(_The_ EPILOGUE _advances._) EPILOGUE: Priest--Levite--Samaritan--which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among thieves? (EPILOGUE _passes out._) MANGER SERVICE THE PEOPLE THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS ANGELS. THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS KINGS. THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS SHEPHERDS. FIVE LITTLE GIRLS. THE CLASS BEARING GIFTS. THE PLACE The chancel of the church, or platform. THE PROPERTIES A manger filled with hay, in center of chancel. A big star on a pole. Shepherd's crooks. A hood. Mittens. A doll. A toy. Stockings filled with gifts. At the beginning of Advent each child, who so desires, is given a stocking with its mate tucked in the toe, and the name of some child, who would go without the joys of a Christmas stocking, if this stocking were not filled. Manger Sunday, the Sunday before Christmas, they bring these stockings filled, with toys, something to eat and something warm to wear. MANGER SERVICE (_The_ CHILDREN _robed as_ ANGELS _enter the chancel. They pause before manger._) FIRST ANGEL: Why is this manger filled with hay, Placed here? Surely it stood one day In the stable of Bethlehem? SECOND ANGEL: There's a whisper of music in the air, And children's voices sounding fair. Wait, we will ask of them. (_The procession starts from the back of the church, singing. First come the three_ SHEPHERDS, _then the three_ KINGS, _bearing the star, then the five little_ GIRLS, _then the_ CLASS _bearing gifts, and lastly the_ CHOIR (_if there is a choir._)) _Song_: Music, "ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!" [Song: Onward, children, on-ward, Marching as we sing: Gifts un-to the Christ-Child We are car-ry-ing. On-ward, children, on-ward, Till the light we see. Like the Christmas shep-herds Shepherds too are we. ] REFRAIN [Song: On-ward, child-ren, on-ward, Fol-low-ing the star, Coming like the Wise Men: We the Wise Men are. A-men. ] (_They reach the chancel. The_ ANGELS _question them in song._) _Song_: Music, "Christmas-time Songs and Carols" by Mrs. Crosby Adams (page 10). ANGELS (_sing_): Little children, who are ye, Clad like shepherds? List to me, For I am a stranger: Why do ye come here to-day? CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_): It was the shepherds who first, they say, Beheld the Child in the manger, Beheld the Child in the manger. (_The three_ SHEPHERDS _enter chancel and recite._) SHEPHERDS: We come as the shepherds came that day To see where the baby Jesus lay. And we pray The Christ-love dwell in our hearts this Christmas day. ANGELS (_sing_): Little kings whom I behold, Robed in purple, crowned with gold, Hearken to a stranger: Tell me why you carry a star! CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_): Led by such wonderful light afar, The wise kings found the manger, The wise kings found the manger.