Yuletide entertainments

by Ellen M. Willard

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS.

For One Adult or Large Girl and One Child as Small as Can Learn the Part.

This may be presented wholly without accessories, except a chair and a small table and work basket, or made to picture a Puritan home.

The effect of this simple thing lies in the spirit put into it by the actors. Well done it is exceedingly effective.

Costumes and directions at the close.

Child (enters, goes to Mother, who sits sewing—leans
against her knee)—

Mother, I heard the children say

That Christmas will be here tomorrow.

I never heard of that before,

Is it a time of joy or sorrow?

Did you keep Christmas years far back

In your old home across the water?

Mother—

Yes, child, with gifts and great yule logs.

But that was long ago, my daughter.

Child—

Tell me about it, mother dear,

Why did you have such Christmas gladness?

And did you give to all you loved?

Did you help all who lived in sadness?

Mother—

Dear child, this is the time of year

The dear Lord’s birth is celebrated.

But heathen rites and wicked mirth

Have marked for theirs all things created.

And so ’tis wrong for us to join

In ceremonies so unfitting.

(Puts down her work, takes Child’s hand.)

But come. The storm is fierce without,

And glistening snow is downward flitting.

(Rises.)

To bed, oh little daughter mine.

The pines and winds their songs are singing,

And all the stars—and Lady Moon—

Their watchful care to you are bringing.

(Mother starts to go out, Child steps in front of her and looks up into her face.)

Child—

But, Mother dear, on my birthday

You give me gifts, and I am merry.

Why is it wrong on Christ’s birthday

For us to help make others cheery?

Mother—

To bed, my little daughter mine,

Nor vex your childish heart with fretting.

(Starts to go, Child again stops her.)

Child—

But, Mother, you had Christmas time,

You told me so; you’re not forgetting?

Mother—

Nay, child, I don’t forget.

Child—

Then why

Can it be wrong if you could do it?

You are so good. It made you glad.

Mother—

But I have learned to sadly rue it.

Child—

But tell me why. I cannot see

Why joy displeases the good Father.

For when we’re glad we want to share,

And make all others glad together.

Mother (moves toward the door)—

’Tis time my little maid should go

And on her pillow white be sleeping;

While God shall guard through all the night.

And winter stars their watch be keeping.

(They go out.)

Mother (returns alone, clasps hands as she says:)

My little maid! Can it be wrong

To give her Christmas joy, I wonder?

(Thinks, gets work basket, sits down, fashions a rough doll, previously prepared, from bits of cloth. She puts on a dress of gray, like her own—it can be tied and pinned together by previous practice—with apron and kerchief. This is done as she talks, with occasional pauses, finishing it silently and holding it up to view.)

Was it all wrong—that happy mirth—

In the old home in England yonder?

Her childish questions reach my heart.

God loves to have us glad, most surely;

And loving Him, our love for all

Must stronger be, and grow more purely.

(Goes out holding up the doll for her own admiration. After short interval returns without the doll, goes to window and looks out, speaking slowly.)

And now ’tis dawn; the night is gone,—

And it is holy Christmas morning.

Snow-drifts and ice and glittering stars

Are miracles for its adorning.

(A pause. Child runs in joyously, hugging the doll. As she talks she clasps her Mother and shows all possible joy, dancing up and down, etc.)

Child—

Oh mother dear! Oh mother dear!

See what I found beside me sleeping!

If God kept watch He knew it came,

And knows how Christmas we are keeping.

If you love me so much, and love

To give me gifts like this, dear mother,

How very loving God must be!

He must love more than any other!

Mother (takes Child’s hand and puts her arm around her)—

Dear little maiden mine! Your faith

That best of lessons holy,

That loving God is loving all;

And Love is Help to high and lowly.

CURTAIN.

COSTUMES.

Both dress alike. Dress gray, plain waist and close sleeves, skirt to ankles. White apron, white kerchief crossed over the shoulders, plain muslin caps, not tied under the chin, white stockings, low shoes.

The mother is very gentle and loving, the child eager and impetuous. This can be made very “taking” by having both the characters children; the smaller the better.