GIRLS CHRISTMAS PLAYS - *Classic Kids Christmas Plays*
A CHRISTMAS BELL
This drill may be given by eight little girls provided with wands. At the top of each wand are tacked three streamers of red, white, and blue ribbon or cambric. At the end of each streamer a little tinkling bell is sewed. The children sing, and wave wands in time to the music. The words may be sung to the tune of "Lightly Row."
Sweetly chime, sweetly chime,
Happy bells of Christmas time;
Sweetly chime, sweetly chime,
Christ the Lord is born.
Christ is born, our Saviour dear,
Joyous words we love to hear;
Sweetly chime, sweetly chime,
Christ the Lord is born.
Between first and second verses, all march singing same tune to "Tra la la."—"Tra la la," wands waving, up, down, right, left, up, down, right left, throughout. Resume places and sing second verse.
Sweetly chime, sweetly chime,
Happy bells of Christmas time;
Sweetly chime, sweetly chime,
Glory be to God.
Let us carol sweetly then,
Peace on earth, good will to men;
Sweetly chime, sweetly chime,
Christ the Lord is born.
All march out, singing, and waving wands
A CHRISTMAS LULLABY
(The children are seated in little rocking-chairs, each holding a doll dressed in a long white gown. They rock slowly in time to the music. At first
1. "hushaby" they raise forefinger of right hand, as if to insure silence.
2. Kiss dolls.
3. Very softly.
4. Lay dolls in small cradles, standing near.
5. At "hush" raise forefinger of right hand warningly.
6. Very softly.
7. Rock cradles slowly in time to music, children kneeling on floor.
8. Turn toward audience.
9. Very softly.
The words are adapted to the music of the familiar hymn. "Silent Night.")
Hushaby, hushaby, (1)
Christmas stars are in the sky;
Sweet the bells of Christmas eve,—
Babies, each a kiss receive,—(2)
Hushaby, good-night,
Hushaby, good-night! (3)
Lullaby, lullaby,
Babies in their cradles lie; (4)
Every one in white is gowned,
Hush, make not a single sound! (5)
Lullaby, good-night,
Lullaby, good-night! (6)
Rockaby, rockaby,
Christmas-tide draweth nigh; (7)
Quiet now the tiny feet,
Babies sleep so still and sweet,—
Sweetest dreams, good-night, (8)
Sweetest dreams, good-night! (9)
A Christmas Party
(CHARACTERS: 2005, a bent and feeble old man with skull-cap and white beard, leaning on a cane. The number 2005 across his forehead or breast. South Wind, a slender brunette in veil, mantle, and cape of green cheese cloth, cape belted down in the back. As she enters she flourishes her arms to throw out veil and cape. Messenger, in lettered uniform. Four Heralds, uniformed somewhat like messenger. Nine Fairies, very small girls. Coronets of silver paper. Flowing robes of cheese cloth with angel sleeves worn over clothing sufficiently warm for the season. Colors to present the plants whose leaves they carry. Silver belts, shoe-buckles, and necklaces. Leaves cut from green paper, and letters from gilt. Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Knight Rupert, and Babousca in appropriate costumes. Nine Children, in ordinary clothes. North Wind, East Wind, and West Wind in costumes similar to South Wind, but varying in color,—white for north, blue for east, and red for west. The Winds stand behind St. Nicholas and keep up a restless blowing; that is, a fluttering and ballooning of capes and veils by flourishing arms.)
2005:
I'm growing old and feeble,
So much excitement's wrong;
Folks should have had their Christmas
When I was young and strong.
Instead of that, they take it
When I really ought to rest.
My last days should be peaceful
But—Father Time knows best
And now I must be stirring,
And call for Santa Claus;
I almost dread his coming,
There's always such a noise.
The winds shall be my heralds—
Come, North Wind, where are you?
Just whisper to old Santa
That here he'll soon be due.
Now while I am about it,
Perhaps it would be best
To call that windy herald
Whose home is in the west.
(Enter South Wind)
Here comes my daughter, South Wind.
South Wind:
I'm almost out of breath,
I really fear the North Wind
Intends to be my death.
2005:
I'll bid him treat you kindly;
He should not be so rough;
He's getting much too boisterous,
I know that well enough.
You're all here now but East Wind
I'll call for him again.
Messenger (entering):
The East Wind says his health demands
A little snow or rain.
2005:
Well, well, just tell the storm clouds
To send us rain or snow.
(Snowflakes begin to fall, seen through a window,—cotton or bits of paper)
Well done! Now are you ready
Upon your way to go?
For some one must be bidding
Knight Rupert come this way,
To give the German children
Their presents, Christmas day.
And then there's old Babousca—
In Russia she'll be found;
Kriss Kringle and St. Nicholas,
They, too, must both be round.
Heralds:
We know where each one liveth,
Full soon they shall appear.
We go to do your bidding.
Farewell, farewell, Old Year.
(Exit Heralds. Enter Fairies)
2005:
Bless me! what little people!
(Speaks to first one.)
Why, who are you, my dear?
I ne'er before have seen you.
What are you doing here?
Fairies:
Oh, we are little fairies
From out the ether blue.
Here is a Christmas posy
We are bringing unto you.
And the initial letters
Will a starry chaplet make.
Each trusts you will receive it,
And wear it for her sake.
Christmas First Fairy (pointing to first leaf in chaplet):
This is for Cypress.
Second Fairy: And this for Holly.
Third Fairy: And this for Rose of Jericho.
Fourth Fairy: And this for Ivy.
Fifth Fairy: And this for Speedwell.
Sixth Fairy: And this for Thyme.
Seventh Fairy: And this for Mistletoe.
Eighth Fairy: And this for the quivering Aspen.
Ninth Fairy: And this for Star of Bethlehem.
(They place chaplet upon the head of 2005.)
2005:
Here's thanks, my little people,
For this your posy sweet;
Your loving thought has surely
Made my happiness complete.
(Enter Kriss Kringle, Santa Claus, Prince Rupert, and Babousca.)
Why here is old Kriss Kringle;
And Santa's coming, too;
Knight Rupert and Babousca,
I welcome both of you.
And from the frozen Northland,
I see a-riding down
The cheery old St. Nicholas,
Clad in his friar's gown.
Stage movement
(Enter St. Nicholas.)
(Enter children, singing. They march around the stage, and finally stop in front of 2005 and the others.)
See how the children, so happy and gay,
Come marching together this glad Christmas day.
Children:
With hands on our heads, while the bells sweetly chime,
All blithely we're keeping the glad Christmas time.
Marching and singing, so gayly we go,
Turning and winding in lines to and fro.
Clap all together, and sing, sing away,
So merrily keeping this glad Christmas day.
2005:
Oh, children, little children,
You're welcome here alway;
I'm glad to see you coming
To keep our Christmas day.
(Bells outside.)
Oh, children, little children,
Why do the joy-bells chime?
(Singing heard outside. The following words, to the tune of "Ring, Ye Happy Christmas Bells.")
Carol, O ye children all,
With no thought of sadness;
Welcome in the Christmas time
With your songs of gladness.
Chorus—Sing, O sing,
Bells all ring,
Let us now be merry,
Let us welcome Christmas day
With our songs so cheery.
2005:
Hark, how the winds are blowing,
What music do they bring.
Children:
You hear the little children
Their Christmas carols sing.
2005:
O children, little children,
What light is that afar?
Children:
'Tis shining from the heavens,
A glorious Christmas star.
2005:
O children, little children,
What means its glorious rays?
And why is Christmas better
Than many other days?
Children:
Oh, don't you know the story
Of the first Christmas time?
Then listen, we will tell it,
While the bells so sweetly chime.
First child:
We count the years by hundreds
Since that first Christmas day.
When in a lowly manger
The little Christ-child lay.
Second child:
That night some shepherds tending
Their flocks upon the hill,
Heard heavenly voices singing,
"Peace, peace! On earth, good will."
Third child:
All bright as noon-tide splendor.
A light about them shone,
While louder sang the angels,
"A Saviour hath been born!"
Fourth child:
And then a sudden darkness—
The voices died away,
The wondering shepherds hurried
To where the young Child lay.
Fifth child:
Their flocks were all untended,
While filled with love and awe,
They bent above the manger
And the Baby Jesus saw.
Sixth child:
Then, too, the wise men watching
Beheld a star that shone,
In the blue heavens above them
To tell that Christ was born.
Seventh child:
And with their camels laden
With spices and gold.
They came from eastern countries
The young King to behold.
Eighth child:
The star still went before them,
And pointing out the way,
It shone upon the stable
Where the Babe of Bethlehem lay
Ninth child:
And then, all lowly bending,
They worshipped the young King,
And gave him from their treasures
Full many an offering.
Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Kriss Kringle, etc.:
O children we have numbered
Long centuries since then,
But we see at every Christmas
That little Child again.
And we bring to all good children
In memory of that time,
Some pretty Christmas present,
While the joy-bells gayly chime.
2005:
O children, little children,
I soon must pass away,
But 'tis good to have the memory
Of this blessed Christmas day.
Santa Claus and others:
We, too, must now be going.
And as we march along,
O let us sing together
A happy Christmas song.
(All march out singing. Tune "Yankee Doodle.")
O the merry Christmas time
Now is in the way, sir,
Ev'ry sweet and happy chime
Tells of Christmas day, sir.
Chorus.—
Christmas it is coming, now,
Don't you hear the bells, sir?
Happy Christmas time is here,
To the world we tell, sir.
A Christmas Thought
(To be recited with careful regard to smoothness, without a sing-song effect.)
Oh Christmas is coming again, you say,
And you long for the things he is bringing;
But the costliest gift may not gladden the day,
Nor help on the merry bells ringing
Some getting is losing, you understand,
Some hoarding is far from saving;
What you hold in your hand may slip from your hand,
There is something better than having;
We are richer for what we give;
And only by giving we live.
Your last year's presents are scattered and gone;
You have almost forgot who gave them;
But the loving thoughts you bestow live on
As long as you choose to have them.
Love, love is your riches, though ever so poor;
No money can buy that treasure;
Yours always, from robber and rust secure,
Your own, without stint or measure;
It is only love that we can give;
It is only by loving we live.
For who is it smiles through the Christmas morn—
The Light of the wide creation?
A dear little Child in a stable born,
Whose love is the world's salvation.
He was poor on earth, but He gave us all
That can make our life worth the living;
And happy the Christmas day we call
That is spent, for His sake, in giving;
He shows us the way to live,
Like Him. Let us love and give!
A Message
(For three primary children to recite.)
First pupil:
One true thing I have to say,
Clap your hands now, for you may.
It's very happy, very dear,
This Christmas day will soon be here;
But children learn to understand,
That loyal heart and loving hand,
Can pray, "Oh, Saviour, so divine,
Make our lives so much like thine."
Second pupil:
Yes, far away that Christmas night,
A star above the Christ shone bright,
And led the shepherds from afar
To seek that bright and glorious star.
Third pupil:
The shepherds came with presents rare
And knelt with tender love and care,
Before that child so sweet and true,
And loved Him as we all should do;
And that grand song we hear again,
"Peace on earth—good will to men."
Bells Across the Snow
(This poem may be recited by one pupil, or divided as follows:)
First pupil:
Christmas, merry Christmas!
Is it really come again?
With its memories and greetings,
With its joys and with its pain
There's a minor in the carol,
And a shadow in the light,
And a spray of cypress twining
With the holly wreath to-night.
And the hush is never broken
By laughter, light and low,
As we listen in the starlight
To the "bells across the snow."
Second pupil:
Christmas, merry Christmas!
'Tis not so very long
Since other voices blended
With the carol and the song!
If we could but hear them singing
As they are singing now,
If we could but see the radiance
Of the crown on each dear brow;
There would be no sigh to smother,
No hidden tear to flow,
As we listen in the starlight
To the "bells across the snow."
Third pupil:
O Christmas, merry Christmas!
This never more can be;
We cannot bring again the days
Of our unshadowed glee.
But Christmas, happy Christmas,
Sweet herald of good will,
With holy songs of glory,
Brings holy gladness still.
For peace and hope may brighten,
And patient love may glow,
As we listen in the starlight
To the "bells across the snow."
Charity - An Acrostic Recital
Seven little girls daintily dressed carry a bell in the right hand, with the initial on it which begins her line. The bells are rung lightly during the speaking
First child: Cheerily ring the Christmas bells!
Second child: How joyfully their jingling tells
Third child: All peace and kindness on the earth,
Fourth child: Ringing out, singing out, laughing with mirth!
Fifth child: In every home is joy profound,
Sixth child: The echo of this merry sound.
Seventh child: Yet Charity must remembered be
And that is why we have this tree.
Christmas Eve
A recital for older students:
Outside my window whirls the icy storm,
And beats upon its panes with fingers white;
Within, my open fire burns bright and warm,
And sends throughout the room its ruddy light.
Low on the hearth my good grimalkin lies,
His supple, glossy limbs outstretched along;
Now gently sleeps with softly closèd eyes,
Now, half awakened, purrs his even-song.
Near to the fire, touched by its gentle heat,
A silent, welcome friend, my armchair stands.
Its cushioned depths invite me to its seat,
And promise rest for weary head and hands.
Within its depths mine eyes unheeded close,
And comes to me a vision wondrous sweet.
Such sights and sounds no wakeful hours disclose
As then my resting, dreaming senses greet.
I am where gentle shepherds on the plain
Keep sleepless, faithful watch o'er resting sheep;
I hear them chant the Psalmist's sweet refrain,
That Israel's God will sure his promise keep.
Then quick the air is full of heav'nly song,
And radiant light illumines all the ground,
While angel voices sweet the strain prolong,
And angel faces shine in glory round.
I see the shepherds' faces pale with fear,
Then glow with joy and glad surprise, for then
"Glory to God!" from angel lips they hear,
And "Peace on earth good will to men."
And then the light marks out a shining way,
And swift the shepherds are the path to take.
I long to go! O laggard feet, why stay?
Alas! the vision fades, and I awake.
Within, the smold'ring fire is burning dim;
Without, the whirl and beat of storm have ceased.
I still can hear the angels' peaceful hymn,
And know the vision hath my peace increased.
