Act 2 — MANGER SERVICE
Reading edition
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!"
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Sheet Music: [pdf]
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(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.