Northrop Collegiate School - Tatler Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 21 text:

The Christmas Play THIS year the Christmas play was an exquisite story written by Miss Carsc. The school has never witnessed a more beautiful performance. It is Christmas eve. In a small house in a small German village the mother has finished her tasks for the night and, in the fading light beside the warm fire, sits down to rock her child as she awaits the return of her husband from his farm work. Her song grows slower and slower, until both mother and child are asleep. With a flash of warm light an angel appears—a children’s angel with flowers in her long hair. She bids the child come with her to see the place where, years before, the Christ was born, and the child, in mute adoration, follows the lovely apparition. In the hills of Bethlehem stand the child and its celestial guide, who calls to other little children. From far and near they come, in their little white nightgowns, holding tiny lighted candles. Soft voices of shepherds arc heard in the distance. As they wonder at the strange new light a great voice resounds bidding them go to Bethlehem to find the Messiah. As they proceed, the shimmering sound of camels’ bells and the soft thud of hoofs announce the approach of three kings. The voice bids them go likewise to Bethlehem and. humbled, they pass upon their way. The children and the angel arc now before the manger, where Mary is kneeling in adoration of the Child. With them are grouped the shepherds and the kings, who sing softly as they kneel. With wondering face, Mary repeats the magnificat and then, realizing her audience, bids them receive this king 3S their own, and gives a blessing in His name to all who shall learn to love Him. Now we are back in the peasant cottage. Christmas bells arc ringing clear across the snow-crystaled world, and the mother awakes with a start from her place beside the fire to find her husband just returning with a fine green tree for the Christmas festivities, and bustles about to prepare for church; but the child, still dreaming of her wonderful vision, bids her parents listen to her story. The father and mother kneel as the light becomes dim. and before them is the tableau of the manger—Mary with the Divine Child upon her breast, and the Christmas angel and the little children, Joseph, the shepherds, and the kings before this, their King. Betty Bean Paxf Se ten teen