Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1919-12-12

is to be presented in Putnam this sea-
son at the Second Congregational
church. on Tuesday evening, Dec. %,
beginning at s o'clock, The Pomfret
performance will be Sunday evening.
Dec. 81, in Pomfret Hall, at the same
hour.
This presentation of scenes of the
Nativity has become widely known
throughout the country. and people
journey from far to see it. 1t has also
won much fame through the press,
and many performances founded on
this Miracle Play have sprung up.
1t seeks to give, with simplicity,
such features of the first Christmas
night, as are recorded in the Gospel.
These features have been favorite
subjects with painters of all ages.
They are here portrayed in panto-
mime with such dramatic action as
the emotion of the events suggests;
The Annunciation; the Shepherds
in the Field. Watching over their
Flocks by Night; the Angel of the
Lord; the Angelic Host; the Nativity
Visit of the Wise Men to the Man
ger; Wise Men From the East.
The text of the play is from Luke,
the second chapter, the eighth to the
twentieth verses, with the account of
the Magi given in Mathew. the second
chapter, the first and second. tenth
and eleventh verses.
The curtain rises on Mary. meekest
and loveliest Of women, busted about
the tasks of a Jewish maiden of her
time and rank. Rapt in meditation as
she plies her needle, or reads from a
scroll, she becomes conscious Of some
thing president about her In the
distance the Angel of the Lord ap-
pears.
Mary, who as yet beholds Him not,
is still touched with the mystery that
approaches. From out the shadows a
stately figure energies. 1t draws near.
nearer. Mary starts up in fright. Be-
wildered, she hears, not comprehend
ing Mt first, the vast import Of his mes
sage.
Mary, gentle, youthful. timid, re-
spends to the inspiration Of the an
gels presence, and with meekness
yields to the destiny thus presented to
her. She falls upon her knees.
Night In Judsa
II is night on the hills of Judea. A
group of shepherds, cold and weary
with their long day, come in and pre-
pare for the night. One lights fire
Of fagots. Some stretch themselves
on the ground to rest. Two or three
chat together over the days happen
ings. One caresses his dog. All Is
quiet. Still, an uneasiness, sense
of excitement is with them. One goes
into the distance and looks, II per-
chance he ear satisfy himself what Is
toward. He comes back, sinks down.
The night is not as other nights. They
station a sentry, and again they seek
rest. To the distant sentry dawns
light. 1t adds to their bewilderment
and alarm. The sentry falls back to
his companions and arouses them. IL
Is no dream, no vision, no trick OF
their weary minds.
"Lo! the angel Of the Lord mas
come upon them. the glory OF the
Lord shines round about them.
"And they we're sore afraid
"And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude Of the heavenly
host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the Highest, and
on earth peace, good will to men,"
With golden trumpets this cloud OF
witnesses bursts upon the view OF the
shepherds with the message OF peace
and good will. surrounding the angel
of the Lord; and while the little band
about the dying fire seek to hold
them, they drift away, and are gone
But the message Is there. 1t con-
POUNDS the shepherds, and they take
counsel together.
"And II came to pass, as the angels
we're gone away from them into heav-
en-. the shepherds said, one to another,
Let US now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing, which has come to
pass, which the Lord hath made
known unto u.s.
"And they came with haste, and
found Mary and Joseph, and the babe
lying in manger.'
There is no light, save where the
manger stands, filed with a glowing
radiance. 1t illumincs the figure OF
Mary the mother, and shows Joseph
standing in the shadows at the back.
Mary Is rapt in the mystery which SO
deeply concerns her. All else is lost
to her. She hangs above the manger,
she adores, she bows her head in wor-
ship. her arms meekly crossed upon
her breast.
The shepherds steal in and draw
reverently near and fall on Their
knees In alteration. They l;nger