The CBB :: View topic - The Youngest Shepherd

#1: The Youngest Shepherd Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:38 pm

Ok this is my small sparkling purple leaf's idea of what Madge's nativity play in Jo of the Chalet School would have been like. I hope you enjoy it.

The Youngest Shepherd – Margaret Daphne Russell

Cast

Child one
Child two
Child three
Child four
The Youngest Shepherd
A Choir of Angels
A Poor Man
A Great Lady
Caspar
Melchior
Balthazar
Three Archangels
Some Shepherds
Mary
Joseph
Child Angels and Cherubs

SCENE ONE: Christmas Eve. The living room of a house in the city.
Child 1 It’s all your fault!
Child 2 ‘Tisn’t!
Child 1 Is too if you hadn’t said anything Mamma would never have known anything about it!
Child 3 She would too - you left the bathroom in an awful mess…
Child 1 Didn’t, it wasn’t me….
Child 3 Ok then explain how the floor ended up flooded with water then and with inky fingerprints all over the basin!
Child 4 Police could use those.

Other children turn to look at their youngest sibling in confusion.

Child 2 What…?
Child 1 Oh I wouldn’t worry you know he’s odd – must come from being so small…. They giggle
Child 3 Indignantly. That’s not fair we can’t help being younger than you. And everyone knows that younger is smaller. Anyway at least we’re not stupid enough to leave tell tale marks all over the bathroom!

Child 4 pulls a face at Child 2 and as things seem to be spiralling out of control music is heard through the window.

to be continued...

ETA: Two more Archangels - I've just discovered them in Scene five.

Last edited by Nell on Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:36 pm; edited 4 times in total

#2: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 4:44 pm

What a wonderful idea! Thank you Nell. Razz

#3: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:00 pm

Yay thanks Nell Very Happy

And btw, its ALL as good as this Wink

#4: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:28 pm

Hurrah! So this is it! Lovely Nell!

#5: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:29 pm

Yay - thanks Nell. You already know I think this is fab, but happy to say it again! Laughing

#6: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 7:39 pm

Looking very good Nell! Looking forward to the next part.

#7: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 10:57 pm

Thankyou Nell this looks good!

I wish EBD had simply quoted the scripts verbatim, rather than her slightly slushy descriptions of what happened in the plays!

#8: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:44 am

This looks great Nell! More soon please!

#9: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:45 am

Another bit. There's one more post to come in the first scene

Choir off
Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ is born today.
Ox and ass before him bow
and he is in the manger now:
Christ is born today,
Christ is born today.

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Now ye hear of endless bliss;
Jesus Christ was born for this.
He hath opened the heavenly door
and we are blest for evermore:
Christ was born for this,
Christ was born for this.

Good Christian men, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice!
Now ye need not fear the grave;
Jesus Christ was born to save,
calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall:
Christ was born to save,
Christ was born to save.

As the sound of singing dies away, there is silence for a moment.

Child 3 I’m sorry I called you stupid.
Child 1 And I’m sorry for blaming you for Mamma finding out.
Child 2 I’m sorry for quarrelling.
Child 4 And I’m just sorry…
Child 1 The singing made me remember what tomorrow is and how our behaviour wasn’t very Christmassy. Do you remember the story Mamma told us of the first Christmas and how the angels came to tell the shepherds of the miracle happening in the stable nearby…?
Child 3 And how it’s a message of peace and hope for all time.

They look guilty remembering their behaviour of moments earlier.

Child 4 I like the kings on their camels and the presents they bring…

The curtains part and between them stands the youngest shepherd.

Child 4 …who are you?
YS I’m the youngest of the shepherds in the fields above Bethlehem and when the Angels had sung their wonderful song I got left behind.
Child 1 puzzled. You really are one of the shepherds from that night? How?
Child 3 Oh please tell us more, what was it like?

The children sit down to listen to the Youngest Shepherd’s story.

YS Yes, I really am. And it was fabulous! We were sitting there by the fire and I was trying not to go to sleep as it was very late and the fire was so warm. When suddenly an angel appeared in the sky above us and we could hear voices singing. Then he was joined by hundreds of others all singing ‘Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace to all men!’ and other wondrous songs. The first angel told us not to be afraid and that the King was born in Bethlehem that very moment and he would be found wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And then they vanished as suddenly as they’d come! Well the other shepherds all rushed off excitedly but I had to stay behind to watch over the sheep – I’m the youngest so I always get left behind!
Child 4 I know all about that!
Child 1 Yes but why are you here now then?
YS Well just as I was settling down to sleep again, the angel reappeared! ‘You too’ he said. And he sent me off – so here I am, on my way to the stable. Are you going to come with me? We must go quickly of the shepherds will be there before us!

#10: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 1:33 pm

Thanks Nell, this is lovely.

Liz

#11: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:21 pm

Thanks Nell

#12: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 2:51 pm

Thank you Nell, this is really lovely.

#13: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:02 pm

Lovely, Nell. Nice to see the play in full.

#14: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:06 pm

Loving this Nell, Thanks, it seems much more alive than some of EBD's descriptions.

#15: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:17 pm

I'm glad you're all enjoying it. Scene three is proving somewhat problematic however I hope to crack it at lunch time tomorrow, unless it comes to me as I'm sleeping!

So does this mean you'll no longer believe me when I say I can't write...

More tomorrow!

#16: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 7:01 pm

Nell wrote:

So does this mean you'll no longer believe me when I say I can't write...

Most definatley Very Happy

#17: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:29 am

Bother!

The children spring to their feet ready to follow him.

Child 1 Of course we are, aren’t we!
Child 2,3,4 Oh yes!
Child 3 Wait a moment though, all the people who visited the Baby King took presents. Shouldn’t we?
Child 4 I’ll take my toy duck.
Child 2 I’ll take my boat.
Child 1 I’m going to take my new puzzle
Child 3 And I’ll take my teddy.

The children find their gifts and put on coats ready to leave, when the Youngest Shepherd draws back the curtains and a choir of angels can be seen.

YS See! Listen!

Angel Choir
In the field with their flocks abiding,
They lay on the dewy ground;
And glimmering under the starlight,
The sheep lay white around;
When the light of the Lord streamed o’er them,
And lo! from heaven above,
An angel leaned from the glory,
And sang his song of love.
He sang, that first sweet Christmas,
The song that shall never cease.

Refrain: “Glory to God in the highest,
On earth good will and peace.”
“To you in the city of David
A Saviour is born today!”

And sudden a host of the heavenly ones
Flashed forth to join the lay.
O never hath sweeter message
Thrilled home to the souls of men
And the heavens themselves had never heard
A gladder choir till then.
For they sang that Christmas carol
That never on earth shall cease.
Refrain

And the shepherds came to the manger,
And gazed on the Holy Child;
And calmly o’er that rude cradle
The virgin mother smiled;
And the sky in the starlit silence,
Seemed full of the angel lay:
“To you in the City of David
A Saviour is born today!”
O they sang, and we pray that never
The carol on earth shall cease.
Refrain

Curtain falls. End of Scene 1.

Scene two shall follow tomorrow

#18: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:57 am

Thankyou Nell - enjoying this muchly

#19: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:59 am

Oooh - just caught up with this! Thank you Nell!! Kiss

#20: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 1:55 pm

Thank you Nell this is so lovely.

#21: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 2:28 pm

Thanks Nell

Is this going to take us up to Christmas and a grand finale of Adeste Fideles?

Liz

#22: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 2:57 pm

Well I've seen the ending and its not what you would expect.......... Twisted Evil

Lovely Nell, thank you Very Happy

#23: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 3:19 pm

*feeling very Christmassy now* Lovely thank you Nell!

And, no, we'll never believe you again when you say that you can't write!

#24: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 10:48 am

A little bit more...

SCENE TWO: On a road – travelling.

The four children and the Youngest Shepherd enter stage left and make their way across the stage. They are weary and have travelled a long way.

Child 4 Is it everso much further I’m so tired?
Child 2 I’m tired too we’ve been walking for ages.
Child 3 Yes but think of what we shall see when we arrive!
YS I don’t know how much further we must go, but we must remember we are doing it for Him. We must keep going, it can’t be too much further.

A Poor Man enters stage right and crosses to the small group on stage.

Poor Man Good night. Where are you going at this time? It’s getting very late for you to be out alone and travelling so far.

In a babble of voices they tell him.

Child 1 We’re going to Bethlehem…
Child 3 This is the Youngest Shepherd and he’s taking us…
Child 2 The King is there he was born this very night…
YS The Angels told us…..
Child 4 And we’re taking him these presents…
Poor Man Wait a moment! Let me get this straight. Some angels came and told you (points at YS) that a king has been born tonight in Bethlehem and you together with these children are going to see him?
YS We are. Won’t you come with us, he like to see you too?
Poor Man No I think you’re mistaken, kings never want to see the poor and needy folk like me, I’m not sure he’ll see you either. They only have time for rich folk.
Child 3 But you’ve got it wrong…
Child 1 This is the King of everyone, the poor and the rich and the needy and the helpless.

The Poor Man laughs at their ideas.

Child 2 (turning to YS) Oh, go on you can persuade him!

#25: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:40 pm

Lovely, Nell. I can just see the children, so earnest and sweet.

#26: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:26 pm

I'm not at work tomorrow and have a busy weekend (and I've still not cracked Scene 3 Embarassed

) so there is unlikely to be more until Monday!

#27: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:58 pm

Love the new scene Nell it comes over really well. Can just see it happening.

Have a good weekend and will look forward to the next part when you are less busy.

#28: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 4:16 pm

Lovely. Thanks Nell.

Hope you had a good weekend.

Looking forward to Scene 3! Very Happy

#29: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 5:55 pm

Thank you I had a lovely weekend but today has been manic including a trip across London to collect records from Twickenham! Here is the rest of Scene 2! Unfortunately Scene 3 still is not writtena nd I'm now going to the pub so you can have it sometime in the future!!!

There appear to be numerous versions of the Cherry Tree Carol with many verses so I've chosen the version that I felt fitted best.

YS in reply sings the Cherry Tree Carol. The Poor Man listens in deep silence.

As Joseph was a walking
He heard an Angel sing: --
“This night shall be born
Our Heavenly King;

“He neither shall be born
In housen, nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise,
But in an ox's stall;

“He neither shall be clothed
In purple nor in pall,
But all in fair linen,
As were babies all;

“He neither shall be rocked
In silver nor in gold,
But in a wooden cradle,
That rocks on the mould;

“He neither shall be christened
In white wine nor red,
But with fair spring water
With which we were christened.”

Then Mary took her young Son
And set him on her knee: --
“I pray thee now, dear child,
Tell how this world shall be?”

“O, I shall be as dead, Mother,
As the stones in the wall;
O, the stones in the street, Mother,
Shall mourn for me all.

“And upon a Wednesday
My vow I will make,
And upon Good Friday
My death I will take;

“Upon Easter-day, Mother,
My rising shall be;
O, the sun and the moon,
Shall uprise with me.”

The people shall rejoice,
And the birds they shall sing
To see the uprising
Of the Heavenly King.

Child 1 Will you come?
Poor Man I will.

They prepare to move on once more. A Great Lady, clad in silken gowns and many jewels enters centre stage. She stops the group.

Great Lady Hold! Whither are you bound?
YS We are all going to Bethlehem to see the King who has been born there tonight, my Lady.
Great Lady (sneers) What! You are going to visit a king dressed like that, in rags and tatty clothes. You ought to dress in splendid silks and jewels to see a king and on a horse or in a carriage. Kings only see the most important sorts of people.
Child 2 Oh no, you’re wrong this is the king of the poor, the needy and the helpless but also of anyone who will accept him. Please do come and see?
Child 3 Yes do come.
Child 1 Please come.
Great Lady I cannot waste my time visiting babies who might or might not be kings. I shall not come with you, I have more important things to do.
Child 4 (stretching out a hand) Do come! Oh do come!
Great Lady (giving in) Oh very well!

They pass on. Curtain falls. End of Scene 2.

#30: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 6:56 pm

*fuzzy* Thank you Nell! Hope you have a less hectic day tomorrow Smile

#31: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 7:00 pm

This is so much better than the EBD version - which was reallly quite sketchy. I'm picturing it with quite young children.

I hope RL is kinder than today!

#32: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 12:49 am

Lovely Nell so evocative!

#33: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:46 am

Evocative is the exact word ...

Thanks, Nell - this is very special and I have a very vivid picture of the stage and characters in my mind as I read this

#34: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:06 pm

Today is much quieter and I have finally managed to write something I'm relatively happy with for Scene 3. Thanks to Ally for persuading me to post it! So here you are:

SCENE THREE: On a road – the Magi

Choir off
There came three kings from eastern land,
Star-led by God's Almighty hand,
To Christward thro' Hierusalem,
Unto the crib at Bethlehem.
God, thither to our footsteps guide,
To serve that Babe at every tide.

Within the star, so great and sheen,
A golden crowned Child is seen;
His sceptre was a cross of gold.
His face like sunlight to behold.
God, ever now to man below
Light from you blissful star bestow.

From Morning-land, in haste the while,
They journey many a hundred mile:
O'er hill and dale, in frost and snow,
By land, by water, on they go.
God, may the roadway never be
Too rough and hard that leads to Thee.

Why, Herod, honour so the kings?
Their minds are set on other things:
Forth from the stately court in speed
They to the lowly crib proceed.
God, see we never swerve aside,
But keep Thy path, whate'er betide.

No sooner come within the stall
Then down upon the knee they fall,
And offer Him, in order meet,
Gold, myrrh, and incense passing sweet.
God, take our gifts, or great or small,
Heart, soul, life, limb, name, substance - all.

By frankincense the three proclaim
That God Almighty is His Name;
Myrrh to the Son of Man they bring,
But gold in token of the King.
God, keep us steadfast in this creed,
From heresy and schism freed.

As the carol ends the three kings enter stage left carrying their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are following a star and traveling along the same road.

Caspar Shall we stop and rest here a while we have been traveling a goodly time and I’m feeling weary.
Balthazar Indeed there is a small stream where we can refresh ourselves.
Melchior We mustn’t stop too long though we still have a long way to go and we must not be late delivering our gifts.
Caspar No indeed. He must be a very special baby to get presents as valuable as these and with all these portents surrounding his birth.
Melchior Well you know, Caspar, that we have been destined to follow this star since we first saw it arise in the East. All the prophecies had spoken of such a thing and they also told of the person we seek.
Balthazar Yes, the gifts we bring tell something of who he will become. We take Gold because he is a King, Frankincense the fragrance of the Temple because he will lead his people as a Priest and lastly Myrrh because it is in his death that his true greatness will be recognized.

The curtain falls. End of Scene 3.

#35: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:05 pm

Lovely, Nell! Thank you.

#36: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:11 pm

Yay - you got Scene 3 to come good at last Very Happy

Thanks Nell

#37: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:03 pm

That is wonderful Nell, evocotive and thoughtful. Thank you.

#38: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:41 am

That was lovely - thanks Nell.

#39: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:35 am

Glad you're all enjoying it. It's time for the interval! In EBD's version this was only three minutes long but I won't be posting any more til tomorrow so help yourselves to mulled wine and mince pies and enjoy the singing!

INTERVAL: ‘When the Crimson sun had set’

Choir
When the crimson sun had set
Low behind the wintry sea,
On the bright
And cold midnight
Burst a sound of heavenly glee:

Chorus:
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds watching by their fold,
On the crisp and hoary plain,
In the sky
Bright hosts espy,
Singing in a gladsome strain. Chorus

Where the manger crib is laid,
In the city fair and free,
Hand in hand,
This shepherds band
Worship Christ on bended knee. Chorus

Join with us in welcome song,
Ye who in Christ's Home abide,
Sing the Love
Of God above,
Shown at happy Christmas-tide. Chorus

#40: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:00 am

*Accepts mince pie and wine; turns to neighbour*

"It's very good isn't it. I wonder who wrote it." Wink

#41: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:10 am

lol Pat

*accepts the treats happily*

Thank you Nell Very Happy

#42: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:41 pm

Thanks Nell

Liz *takes up position next to mulled wine*

#43: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 4:07 pm

*experiencing sparkly christmas feelings*

*munches on mince pie while waiting patiently for the next scene*

#44: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:06 pm

*Helps self to glass of mulled wine and passes round the Stollen for those who are not fond of mince pies*

"... and doesn't that child have such a lovely voice, like a choirboy, really."

JackieJ

#45: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:21 pm

*sets down Leberkuchen and spiced cider, then joins the huge queue for the loo*

Looking forward to Act 2. Very Happy

#46: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:28 pm

The next part...

SCENE FOUR: Outside the stable. Some Guests.

A stable door, set ajar, guarded by an Archangel holding the white lily of peace.

Sung by the Choir and audience.

Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab' im lockigten Haar,
Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Jesus in deiner Geburt!

Angel choir enter and sing the bird carol.

Angel Choir
From out of a wood did a cuckoo fly,
Cuckoo.
He came to a manger with joyful cry,
Cuckoo;
He hopped, he curtsied, round he flew,
And loud his jubilation grew,
Cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo.

A pidgeon flew over to Galilee,
Vrercroo
He strutted, and cooed, and was full of glee,
Vrercroo
And showed with jewelled wings unfurled,
His joy that Christ was in the world,
Vrercroo, vrercroo, vrercroo.

A dove settled down upon Nazareth,
Tsucroo.
And tenderly chanted with all his breath,
Tsucroo.
"O you," he cooed, "so good and true,
My beauty do I give to you –
Tsucroos, Tsucroo, Tsucroo."

Enter three shepherds, weary and footsore yet jubilant and expectant.

Shepherd 1 Well here we are…
Shepherd 2 At last, it’s been a wearisome journey. Are you sure we’ll be welcomed?
Shepherd 3 Of course we will, did he not send the angels to tell us particularly?
Shepherd 1 Well let us enter then…

I'm not sure whether this is what EBD meant by the bird carol but I found it and thought it amusing so used it anyway! I can just imagine the 'birds'!

#47: Author: JackieJ, Location: Kingston upon Hull

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 1:50 pm

I have a Carol of the Birds at home, it might be that, I can post the text if you want.

Lovely though, can just imagine being there.

JackieJ

#48: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 3:21 pm

Thank you Jackie, it would be interesting to see it whatever EBD actually meant!

#49: Author: pim, Location: St Andrews (right next to the beach)

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 4:08 pm

Thank you Nell. *feeling a little cheered up now*

#50: Author: Marianne, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 7:03 pm

*warm and fuzzy*

#51: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:03 pm

We used to sing that carol at school and I don't think I've heard it since I left primary school. Thanks. Very Happy

#52: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:09 pm

That was lovely Nell!

#53: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:32 am

Lovely, to echo everyone else.

Ta Nell! Very Happy

#54: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:12 pm

And the shepherds enter the stable through the open door. As they do the Choir sing:

The first Nowell the angel did say
was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
in fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Refrain:
Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell,
born is the King of Israel.

They looked up and saw a star
shining in the east beyond them far,
and to the earth it gave great light,
and so it continued both day and night. Refrain

And by the light of that same star
three wise men came from country far;
to seek for a king was their intent,
and to follow the star wherever it went. Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
o'er Bethlehem it took its rest,
and there it did both stop and stay
right over the place where Jesus lay. Refrain

Then entered in those wise men three
full reverently upon their knee,
and offered there in his presence
their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Refrain

Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood mankind hath bought. Refrain

The magi enter carrying their gifts and watching the star which has paused above the stable.

Caspar Are you sure this is right, it doesn’t look like a King’s residence?
Balthazar Well the star has stopped here and so therefore must we, but you are correct it looks a very humble abode for a King.
Melchior I was expecting a castle or at the very least a fine house. But if the star has stopped it must be right, the prophecies all said we should follow the star to its resting place. Come, let us go and in and find the King.

There are two posts left however I shall not be posting on here again until Monday as I have the most ridiculously busy weekend complete with a mad dash to Devon and back tomorrow in order to be at church for 9am on Sunday!

#55: Author: Emma A, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:42 pm

This is lovely, just like reading EBD's accounts of Christmas plays and pageants.

Incidentally, why did things never go wrong for the Christmas offerings, but *always* for the pantomimes? Just a thought... Wink

#56: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:53 pm

Maybe EBD felt it would be disrespectful to have things go wrong with the xmas plays? Not sure, but just a thought!

This is lovely Nell! Thank you!
Hope you survive the weekend okay!

#57: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:06 pm

Lovely posts, Nell. Thank you. I hope your 'mad dash' is not too mad Confused

#58: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:35 pm

Thankyou Nell - lovely! I like the bird carol.

Church at 9am after a dash to Devon?! Poor you - I'm aiming at a 9.30 service tomorrow which is a whole hour earlier than normal for me Confused

#59: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:17 pm

Thanks Nell

Hope you have a good trip

Liz

#60: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:36 am

Hope you had a good trip to Devon and back Nell, and that your service was as good as ours.

Love all these latest scenes.

#61: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 10:19 am

Well Devon was lovely, got to see my Grandma before CHristmas and I managed to make an impossible connection at Reading so got home 40 minutes earlier than I thought I would. Managed to get to church for 9am and then had fun telling the story of the shepherds (Shem, Issac, Joshua and Daniel!?!) and playign games - though I did end up with three six years olds in tears...will be posting more of this later...

#62: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:05 am

What did you do to the poor six year olds Nell? Twisted Evil

Looking forward to seeing more of this.

#63: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:23 pm

Nothing really....honest! We started by doing news, then I told a wonderfully off-the-cuff version of the shepherds part of the nativity story (can't think where the inspiration came from Wink

) and then we played musical statues, bumps and pass-the-parcel and some of them didn't cope very well with losing! Oh and one of them was being picked on by the other kids! All great fun!

They pass through the door and enter the stable. The choir sing ‘Come to the manger’ and as they finish the Youngest Shepherd and his group arrive.

Come to the manger, in Bethlehem,
A sweet Child lies therein,
A Holy Child come down to earth
To save the world from sin;
A little Child with a Heart so large
It takes the whole world in!

But the heart of the world is far too small
To take in that little Child:
It sends Him away; there is no room
For His face so sweet and mild;
They would turn Him out if they only could,
To the storm so rude and wild.

Come to the manger in Bethlehem,
Never mind the frost and snow,
We will think of the Child, and the thought of Him
Shall warm us as we go;
We will kiss His Holy Hands and Feet,
And tell Him we love Him so!

And the more of the cold world turns Him out,
The more we will take Him in,
When our hearts are full of the Holy Child
They will have no room for sin;
Come to the manger of Bethlehem,
For a sweet Child lies therein.

The children press forward into the stable all eagerness and joy. The Poor Man and Great Lady follow them more slowly looking slightly uncertain. The Youngest Shepherd hangs back.

YS What if I’m wrong and I shouldn’t really be here at all. I’m a nobody, not even a proper shepherd really just a servant to the others, I have nothing to give but my self in service…

And he slowly makes his way into the stable. The Choir lead the audience in Adeste Fideles.

Adeste Fideles
Laeti triumphantes
Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte
Regem angelorum
Venite adoremus
Dominum

Cantet nunc io
Chorus angelorum
Cantet nunc aula caelestium
Gloria, gloria
In excelsis Deo
Venite adoremus
Dominum

Ergo qui natus
Die hodierna
Jesu, tibi sit gloria
Patris aeterni
Verbum caro factus
Venite adoremus
Dominum

Curtain falls. End of Scene 4.

Last edited by Nell on Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:35 pm; edited 1 time in total

#64: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:27 pm

Oooooooh. Poor boy.

Lovely.

#65: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 3:38 pm

Thanks Nell. Very Happy

Your pass the parcel sound like it was a bundle of fun Rolling Eyes

#66: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:24 pm

Awwww, how lovely. Laughing

(happy tears)

#67: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:12 pm

Lovely, Nell. This is the most Christmassy thing I've experienced this year.

#68: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2004 9:49 pm

Thankyou Nell this is lovely.

As for the tearful 6 year olds - sounds pretty normal!! Rather you than me though Confused

I'm sure they loved the shepherds' story anyway Smile

#69: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:33 pm

This is the last post. Thank you all for your comments, I'm glad you've enjoyed it and that it's worked. Thank you to Ally, Lesley and Josie for encouraging me to post it. This last scene is very visual so I hope it works (Ally says it does so its her fault! Wink

) Enjoy!

SCENE FIVE: Inside the Stable. The greatest miracle of all.

Interior of the stable very simply done, an old wooden trough filled with hay stands at the back, in front of it are gathered Mary holding the child, and Joseph. They are flanked by two Archangels and gathered around them are Child Angels while at the Madonna’s feet is a tiny cherub. To the right and at the back stands the welcoming Archangel with his lilies.

YS (offstage) Sleep, holy Babe! Upon Thy mother's breast
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky
How sweet it is to see Thee lie
In such a place of rest
In such a place of rest!

Sleep, holy Babe! Thine angels watch around
All bending low with folded wings
Before Th' incarnate King of kings
In rev'rent awe profound
In rev'rent awe profound

Sleep! Holy Babe! While I with Mary gaze
In joy upon that Face awhile,
Upon the loving infant smile
Which there Divinely plays.
Which there Divinely plays.

Sleep! Holy Babe! Ah! Take Thy brief repose;
Too quickly will Thy slumbers break,
And Thou to lengthened pains awake
That Death alone shall close.
That Death alone shall close.

One by one, the worshippers steal in. First the shepherds came offering their crooks; then the Wise Men with their symbolical gifts; then the children eagerly lay their treasured possessions before the Holy Child and His Mother. The poor Man has only his old blunt knife, but it is offered and accepted; the Lady tears off her jewels and piles them at the Madonna’s feet. They take up places and attitudes of worship to the left and right of the central group.

The Youngest Shepherd enters last of all. He has nothing to give but himself. Humbly he knees, a strain of music swells out as the Madonna rises, queenly, to her feet, and holds out to him a silver crook.

Mary Your reward. For yours was the greatest gift of them all. You shared the message with others and brought them with you to worship.

Choir
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining;
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all!

Say, shall we yield Him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine?
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation,
Vainly with gifts would His favour secure;
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration,
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Curtain falls.

THE END.

#70: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:38 pm

Wow.

(crying but happy)

That works. Wonderful carol to finish with, and those last two lines, perfect.

Thank you.

#71: Author: Gem, Location: Saltash, Cornwall (holidays), Aberystwyth (termtime from September)

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 1:56 pm

The entire nativity was beautiful, Nell - thank you Kiss

*feeling all fuzzy and warm and Christmassy*

*may stop procrastinating from wrapping presents now*

#72: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:48 pm

Thank you Nell Very Happy

I feel all Christmassy now!!

#73: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 4:28 pm

Beautiful. I could see the final scene and the young shepherd was so sweet and humble.

Thank you Nell

*Another one warm and fuzzy*

#74: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:00 pm

Nell, that was beautiful!!!

#75: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:48 pm

And another person feeling warm and fuzzy

I do miss seeing the nativity play now that the kids have all got to high school

#76: Author: Helen P, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 8:51 pm

Thankyou Nell, yes it did work, and now I feel all warm and fuzzy too!

#77: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2004 10:38 pm

Wonderful from start to finish Nell.

Thanks Very Happy

#78: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 7:41 am

Wonderful. Thank you Nell.

#79: Author: Rachael,

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:26 am

That was wonderful, Nell and so original - I will definitely be looking forward to your next drabble ...

#80: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:18 pm

You mean you want another one? Rolling Eyes

#81: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:31 pm

that was fantastic.....

and of course we'd like another one!!!! she never writes them out in full.....unlike the pantomimes....

and you could always do the nativity play for my drabble - i'm a touch stuck for ideas at the moment!

#82: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 12:11 am

Thank you Nell that was wonderful. It has really helped me to feel Christmassy.

#83: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:47 am

Thank you, Nell! Very Happy

*singing along with carols*
(wish I knew them all....)

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