68 SUZY: Hit it, Max! (lights dim, music begins to "Silent Night! Holy Night!")
(Max is holding one single flashlight, with a homemade star hanging off a coat hanger. Max proudly shines his light on Suzy, who wears a dish cloth on her head and is looking at her stuffed bear who is wrapped up and in a shoe box that says "Manger." She sings to her baby)
MAX:
(shyly, slowly reading from a kid's Bible, beginning at m. 29) "So Joseph also went up from the town of Naza . . . naza-reth . . . to Bethlehem. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger. (Swallowing) And there were shepherds living out in the fields . . . an angel of the Lord appeared to them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ, the Lord."
(As Max reads the story, everyone puts down their distractions and sits or stands listening to him. Optional: at end, they all sing "Silent Night" a cappella)
SUZY: You like my secret, Mommy? I made an entry for the contest, too!
MAYOR: Well . . . of course, I like it, sweetheart. SUZY:
(upbeat) It was a good secret, huh? MAYOR:
(hugging her) Yes, Suzy- a beautiful secret. (music to "Silent Night! Holy Night!" ends)
You were right all along—I should have let you show me your secret sooner. I'm afraid that we have been so caught up in all the lights and production of making Christmas bigger and better, we were too busy to stop and really remember what we were singing about.
MITCH: HOLLY: CANDIE: SUZY:
A baby in a manger. (music begins to "Hope Has Come") Emmanuel. God with us.
(big smile on her face) Jesus.
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