ds._

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the
Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them;
and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

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 toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known to us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger. (_Exit_ PROLOGUE _at L._)

(_Soft chimes are heard. The_ SHEPHERDS, _accompanied by the concealed
choir, are heard singing:_)

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT

Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

_As the_ SHEPHERDS _begin on the second stanza of the hymn, the
curtains rise disclosing the same scene as before._ SIMEON, TIMOTHY
_and_ ISAAC _discovered seated in a group at rear center, singing._
THOMAS _stands by his father._

So long Thy pow'r hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost a-while.

SIMEON.
Methought I heard a whir of wings on high.

TIMOTHY.
I see naught save the snow and starry sky.

ISAAC.
We've come a long and mighty step today,
From o'er the frosty hills and far away.

THOMAS (_pointing over the manger_).
Look, father, dost thou see that shining star
That seems to stand above the town so far?
'Tis like a wondrous blossom on a stem,
And see, it ever shines o'er Bethlehem!

TIMOTHY.
A brighter star, I'm sure I never saw--
And per