Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: https://read.jwpepper.com/i/519438
like you, I didn't feel the presence of Christmas anywhere in this foreign place. It made me question a lot of things: my decision to become an Army chaplain, my decision to serve on the other side of the planet, maybe even a little bit of Christmas itself – espe- cially the "peace on earth" part. But then I read a letter, and that changed everything. You'll find it in that book you tossed on the table. (KYLE quickly picks the small Bible up and shakes it.) KYLE: What letter? REV. JAMES: Don't shake the book. And don't go looking for an envelope like the one you found me in. This letter is from a fellow named Luke. (KYLE smiles knowingly, starts to leaf through the Bible.) You'll find the letter about two-thirds of the way through the book. Right after the letter from a guy named Mark, and right be- fore the letter from… KYLE: (breaking in) I know, I know, I know! REV. JAMES: (never missing a beat) … John. But I know you know, Reverend. Even with a semester left. Now it doesn't say "Dear Kyle" any more than it said "Dear Robert" 50 years ago. But it was written to us, just the same. Start with: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree…" (A light comes up on the figure of LUKE, writing at the desk; his lines ini- tially overlap with REV. JAMES's, then LUKE speaks on his own.) (overlapping) (… from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.") LUKE: (… from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.") (REV. JAMES nods, and sits at his table, reading his own Bible, as LUKE continues to read.) "And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee… unto the city of Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child." ]44 (Music starts for "Heaven's Child) (LUKE speaks over Measures 1 – 4.) "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accom- plished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." 123 For Preview Only