Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. július-december (23. évfolyam, 27-52. szám)

1940-12-12 / 50. szám

December 12, 1940

Verhovayak Lapja

Characters in Miss Vargo’s Short Christmas Play

■ ■ —____________________

The Angels. The center angel is little Miss Irene Vargo who has been contributing angelic verses to the Children’s Page.

“The First Christmas Presents”

Bv MARGARET VARGO

Branch 312 Idamay, West Virginia

Characters

Four Shepherds

Shepherd’s Son

Five Angels

Three Wise Men

Mary

Joseph

Chorus

SCENE ONE

(Just before the curtains are drawn, the Chorus sings “The First Noel.” On the stage are discovered the chief shepherd and his small son. The boy is asleep.)

First Shepherd: (moving restlessly, trying to fall asleep): Ho, hum! I wish I could sleep! Time was when I could sleep anywhere and could fall asleep the moment I would lie down, and now, I try one position after another to induce sleep, but I just can't sleep. Well, I am getting old. My bones are tired and weary. Well, I believe I’ll try to lie on my barck. (Lies still a while.) Son, how I envy you for the sound, peaceful sleep which you are now enjoying. It reminds me of the way I slept in my younger days. Well, maybe I can talk myself to sleep—I should have tried this method sooner. I’m glad I’m finally getting drowsy. (Quiet, Then angels begin to hum “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.”

I He finally sits up and listens as humming becomes more distinct. Then he goes over to his son, trying to awaken liim by shaking him.) Wake uj.! WAKE UP! Can you hear the singing I hear?

Son: (finally becoming aroused): I can’t hear a thing. You must have been dreaming, Father.

Shepherd: No, I wasn’t. I wasn’t even sleeping. People don’t dream while they’re awake.

Son: (listening very attentively). Oh, yes, I hear it now. It is very beautiful singing. I wonder who it could be, way out here in the fields where there is no one except the shepherds and the sheep we watch. (Words can now be distinguished—“Peace on the Earth,” etc.)

Shepherd: I think you had better go and awaken all the shepherds, seal, so we can investigate what this is we hear.

(Son exits left. Shepherd looks after him. Shepherds can be heal’d grumbling as they enter.)

Second Shepherd: What’s the idea of getting us up at this time of the night? (Enters one angel.)

First Shepherd: I want you to hear the singing I’ve been hearing.

(While he speaks, the

third shepherd notices the angel and nudges his companions. They look frightened, and thejy begin to run out, with their eyes still on the angel.)

It sounds like— (He sees the angel and falls on his knees. The other shepherds do likewise.)

Angel: Fear not, shepherds, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy that shall be to all the people: for this day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. Follow that star. (She points to illuminated star.) And this shall be a sign unto you: You shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. (Enter the other angels.)

Angels: (in concert):

Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will toward Men. (Angels sing “Peace on the Earth,” etc. Exit.)

Third Shepherd: They’re gerne! But what they have told us! Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us.

Fourth Shepherd: Yes, we should. And don’t you think that it would be appropriate to take the Infant a gift of some kind?

First Shepherd: Yes, let’s do that. I know we haven’t much here, but I think I shall take that dear little Dmb we all like so much. Jesus can have it for a pet when he grows older.

Third Shepherd: Let us all look around and see what we can find to take to our new born Saviour. (Exit.)

CURTAIN.

i

SCENE TWO

(Before the curtains are drawn, Chorus sings “O Come, All Ye Faithful”; When Nativity scene is discovered, Chorus sings three verses of “Silent Night.” On the stage are: the angels, Mary and Joseph by the manger, and the shepherds.)

Son: (to Mary): May I please stand here and look at the baby? He is such a pretty little baby. (Mary smilingly nods.)

First Shepherd: (going to manger and kneeling): Dear little Infant, we are but poor humble shepherds who have come to adore You. We wish to pay You a tribute by bringing You gifts. Of course, our presents are very simple, since we have few things ourselves. But I have brought something which is quite dear to all of us—a precious little lamb. When Jesus grows older he can play with the lamb.

(Mary acknowledges the gift by nodding.)

Second Shepherd: My comrades and I have also brought a few little things we have. Here, accept this little bell. He will like to hear it tinkle.

Third Shepherd: Among my prized possessions is this cushion my wife made for me. I give it now to our Saviour so he may rest his adorable head on it.

Fourth Shepherd: In my spare moments I have made this little chair for my small son. I know it is crude, but Jesus will, I think, enjoy rocking himself in it when He is larger. I’ll have time enough to make another just like it for my son.

Mary: You shepherds have indeed been very kind, and in Jesus’ name I want to thank you very much for your practical gifts. I want to tell you that your gifts are sincerely appreciated.

Joseph: When you came here and offered your humble gifts you seemed a bit apologetic about not bringing better presents. I wish to tell you that you have brought the most wonderful gifts possible. You’ve each given something that was precious to you. It’s not WHAT you have given but what you have SHARED, i and the way in which you parted with your gifts, that counts. You have given with an adoring affection coming from the veiy bottom of your kind hearts and clean souls.

(The Wise Men enter. They sing the first verse of “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” The remaining three verses are sung as solos with each of the Wise Men presenting his gift at the conclusion of his verse.)

(Entire Cast and Chorus sing—“Joy to the World.”) CURTAIN.--------------------O-------------------ATTENTION. BRANCH 362 Dayton, Ohio

The last regular meeting of Branch 362 for the year

1940 will be held Sunday, December 15th, beginning at 2 p. m., at St. Emerick’s Hell.

Election of officers for

1941 and a general discussion of a program for the coming year will be the order of the day.

A good turnout is expected, and every member interested in the welfare of the branch and in Verhovay should do his and her best to attend.

Please do not forget the dcte, time and place.

Fraternally,

JOSEPH H, PRINCE, M. D President.

Page 5

CLASSIC CORNER

By CAROLE KING

Branch 430, Homestead, Pa.

Fi’anz Schubert

Schubert’s music is the glory of German music, for he advanced the song to its greatest degree of perfection.

Almost every great mind is in advance of its time, and this applied to Schubert who lived only for his successors. Early in his life his hopes were chilled by lack of recognition in the musical world. Long after his death, men realized that in his works they had been left a glorious legacy. It was his misfortune to live in an era when musicians were plentiful, and cliques reigned.

Schubert was a true son of the people. His mother was a mechanic’s daughter; his father had a school in Vienna where, on the last day of January 1797, Schubert was born. His life was not an easy one, and when work was the hardest and most distasteful, it was then that he found the most pleasure in composing, for his moments of leisure were rare.

His life passed humbly and uneventfully. The quickness of his imagination and the irresistible manner in which melody appeared to him were remarkable. One afternoon Schubert was sitting in a Viennese tavern. The surroundings were not the best. There were the everlasting clatter of dishes and beer mugs and the raucous voices of men. Schubert was lazily glancing at a volume of Shakespeare, laughing and drinking the while. His fancy was attracted by a few verses, and he said: “I have the prettiest melody in my head for these lines, if only I had the price of ruled paper.” Lines were drawn on the back of a menu, and so was born “Hark, Hark, the Lark,” a divine melody, a melody that embodies the delicate dream of passion and tenderness that is in the heart.

Schubert never married. He detested the company of women for whom he had no affection, yet what could be more romantic, more beautiful than the quiet lilting strains of “Serenade,” or more effective than his dramatic “Eil-König”?

Franz Schubert died October 19, 1828, just after he had written his greatest symphony, the only one he nevei’ heard, the “Symphony in C.”

The Entire Cast, Including Chorus