servant(feelingly): So have the thieves.
Second Servant: Faint-heart! Hath not the master paid us yellow gold to guard his merchandise to Jericho?
First Servant: Ai! I would I were in Jerusalem again. (Suddenly he clutches the other.) Yonder! Didst not see something stirring?
Second Servant: Bah! (Shakes him off.)
First Servant: Let us but say a prayer. (His knees knock together.)
(TheJewreenters and beckons angrily.)
Jew: Hurry, ye fools! It will be night ere— (Loud and piercing whistles and cries come from shrubbery. TheServantsdrop their goods and flee wildly.)
Jew(cries): Stay! Stay! Ah, the good gold pieces I paid you rascals! (He tries to gather together his goods): Ai! Ai!
(TheThievesgather closely round him.)
First Thief: Master, wilt help three poor and hungry men?
Jew(looks up and cries): Help! Help!
Second Thief: 'Tis unneighborly ye are. Our stomachs yearn for some of thy rich wine. (He lays hold of theJew'swine bottle.)
Jew(resisting): Help! Help! Thieves!
Third Thief: Bat him over the head. (They do so; he falls.)
First Thief(drinking of bottle): Ah!
Second Thief(openingJew'spack and eating): Ah!
Third Thief(trying onJew'souter garment.): Ah—ha!
(TheFirst Thiefmakes a grab at the garment. Struggle. All fight for the goods. Suddenly all listen intently, then flee, taking the goods with them.)
(TheJewgroans. Enter thePriest.He regards theJew.)
Priest: What's this? Er—r, a dead man surely! I must notify the authorities. Yet—'twould be very awkward to be detained and questioned. They will find him sooner or later. A dead man surely!
(TheJewgroans. ThePrieststops his ears and hastens out. Enter twoLevites.)
First Levite: Humph! One cannot come by this road without finding signs of thievery and murder.
Second Levite: It gives the district a bad name.
First Levite: We might carry him as far as your home.
Second Levite: Nay! If I brought the fellow there, my wife might not like it. Let us carry him to your home.
First Levite: We'd better not meddle, I reckon. After all it's no affair of ours.
Second Levite(has a bright idea): We'll tell the inn-keeper to send and fetch him.
(TheJewgroans; theLeviteshurry out. Enter theSamaritan.)
Samaritan: Ah! Too bad! (He bends overJew.) Courage, my friend! (Jewgroans. TheSamaritanbinds up his head.) Canst walk as far as the inn yonder? (He assistsJewto rise.)
Jew(wails): They have stolen my all! I am ruined—ruined—ruined!
Samaritan(cheerfully): Better ruined than dead! (They approach inn. He cries): Mine host! Ho! Ho! (Knocks.)
(Enter theHost.ThePriestandLevitesfollow, peering over theHost'sshoulder.)
Samaritan: I found this poor fellow in the road—beaten by thieves no doubt.
First Levite(toHost): It's the fellow I told you of. (ToSamaritan.) Good heavens, fellow, why did'st carry him hither, and wake honest people up in the dead of night? The thing to do was to notify the authorities. You cannot go to the rescue of every man you see in trouble.
Samaritan: Why not? We are all brothers.
Second Levite: Bah! (TheLevitesretire.)
Priest: But, fellow, it was no concern of yours. He is a Jew and you are a Samaritan.
Samaritan: Well, sir, we all have one Father.
Priest(sourly): Humph! (He turns and goes.)
Samaritan: Will you take him in? Here is two pence for thy care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Host: I will obey thee, sir. (He supportsJewwith his arm.)
Samaritan: Farewell. (He goes.)
Host(watching him go): He's a good fellow—that is, for a Samaritan. (He leadsJewwithin.)
(TheEpilogueadvances.)
Epilogue: Priest—Levite—Samaritan—which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?
(Epiloguepasses out.)
The chancel of the church, or platform.
At the beginning of Advent each child, who so desires, is given a stocking with its mate tucked in the toe, and the name of some child, who would go without the joys of a Christmas stocking, if this stocking were not filled.
Manger Sunday, the Sunday before Christmas, they bring these stockings filled, with toys, something to eat and something warm to wear.
(TheChildrenrobed asAngelsenter the chancel. They pause before manger.)First Angel:Why is this manger filled with hay,Placed here? Surely it stood one dayIn the stable of Bethlehem?Second Angel:There's a whisper of music in the air,And children's voices sounding fair.Wait, we will ask of them.(The procession starts from the back of the church, singing. First come the threeShepherds,then the threeKings,bearing the star, then the five littleGirls,then theClassbearing gifts, and lastly theChoir(if there is a choir.))Song: Music, "Onward, Christian Soldiers!"
(TheChildrenrobed asAngelsenter the chancel. They pause before manger.)
First Angel:
Why is this manger filled with hay,Placed here? Surely it stood one dayIn the stable of Bethlehem?
Why is this manger filled with hay,Placed here? Surely it stood one dayIn the stable of Bethlehem?
Second Angel:
There's a whisper of music in the air,And children's voices sounding fair.Wait, we will ask of them.
There's a whisper of music in the air,And children's voices sounding fair.Wait, we will ask of them.
(The procession starts from the back of the church, singing. First come the threeShepherds,then the threeKings,bearing the star, then the five littleGirls,then theClassbearing gifts, and lastly theChoir(if there is a choir.))
Song: Music, "Onward, Christian Soldiers!"
Listen:[audio/mpeg][audio/ogg; codecs=opus][midi]Sheet Music:[pdf]Music XML:[XML]
Listen:[audio/mpeg][audio/ogg; codecs=opus][midi]
Sheet Music:[pdf]
Music XML:[XML]
musical notationmusical notation
(They reach the chancel. TheAngelsquestion them in song.)Song: Music, "Christmas-time Songs and Carols" by Mrs. Crosby Adams (page 10).Angels(sing):Little children, who are ye,Clad like shepherds? List to me,For I am a stranger:Why do ye come here to-day?ChoirorClass(sing answer):It was the shepherds who first, they say,Beheld the Child in the manger,Beheld the Child in the manger.(The threeShepherdsenter chancel and recite.)Shepherds:We come as the shepherds came that dayTo see where the baby Jesus lay.And we prayThe Christ-love dwell in our hearts this Christmas day.Angels(sing):Little kings whom I behold,Robed in purple, crowned with gold,Hearken to a stranger:Tell me why you carry a star!ChoirorClass(sing answer):Led by such wonderful light afar,The wise kings found the manger,The wise kings found the manger.(The threeKingsenter chancel and recite.)Kings:We come as the wise kings came, they say,Following ever the star-lit way;And we prayThe light shine in our hearts this Christmas day.Angels(sing):Children, 'tis two thousand yearsSince the kings and shepherd seersFound that Baby sleeping.Where the wise men of to-day?ChoirorClass(sing answer):All those who follow in Jesus' way,And that's the way we're seeking,And that's the way we're seeking.(The five littleGirlsenter chancel.)First Little Girl(holding up a stocking filled with toys):Years ago in a manger bareA Baby lay.He lived a life so wondrous fair,He showed the way.And as he bade, we'd like to giveOn Christmas day.Second Little Girl(holding up hood and mittens):With other children we would shareOur Christmas joy.A hood, some mittens too I bear.Third Little Girl(holding up doll): I bring a doll.Fourth Little Girl(holding up toy): I bring a toy.Fifth Little Girl(holding up stocking):To children who have less than we,We bring these gifts right lovingly.Third Angel:O little children, if love ye bring,It equals the gift of shepherd or king.So kneel, little children, and humbly pray,Your gifts carry blessing on Christmas day.(All kneel and sing. Music, "Gaudeamus Igitur." For music see conclusion Noah's Flood.)Father of all children,For all children we would pray:Thou who gave a little childTo the world on Christmas day,Grant our gifts may carry gladness,Grant our love may banish sadness.Lead us in the loving way,Lead us in the loving way.(All rise. TheClasscomes forward and places the stockings in manger. Then all disperse, singing a Christmas carol.)(At the conclusion, if so desired, a very little child may repeat these lines byChristina Rossetti.)"What can I give Him, Poor as I am?If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb;If I were a wise king, I would do my part.What can I give Him? Give my heart!"
(They reach the chancel. TheAngelsquestion them in song.)
Song: Music, "Christmas-time Songs and Carols" by Mrs. Crosby Adams (page 10).
Angels(sing):
Little children, who are ye,Clad like shepherds? List to me,For I am a stranger:Why do ye come here to-day?
Little children, who are ye,Clad like shepherds? List to me,For I am a stranger:Why do ye come here to-day?
ChoirorClass(sing answer):
It was the shepherds who first, they say,Beheld the Child in the manger,Beheld the Child in the manger.
It was the shepherds who first, they say,Beheld the Child in the manger,Beheld the Child in the manger.
(The threeShepherdsenter chancel and recite.)
Shepherds:
We come as the shepherds came that dayTo see where the baby Jesus lay.And we prayThe Christ-love dwell in our hearts this Christmas day.
We come as the shepherds came that dayTo see where the baby Jesus lay.And we prayThe Christ-love dwell in our hearts this Christmas day.
Angels(sing):
Little kings whom I behold,Robed in purple, crowned with gold,Hearken to a stranger:Tell me why you carry a star!
Little kings whom I behold,Robed in purple, crowned with gold,Hearken to a stranger:Tell me why you carry a star!
ChoirorClass(sing answer):
Led by such wonderful light afar,The wise kings found the manger,The wise kings found the manger.
Led by such wonderful light afar,The wise kings found the manger,The wise kings found the manger.
(The threeKingsenter chancel and recite.)
Kings:
We come as the wise kings came, they say,Following ever the star-lit way;And we prayThe light shine in our hearts this Christmas day.
We come as the wise kings came, they say,Following ever the star-lit way;And we prayThe light shine in our hearts this Christmas day.
Angels(sing):
Children, 'tis two thousand yearsSince the kings and shepherd seersFound that Baby sleeping.Where the wise men of to-day?
Children, 'tis two thousand yearsSince the kings and shepherd seersFound that Baby sleeping.Where the wise men of to-day?
ChoirorClass(sing answer):
All those who follow in Jesus' way,And that's the way we're seeking,And that's the way we're seeking.
All those who follow in Jesus' way,And that's the way we're seeking,And that's the way we're seeking.
(The five littleGirlsenter chancel.)
First Little Girl(holding up a stocking filled with toys):
Years ago in a manger bareA Baby lay.He lived a life so wondrous fair,He showed the way.And as he bade, we'd like to giveOn Christmas day.
Years ago in a manger bareA Baby lay.He lived a life so wondrous fair,He showed the way.And as he bade, we'd like to giveOn Christmas day.
Second Little Girl(holding up hood and mittens):
With other children we would shareOur Christmas joy.A hood, some mittens too I bear.
With other children we would shareOur Christmas joy.A hood, some mittens too I bear.
Third Little Girl(holding up doll): I bring a doll.
Fourth Little Girl(holding up toy): I bring a toy.
Fifth Little Girl(holding up stocking):
To children who have less than we,We bring these gifts right lovingly.
To children who have less than we,We bring these gifts right lovingly.
Third Angel:
O little children, if love ye bring,It equals the gift of shepherd or king.So kneel, little children, and humbly pray,Your gifts carry blessing on Christmas day.
O little children, if love ye bring,It equals the gift of shepherd or king.So kneel, little children, and humbly pray,Your gifts carry blessing on Christmas day.
(All kneel and sing. Music, "Gaudeamus Igitur." For music see conclusion Noah's Flood.)
Father of all children,For all children we would pray:Thou who gave a little childTo the world on Christmas day,Grant our gifts may carry gladness,Grant our love may banish sadness.Lead us in the loving way,Lead us in the loving way.
Father of all children,For all children we would pray:Thou who gave a little childTo the world on Christmas day,Grant our gifts may carry gladness,Grant our love may banish sadness.Lead us in the loving way,Lead us in the loving way.
(All rise. TheClasscomes forward and places the stockings in manger. Then all disperse, singing a Christmas carol.)
(At the conclusion, if so desired, a very little child may repeat these lines byChristina Rossetti.)
"What can I give Him, Poor as I am?If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb;If I were a wise king, I would do my part.What can I give Him? Give my heart!"
"What can I give Him, Poor as I am?If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb;If I were a wise king, I would do my part.What can I give Him? Give my heart!"
The End.