Written as a performance piece for a school or congregation. This short play is partnered with the Passion play also published in this blog
Introduction
From out of the heavens the cold starlight Shines on the wings of angels bright
And as they point towards the earth
They tell us of a virgin birth
The Angels sing (This can be an arrangement with music, extended, repeated, a refrain)
Wrap him in clothes to keep him warm
Hold him so tight away from harm
Feed him sweet milk Mary
Joseph
The night is cool but I have made
A bed for our baby
The straw was sharp so we have laid
Soft cloths to help him rest
We see the stars and hear the angels
Singing high above us
And it is holy, magical,
And we are truly blessed.
Our little baby Jesus
Like a bird inside a nest.
Mary
How I love my baby
My little baby Jesus
Come to me and cling to me
And I'll protect you come what may
I will love you night and day
My tiny baby Jesus
You are a blessing to us.
Angels sing
Wrap him in clothes to keep him warm
Hold him so tight away from harm
Feed him sweet milk Mary
ANGELS
( Angels enter and use the censor with pure frankincense burning, They bless everyone with it) This could also be a metal dish with frankincense oil mixed with water which could be sprinkled if fire is a problem. The mood is majestic and full of wonder)
Beautiful
Solemn
Incense smell
Ring the bell
Raise the fire of
Sacramental
Heavy high
And head bowed low
Swing the censor
To and fro
Ash and smoke and
Breath of balm
Gum from wood
Of Asian trees
Ching of chain
Swing the Censor
High and low
Ash like snow
KINGS
Through Snow and rain and desert storms we travelled night and day
Through wind and dust and desert sun we suffered much and suffered long to travel all this way.
We crossed the desert, mountains high, the planes and valleys, rivers wide
The red dust in our hair and eyes
The sun so very bright
We travelled by sun and moon and star
Our journey hard, our feet so sore
Our girdles fastened tight
Guided always by the star.
We searched and found him in this barn
And we'll protect him from all harm
We Eastern men
Who've come so far
Were wise to come and worship him.
Wise to follow that holy star
We carried jewels, gold, incense sweet, and bitter herbs to lay before
this holy child
our new born king
Which we will now present to him:
Gold
Light so brilliant light divine
Pure and perfect saviour
Gold for wisdom
Gold for wealth
Gold to transform the dark of earth
To golden light divine
(repeat if wanted)
Frankincense
To burn before a deity
God and man we worship thee
With incense for a King
Our holy offering.
Our thanks to heaven for your birth
Our breath of prayer to rise
For we have found you
Here at last
As we three kneel upon the earth
With lowered heads and eyes
Oh tiny little man
Frankincense, al luban
(Repeat if wanted)
Myrrh
Of Myrrh we will not speak tonight
It is not good for joyous light
or birthdays sweet.
But for a distant time of pain
Of sadness and loss and dreadful shame
So close the lid, put it away
We will not need sad Myrrh today.
Angels sing
Wrap him in clothes to keep him warm
Hold him so tight away from harm
Feed him sweet milk Mary
Shepherd Boy
I heard a cry up in the field
Not a cry of sheep or lamb
But of a little baby
So I ran quickly down to see
And here I found the family
Huddled round baby to keep him warm
Here in the night in an open barn
So I ran and ran till I got home
And brought some sheepskin
To keep him warm
And then he smiled at me
He did he smiled at me
His little mouth and eyes so sweet
He liked the sheepskin tucked up neat
To keep him warm
I think he smiled at me
The Shepherds
We usually sleep in turns
But the stars were very bright
we'd set a small fire
talked into the night
Of crops and olives
sheep and wool
And listened to silence
The crackling wood spark
Enjoying the dark
Then all of a sudden
A very bright light
Shone down from above us
A terrible fright
And a voice and then voices
Called down from on high
And told us a baby was born
Quite close by
Said hasten and go
And travel to see him
We darent say no!
So we gathered our supper
Our olives and bread
Some wine and some cheeses
And walked to the shed
And there in a manger
A tiny baby!
And light seemed to shine from him
The voices sang songs to him
It seemed like a special thing
A special baby
Twas marvellous to see
So we shared our supper
Our cheese and our wine
Our olives and flat bread
And had a great time!
And the little child Jesus
Lay sleeping on hay
And he didn't wake
till the dawn of the day.
Thank goodness said Mary!
Now we must all try to get some sleep
They all form a tableau of sleep
The end