Glory to God in the highest! Fear not! For behold I bring you glad tidings Of great joy. For unto you is born this day In the city of David, a Saviour Which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be the sign unto you: Ye shall find the heavenly Babe Wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men! TIMOTHY. 'Twas a fine voice, even as ever I heard. ANNA. The hills, as with lightning, shone at his word. SIMEON. He spoke of a Babe here in Bethlehem. That betokens yon star! Full glad would I be, Might I kneel on my knee, Some word to say to that Child. TIMOTHY. See! In the east there breaks the day. ANNA. Let us tarry no longer; away, then, away! (ANNA _goes out at rear, behind the stable, with_ TIMOTHY, RUTH _and_ THOMAS.) ISAAC. Come, gran'ther, let us go and see this thing! SIMEON. But first get gifts to take the new-born King! Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men. (_They follow the others out at rear._) _The curtains fall._ SCENE III: _Hymn by the congregation:_ HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING. Hark! The herald angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King! Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled." Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th' angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem." Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of the favored one. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail th' incarnate Deity: Pleased, as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel. Hail! The Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail! The Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die: Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. _Enter_ PROLOGUE _before the closed curtains._ PROLOGUE. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.