Chapter XI: Epilogue: Priest--Levite--Samaritan--which of these three,

thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among
thieves?

(EPILOGUE _passes out._)

MANGER SERVICE

THE PEOPLE

THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS ANGELS.
THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS KINGS.
THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS SHEPHERDS.
FIVE LITTLE GIRLS.
THE CLASS BEARING GIFTS.

THE PLACE

The chancel of the church, or platform.

THE PROPERTIES

A manger filled with hay, in center of chancel.
A big star on a pole.
Shepherd's crooks.
A hood.
Mittens.
A doll.
A toy.
Stockings filled with gifts.

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.

MANGER SERVICE

(_The_ CHILDREN _robed as_ ANGELS _enter the chancel. They pause before manger._)

FIRST ANGEL:
Why is this manger filled with hay,
Placed here? Surely it stood one day
In 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 three_ SHEPHERDS, _then the three_ KINGS, _bearing the star, then the five little_ GIRLS, _then the_ CLASS _bearing gifts, and lastly the_ CHOIR (_if there is a choir._))

_Song_: Music, "ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!"

[Song:
Onward, children, on-ward,
Marching as we sing:
Gifts un-to the Christ-Child
We are car-ry-ing.
On-ward, children, on-ward,
Till the light we see.
Like the Christmas shep-herds
Shepherds too are we.
]

REFRAIN

[Song:
On-ward, child-ren, on-ward,
Fol-low-ing the star,
Coming like the Wise Men:
We the Wise Men are. A-men.
]

(_They reach the chancel. The_ ANGELS _question 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?

CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_):
It was the shepherds who first, they say,
Beheld the Child in the manger,
Beheld the Child in the manger.

(_The three_ SHEPHERDS _enter chancel and recite._)

SHEPHERDS:
We come as the shepherds came that day
To see where the baby Jesus lay.
And we pray
The 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!

CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_):
Led by such wonderful light afar,
The wise kings found the manger,
The wise kings found the manger.

(_The three_ KINGS _enter chancel and recite._)

KINGS:
We come as the wise kings came, they say,
Following ever the star-lit way;
And we pray
The light shine in our hearts this Christmas day.

ANGELS (_sing_):
Children, 'tis two thousand years
Since the kings and shepherd seers
Found that Baby sleeping.
Where the wise men of to-day?

CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_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 little_ GIRLS _enter chancel._)

FIRST LITTLE GIRL (_holding up a stocking filled with toys_):
Years ago in a manger bare
A Baby lay.
He lived a life so wondrous fair,
He showed the way.
And as he bade, we'd like to give
On Christmas day.

SECOND LITTLE GIRL (_holding up hood and mittens_):
With other children we would share
Our 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 child
To 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. The_ CLASS _comes 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 by_ Christina 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!"

THE END.

[Transcriber's note Italics are rendered with underscores; e.g. _italics_. Small caps are rendered as ALL CAPS.]