It has been thought worth while, therefore, in this age of Pageants, to print and publish the text of a play which has for its object the furthering of devotion to the Nativity of our Blessed Lord, and which has been put to the test of actual performance before a mixed assembly, in the hope that others perhaps may venture upon a task which to its original promoters has appeared at least to justify its inception. Full directions are given in appendices as to the methods by which the staging was accomplished and the properties constructed, as well as, in the text itself, minute stage directions as to the movements of the actors. Realism and passion have been studiously avoided in the training of these; and in their place a kind of slow and deliberate simplicity has been arrived at throughout. There was practically no attempt made to disguise the faces of the actors, except in the matter of a brown stain applied to the faces and hands of a few, and of two or three beards in the cases of old men. In case, however, that the recommendations given in the book do not seem sufficient to others, the author will be happy to answer any questions that he can. The present edition contains illustrations, appendices, and stage directions; a cheaper acting edition shortly to be issued will contain only the words with a few necessary remarks. The collection from which the carols are taken is one compiled by Dr. Stainer and the Rev. H. R. Bramley, under the title “Christmas Carols, New and Old.” It is published with music by Novello. Acknowledgments are made in the proper places. An admirable orchestral effect may be produced by the use of a piano and an American organ played together. The play as a whole does not aspire to be considered a literary production; it is only published as a practicable drama. _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ_ MARY. JOSEPH. TOBIAS (_Landlord of Inn at Bethlehem_). DAVID (_his servant_). ZACHARY } EZRA } _Three Shepherds._ BEN-EZRA } ELIPHAZ } NADAB } _Three Merchants._ UZZIEL } MARTHA (_A Child_). ABEL (_her brother_). ANGELS (_four_). HERALD (_An Angel_). _SCENES_ I. _Road outside Bethlehem._ II. _The Kitchen of the Inn._ III. _Hills outside Bethlehem._ IV. _Interior of the Stable._ V. _The same._ NOTE.—In the stage directions throughout, “R.” = right of actor who faces the audience, and “L.” = his left. [Illustration] PROLOGUE _Before curtain rises there is sung_— God rest you merry, gentlemen,[1] Let nothing you dismay; Remember Christ our Saviour Was born on Christmas Day, To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray. _Chorus._ O! tidings of comfort and joy.