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We had a wonderful experience getting some of the Brethren's children and grandchildren together and performing this for our Christmas "Wives, Widows and Past Master's Evening." The tears flowed freely.
Setting: A Masonic lodge room.
Cast: Narrator, Joseph, Mary, Innkeeper 1, Innkeeper 2, Shepherd 1, Shepherd 2, Shepherd 3, The Angel, The Heavenly Host & sheep (the brethren)
Props & Costumes: Program with the "Glory to God" quote and the words to "Silent Night", Text sheet for the Angel, Manger, Foot Stool, Barrier (stall fence), Clothing, Blanket, Doll, Swaddling clothes, Four shepherd staffs, "The donkey" (a decorated wagon?), Star made to fit around the "G"
Preparation: (Copies of the program are prepared and distributed. The Audience will be sitting around the sides of the room. Leave clear space between the altar and the east. Leave clear passage from the preparation room to the altar, south, secretary's desk, and east. The lodge room will be dark except the lights over the altar and in the east. The empty manger and the fence section are in the east with the doll hidden near by. The 'G' is surrounded by a foil star, bent to catch the light, but is dark. The master's podium is moved to the north side and his stone and gavel are placed on the secretary's table. The stool is placed on the west side of the altar. Angel's text is placed on the altar. Narrator advances and stands to the side of the manger, facing audience. Innkeeper 1 goes to Junior Warden's station. Innkeeper 2 goes to secretary's place.)
Narrator: (to Audience) And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
(Joseph & Mary enter from the preparation room. Joseph with a staff. Mary riding the donkey with the blanket and swaddling clothes)
Joseph (to Mary) (ad lib) Come Mary, we have to go.
Mary (to Joseph) (ad lib) Yes Joseph.
(Joseph & Mary progress towards Junior Warden's station in the south)
Narrator (to Audience) And Joseph also went up from Galilee unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
(Joseph & Mary arrive in the south)
Mary (to Joseph) (ad lib) Joseph, I am so tired.
Joseph (to Mary) (ad lib) Here is an inn. Let us see if there is room for us.
(Joseph knocks with the gavel)
Innkeeper 1 (to Joseph) (ad lib) What do you want?
Joseph (to Innkeeper 1) (ad lib) Hello. My name is Joseph. This is Mary. We are very tired. Do you have room for us?
Innkeeper 1 (to Joseph) (ad lib) No, I don't. Every room is full of taxpayers. I have no room for you.
Joseph (to Innkeeper 1) (ad lib) Thank you, sir. (to Mary) (ad lib) Come, Mary. Let us go.
Mary (to Joseph) (ad lib) Don't worry. We will be fine, Joseph.
(Joseph & Mary progress towards secretary's desk)
Mary (to Joseph) (ad lib) Joseph, I think the baby will come soon.
Joseph (to Mary) (ad lib) OK, Mary. I see another inn ahead. Maybe they will have room for us there.
(Joseph & Mary arrive at the secretary's desk)
Mary (to Joseph) (ad lib) Joseph, it is time for the baby.
Joseph (to Mary) (ad lib) I hope this inn has room for us.
(Joseph knocks with the gavel)
Innkeeper 2 (to Joseph) (ad lib) What do you want?
Joseph (to Innkeeper 2) (ad lib) My name is Joseph. This is Mary. She is going to have a baby very soon. We are very tired. Please, do you have room for us?
Innkeeper 2 (to Joseph) (ad lib) I'm sorry. I don't. I have no room for you.
Joseph (to Innkeeper 2) (ad lib) Thank you, sir. (to Mary) (ad lib) Mary, what will we do?
Innkeeper 2 (to Joseph) (ad lib) I see that you are in trouble. If you want, you can sleep in my stable.
Joseph (to Mary) (ad lib) Is that all right with you?
Mary (to Joseph) (ad lib) Yes, Joseph. It will be all right. (to Innkeeper 2) (ad lib) Thank you for your kindness.
(Joseph & Mary proceed to the east, drape the blanket over the fence, sit behind the fence and prepare the doll.)
Narrator (to Audience) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes ...
(Mary & Joseph stand with the wrapped doll, move to the manger, place the baby in the manger and watch over him. Turn on the lighted star when the baby goes into the manger.)
Narrator (to Audience) ... and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Shepherds begin to enter from the preparation room, carrying staffs and pretending to herd their "sheep" while the brethren make low sheep noises which continue until the "angel" appears.)
Narrator (Wait until shepherds get to the area between altar and the east) (to Audience) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over the flock by night.
(Angel walks quickly to altar and stands on stool, facing the shepherds. The shepherds approach the east side of the altar and kneel in its presence. Sheep become silent.)
Narrator (to Audience) And, Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Angel (to Shepherds) Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David ...
(Angel points to the star, the shepherds stand and look to the east.)
Angel (to Shepherds) ... a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
(Brethren stand, Shepherds look around the room.)
Narrator (to Audience) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying ...
Brethren (in Unison) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.
Shepherd 1 (to other Shepherds) (ad lib) Let us go to Bethlehem and see this baby.
(Shepherds approach the east. Angel returns to preparation room. Brethren are seated.)
Narrator (After the angel leaves and after brethren are seated) (to Audience) And they found Mary, and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.
(Shepherds kneel at the manger and look at the baby for a time. They get up and return to the preparation room, telling people in the audience about the angel and the baby.)
Shepherds (to various people in the Audience) Ad lib comments. "We saw an angel. It said the Savior was born tonight. We saw Him in Bethlehem."
Narrator (after Shepherds have left the room) (to Audience) What uncountable blessings came to the world with the birth of one little Child, born of poor parents in an obscure nook in a small country long ago, and who, without sword or pen, divided the history of man into before and after. Here shines a light that can never fail, revealing the Spirit of God and the meaning of life, making mother and child forever sacred, and softening the hard heart of the world. God is not off up in the sky, but near by, even in our hearts if we are wise enough to make room for Him. Will you stand and sing "Silent Night" with me?
(Wait for everyone to stand. Cast members return to the area between the altar and east and kneel.)
All Sing "Silent Night"
Narrator (Turns to face the manger, pauses a second or two.) (towards Manger but loud enough for the Audience to hear.) May God bless us every one.
(Pause three to five seconds. Lights on.)
The End
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