The German language is perhaps richer in real Christmas plays, as distinguished from Nativity and Epiphany episodes in great cosmic cycles, than any other. There are some examples in mediaeval manuscripts, but the most interesting are shorter pieces performed in country places in comparatively recent times, and probably largely traditional in substance. Christianity by the fourteenth century had at last gained a real hold upon the German people, or perhaps one should rather say the German people had laid a strong hold upon Christianity, moulding it into something very human and concrete, materialistic often, yet not without spiritual significance. In cradle-rocking and religious dancing at Christmas the instincts of a lusty, kindly race expressed themselves, and the same character is shown in the short popular Christmas dramas collected by Weinhold and others.{29} Many of the little pieces--some are rather duets than plays--were sung or acted in church or by the fireside in the nineteenth century, and perhaps even now may linger in remote places. They are in dialect, and the rusticity of their language harmonizes well with their naive, homely sentiment. In them we behold the scenes of Bethlehem as realized by peasants, and their mixture of rough humour and tender feeling is thoroughly in keeping with the subject. One is made to feel very vividly the amazement of the shepherds at the wondrous and sudden apparition of the angels:-- "_Riepl._ Woas is das fuer a Getuemmel, I versteh mi nit in d'Welt. _Joergl._ Is den heunt eingfalln der Himmel, Fleugn d'Engeln auf unserm Feld? _R._ Thuen Sprueng macha _J._ Von oben acha! |145| _R._ I turft das Ding nit noacha thoan, that mir brechn Hals und Boan."[74]{30} The cold is keenly brought home to us when they come to the manger:-- "_J._ Mei Kind, kanst kei Herberg finden? Muest so viel Frost leiden schoan. _R._ Ligst du under kalden Windeln! Laegts ihm doch a Gwandl oan! _J._ Machts ihm d'Fueess ein, Huellts in zue fein!"[75]{31} Very homely are their presents to the Child:-- "Ein drei Eier und ein Butter Bringen wir auch, nemt es an! Einen Han zu einer Suppen, Wanns die Mutter kochen kann. Giessts ein Schmalz drein, wirds wol guet sein. Weil wir sonsten gar nix han, Sind wir selber arme Hirten, Nemts den guten Willen an."[76]{32} One of the dialogues ends with a curious piece of ordinary human kindliness, as if the Divine nature of the Infant were quite forgotten for the moment:-- "_J._ Bleib halt fein gsund, mein kloans Liebl, Wannst woas brauchst, so komm ze mir. * * * * * _J._ Pfueet di Got halt! |146| _R._ Waer fein gross bald! _J._ Kannst in mein Dienst stehen ein, Wann darzu wirst gross gnue sein."[77]{33}