Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-30
PAGEANT OF NATIVITY.
Congregational Church Celebrates Christmas by Giving Seven Won
 derfuI Scenes Of the Birth of Christ.

The Congregational church celebrat- ed Christmas in 8 unique manner Christmas night by . Pageant Of the Birth of Jesus Christ in seven scenes, held in the church auditorium. Be- fore the curtain rose, the prclocutor, Rev. F. s. Child pastor, robed in white gown trimmed with red, read Luke 3: s to IS, followed by the choir singing Silent Night, Holy Night. The curtain being drawn, revealed . group of shepherds with their focks on Beth lehem plain. Suddenly there appeared an angel robed in white. After the choir had rendered behind scenes It Came Upon the Midnight Clear That Glorious Song of Old. the shepherds, astonished, started while the angel re- peated the words of the gospel: Be not afraid, for behond Izbrins you good all people for there is born to you this day in. tho city of David Saviour who is Christ the Lord.
 Suddenly 9 group of angels appear singing Glory Be to God in the High est They march slowly around the Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.
 After they have passed out the shepherds and their flock arise and the shepherds say one to another: Let us now go even to Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord hath
 
 around while the choir sings 0 Little Town of Bethlehem.
 Second Seene.
 Before the second scene opens the prolocutor reads Luke 2: Is to 90.
 The curtain being drawn, shows Jo- seph robed in white with strped garment in dark but rich oriental color hanging from his shoulders, a long black beard, and . turban of white, nd hor ir, ,-01,a A% ArA aIt headdress of fine linen, sitting with a little babe in her arms, while the ani- mals stood beside the manager. Behind the scene the choir sings Away in a Manager. No Crib for Bed.
 Joseph then repeats Isaiah g: 6, T, and Psalm 103: 1,,z, and Mary replies God 50 loved the world" etc.; then Mary sings to the tune of Now the Day is Over two verses of Sleep My Little Jesus Wonder Baby Mine. The choir follows with o Come All Ye Faithful, when the shepherds stand scripture prophetic of the Christ. The choir sings Ye Servants Of God, Your Master Proclaim, and as the shepherds 20 out each one kneels and recites brief line of praise from the Psalms, and before the curtain is drawn Mary Jesus on Thy Bed of Hay.
 Third Scene.
 Before the third scene the prolocutor reads Luke 3: g to 2e and 36 to 3s
 The curtain drawn discloses the high priest in his robes, standing behind the rail in the court of the women with scribe beside him and Phari- see pacing the court. Joseph with Mary carrying the babe enter on the right and Simeon from behind the rail on the left. Simeon taking the child f[@,- %1 rrt %1z ,1,-4 pigeon for sacrifice, recites Psa1m 1o4: 1. and Luke 2: g to 32; then the ben ediction. Jehovah bless thee and keep thee. after Joseph and Mary have calculated The Lords name be praised!"
 Then Simeon, returning the child, says to Mary Luke 2: 34, 35 At this Anna the prophecies comes in and repeats II Samuel T: IS; Kings 8: 66; Isaiah 6z: Il, Ed clause; Psalm 72: 4, and Jeremiah 2s: 6. Fourth Scene.
 Before the fourth scene~the prolocu- tor reads Matthew g.: 1 to f. As the curtain is drawn Herod is seen on his throne with his queen on his left: at her left group of ladies in waiting covered with Jewels in group of women and boys of Jerusa- lem. At the kings right k his cup bearer, page and captain of the guard Knocking is heard and as tho page goes to open there enter three wise men in Persian costume, with lcng boards, accompanied by q servant. They mako obeiSance and inquire: Where Is He that is born King of the Jewsf for we saw His star in tho east and are come to worship Him." Hsrod repliss: We know net but come again shortly" He then calls foy. A rriASfa ori Ao vf~Aau who appear after the wise men retire Then the king repeats from Jeb: T an terrified at this prsstnce,'' and the women chant o Lord, deal net with us after our sins.
 The high priest coming is asked whence the Christ shall be born, and the high priest replies from Matthew 2: 6.
 Tho court being dismissed, Herod sends for thelwtse men and fnfaryfew-