---
ga: 43
title: "Oberufer Christmas Play"
words: 5501
---
# Oberufer Christmas Play

#### The Star Song

> My dear singers, gather together  
> like doughnuts in a pan.  
> My dear singers, gather together in a circle,  
> let us pass the time with singing.  
> My dear singers, begin bravely,  
> let us raise our voices in greeting.  
> Let us greet God the Father on his highest throne  
> and let us also greet his only son.  
> Let us greet the Holy Spirit by name  
> and let us greet all three of them together.  
> Let us greet Joseph and Mary  
> and let us greet the little child.  
> Let us also greet the ox and the donkey  
> who stand by the manger.  
> Let us greet them through the sun and moonlight  
> that shines over the sea and over the Rhine.  
> Let us greet them through the leaves and grass  
> that the holy rain makes wet for us and for you all.  
> Let us greet the emperor with the crown,  
> let us greet the master who can make it.  
> Let us greet our spiritual lords  
> because they have allowed us to learn the play.  
> Let us greet the judge with his oath,  
> because they are worthy of honor.  
> And let us greet the entire honorable congregation  
> all as they are gathered here.  
> Let us greet the entire honorable council  
> as God has ordained it.
> Let us greet them through all the spices,  
> as many as there are on earth. —  
> My dear singers, let us begin differently,  
> let us begin by greeting the star.  
> Let us greet our starry pole  
> on which our star hangs.  
> Let us greet our star  
> around which our star revolves.  
> Let us also greet all the little trees  
> as many as there are in the stars. —  
> My dear singers, you have heard me well  
> that we have sung to the star.  
> Let us greet our master singer well  
> and greet the master singer's hat.  
> Let us greet our teacher indeed  
> because he has taught us with God's help.  
> My dear singers, you have heard me well,  
> that we have sung all this.
> Upon entering the hall, they sing:  
> May God bless our entrance  
> [And our exit as well,  
> Bless our daily bread,  
> Bless our deeds and actions.  
> Bless us with a blessed death  
> and make us heirs to heaven.]

#### The Oberufer Nativity Play

> THE COMPANY CONTINUES ITS PROCESSION AND SINGS:  
> When the gracious God,  
> wanted to fulfill his word  
> he sent an angel quickly,  
> named Gabriel  
> to the land of Galilee  
> to the city of Nazareth,  
> where he found a virgin,  
> named Mary,  
> Joseph never knew her  
> but she trusted him.
> THE COMPANY DEPARTS, ONLY MARY REMAINS BEHIND.
> THE ANGEL GABRIEL ENTERS, STANDS BEFORE THE VIRGIN AND SPEAKS:  
> Hail, thou fairest of women!  
> The Lord God is with you!  
> For you are blessed among women!  
> For you will conceive  
> and bear a son,  
> whom you shall name Jesus!  
> And he will be lord over his people forever.
> MARY SPEAKS:  
> How can this be?  
> For I do not know a man.
> THE ANGEL SPEAKS:  
> Behold, I am the angel Gabriel,  
> who brings you tidings:  
> the power of the Most High will overshadow you,  
> therefore the holy one to be born of you  
> will be called the Son of God.  
> And behold, Elizabeth, your friend,  
> is also pregnant with a son in her old age,  
> and is already in her sixth month,  
> she who was said to be barren,  
> for with God all things are possible.
> MARY SPEAKS:  
> Behold, I am the Lord's servant,  
> let it be done to me according to your word.
> THE ANGEL DEPARTS. MARY REMAINS. THE COMPANY CONTINUES ITS PROCESSION.  
> Mary joins them. All sing:  
> Because Mary went pregnant  
> in the month of August,  
> when the prophecy came true,  
> no one could argue:  
> the emperor decreed  
> that everyone should be counted,  
> that was commanded.  
> So everyone went to the place  
> and to the city of their birth  
> and were found obedient.
> THE COMPANY DEPARTS. THE ANGEL GABRIEL RETURNS.
> THE ANGEL SPEAKS:  
> I enter without mockery,  
> God give you a beautiful good evening,  
> a beautiful good evening, a blissful time,  
> which the Lord from heaven gives us.  
> Honorable, wise, gracious lords,  
> also virtuous ladies and maidens in all earnestness  
> please do not be annoyed,  
> listen for a little while.  
> What we are about to bring you  
> is not invented by us,  
> nor is it conceived by pagans,  
> but is fulfilled in the Holy Scriptures,  
> namely the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,  
> which has come to us as a comfort,  
> Therefore, if you wish to hear it in peace,  
> be silent and listen to us attentively.  
> AB.
> THE COMPANY. MEL. FROM HEAVEN HIGH ETC.
> Emperor Augustus imposes
> the first census on everyone,
> so Joseph sets off
> with Mary, the tender virgin.
> From Nazareth to the land of Judea
> to his city called Bethlehem.
> As they now come to Bethlehem
> Mary gives birth to her son.
> ALL EXIT, ONLY MARY AND JOSEPH REMAIN, WHO SPEAKS:  
> Emperor Augustus has issued a decree  
> that every man shall be taxed  
> under penalty of death for all? heads in general  
> shall be ready to pay the tribute.  
> Because all the money in my hand  
> was used for our necessities,  
> I have not a penny at my disposal at this time.  
> May God be blamed for such misery.  
> I know of no way to obtain money.  
> My strength has diminished,  
> I no longer know how to practice my craft.  
> which pains me greatly,  
> but I will pay the tribute  
> with Augustus's consent.
> MARY SINGS:  
> O Joseph, rest a little  
> I will speak to a friend tomorrow morning;  
> to borrow the money for the tax  
> so we need not worry about this matter.
> JOSEPH SPEAKS:  
> Mary, who has so much money  
> that they would advance you the sum?  
> Money is scarce on all sides  
> May God turn our situation to the best.
> MARY SINGS:  
> There are no other means to be found  
> let us tie up the little ox  
> and take it with us to Bethlehem,  
> where Augustus has decreed us to go,  
> sell it for a fair price  
> and all may yet turn out well.
> JOSEPH SAYS:  
> If we sell the ox for the tax,  
> how will we continue to live?  
> In what have I placed all my hope and salvation  
> that I should offer it for sale?  
> But where two are to be sold for the tax,  
> the smallest of the two is to be considered.  
> Mary, bring the donkey here,  
> I want to be with you, not far from the ox.
> MARY:  
> Now that we are coming into the city,  
> where shall we take the ox and the donkey? MARY:  
> What if others get there before us  
> and take the room?  
> For many people, without number, measure, or limit,  
> are now traveling to Bethlehem.
>
> JOSEPH:  
> There is an innkeeper there, well known to me,  
> named Rufinus,  
> where we will stop  
> and put up the ox and the donkey.
> JOSEPH:
> Look, the city is almost in sight.
> Let us hurry a little,
> lest the gate be closed
> and we have to stay there overnight.
> MARIA:
> O Joseph, do not hurry so,
> the walk is too difficult for me,
> the road is too slippery with ice,
> I am afraid of falling.
> My feet are numb from the cold
> I fear I may become very ill.
> JOSEPH:  
> In the evening we will soften your feet  
> and rub them with warm cloths.
> Maria, I am now at the inn,
> as I promised to take you there.
> INNKEEPER ENTERS.  
> God bless you, Rufin, my good friend,  
> can you not give us shelter tonight?  
> We are very weary from our long journey,  
> as every traveler well knows.  
> The air has affected us severely  
> and worn our faces down with its harshness.
> INNER SPEAKS:  
> My friend, go elsewhere,  
> my lodging house is already full,  
> all the rooms and chambers are occupied,  
> believe me when I tell you this in truth.  
> As an innkeeper of my stature,  
> I have power over my house and lodgings.  
> AB.
> JOSEPH SPEAKS:
> Now I know of no one else
> who would be willing to lend us a helping hand,
> but we will not despair of help
> and will continue to try our luck.
> Let us greet our neighbor as usual
> and ask if he would be willing to let us into his house.
> ANOTHER INNKEEPER, “SERVILUS,” ARRIVES.  
> My friend, do you have no room in your house  
> where we can rest a little?
> INNKEEPER SPEAKS:  
> What do I have to do with you and your wife?  
> who knows where you've come from?  
> I can get more from other people  
> than from you, you lazy beggar!  
> Get away from my door,  
> and don't cause me any more trouble here.  
> AB.
> MARIA:  
> May the Lord have mercy on us,  
> that we must leave with such scorn,  
> must die of cold and fear,  
> unable to find shelter.
> INNKEEPER TIRUS:  
> My lady, why do you lament,  
> do you wish to despair completely?  
> You can see for yourself  
> that my house is full of strangers.  
> But if you will accept a stable  
> I will cheer you up.
> MARY:  
> My dear host, it makes no difference to us  
> whether we sleep on hard or soft ground tonight,  
> as long as our faces are not covered with snow  
> and no deadly wind blows through us.
> HOST:  
> So come in, in any case,  
> until my house is empty, into the stable.
> JOSEPH SINGS:  
> O pure virgin, o pure virgin,  
> here is a little manger,  
> in which we must sleep  
> with God who created us.
> O pure virgin, [o pure virgin.]
> THEY SIT DOWN ON A STOOL.
> MARY:  
> Oh Joseph, my love,  
> you must be my only comforter!  
> My time has come,  
> with pain I will give birth  
> to the little child, the baby Jesus.
> JOSEPH:
> Tomorrow morning I will get up
> and go to Cana to the butcher,
> I will offer him this animal
> and hear what he will give for it,
> then I will pay the tribute
> according to the will of Augustus.
> MARY:  
> Will the little animal be worth so much  
> that we will achieve our goal? MARRIA:  
> O Joseph, Mary's little angel  
> singing the Gloria, All that is here  
> is filled with love  
> that we have gained  
> the little child  
> the baby Jesus.
>
> JOSEPH:  
> Now do not doubt it  
> I hope to have something ready.
>
> MARY:  
> Oh Joseph, the time has already come  
> for me to be freed from the bonds of childbearing,  
> the birth is approaching,  
> as Gabriel has freely announced to me.  
> Let us ask the innkeeper to allow us  
> to enter his house.
>
> JOSEPH:  
> Mary, he will hardly grant our request,  
> since we desire too much at once,  
> but I will go to the innkeeper with confidence  
> and look around his dwelling  
> to see if a place can be found.
>
> INNKEEPER ARRIVES.  
> Marieo, Marieo!
>
> JOSEPH:  
> Mr. Titus, a child was born to us today  
> and almost froze to death during the night.  
> Therefore, we kindly request that you allow us  
> to enter your lodging house.
>
> INNKEEPER SPEAKS:  
> I would gladly grant your request,  
> but 24 have just arrived,  
> and they have taken all the rooms and empty spaces.  
> See where else you can go with the child.  
> As an innkeeper of my stature,  
> I have power over my house and lodgings.
>
> JOSEPH:  
> Mary, our request has been denied,  
> we must stay in the stable as before,  
> so that the child may be free from the cold,  
> lay him in the manger between the ox and the donkey.
>
> MARY:  
> Oh Joseph, my love!  
> How can the world be so unfaithful!  
> To shame us by excluding us  
> So that we must remain in the stable.  
> Oh Joseph, my love!  
> Oh Joseph, my love!  
> Oh Joseph, bring a little hay  
> So that I can make a little bed for the child.
>
> JOSEPH:  
> My heart, my will, and all my senses  
> are yours, my dear little son.
>
> MARY:  
> Oh, my Joseph,  
> help me rock the little child,  
> God will reward you.  
> Oh, my Joseph, oh, my Joseph.
>
> JOSEPH SINGS:  
> O my dear Mary!  
> I am happy to help, I am happy to help, I am already here,  
> I will help you rock your little child,  
> God will reward me.
> BOTH REMAIN ASIDE ON THEIR STOOLS WHILE THE COMPANY PARADES AND SINGS:  
> A child born in Bethlehem  
> this year,  
> Jerusalem rejoices.  
> In this year we rejoice  
> we praise the mother of the Lord  
> with her tender little child  
> with her tender little child  
> Christ the Lord we honor  
> with a song of praise  
> with a song of praise.
> 2. Here it lies in the manger  
> in this year,  
> the reign would be at an end!—  
> In this year we rejoice  
> [In this year we rejoice  
> We praise the mother of the Lord  
> With her tender little child  
> With her tender little child.)  
> AB.
> GALLUS ENTERS AND SAYS:  
> Heschka he he!  
> I thought I would be the last  
> but now I am the first to enter.  
> Hush hush! How cold it is today!  
> It freezes my face so much  
> that I cannot feel my nose. —  
> I have given Stichl my hand glove!  
> I've been running around and around.  
> Where is my brother Stichel running around?  
> I look around at everything  
> and my brother Stichel comes along.
> STICHL:  
> Heschka he he!  
> I thought I would be the first one here  
> but now my brother Gallus is here too.
> GALLUS:  
> Stichl, how are our herd and sheep? WITOK:  
> You fool! The mirror cards are gone;  
> it's raining so hard that everything is frozen!  
> My beard is stiff with ice!
>
> STICHL:  
> Oh, Gallus, I almost froze waiting for you.
>
> GALLUS:  
> Hey Stichl, did you get cold?  
> Look at my two hands!
>
> STICHL:  
> Hey, you only have two?  
> You lie to me 100 and 1000 times!  
> Hey, where is our Widok running around?  
> I look around at everything  
> and my brother Wüdok is coming right up!
>
> WÜDOK:  
> Heschka he he!  
> I thought I would be the first to reach the herds and the sheep,  
> but now I'm coming in last!
>
> STICHL:  
> You always take your sweet time.
>
> WITOK:  
> Yes, my wife wouldn't let me go,  
> I had to mend and sew her shoes first.  
> But if the cold wants us to leave so soon,  
> then we must be more careful, in my opinion.
>
> GALLUS:  
> Stichl, are you familiar with the story  
> of the emperor's nurse, named Cyrinus,  
> who set an exceedingly high tax,  
> that every head must be bought free,  
> on pain of losing all his possessions!  
> Who can remain cheerful in such circumstances?
>
> STICHL:  
> Oh Gallus, what are you always saying?  
> Is what you say actually true?  
> It cannot be permitted to desire  
> that the people should live more easily!
>
> WITOK:  
> Oh God, has this desire no end!  
> Woe is our great misery and sorrow!  
> I thought it would change,  
> that we might live more easily.  
> Misfortune comes in heaps,  
> no one can be free from this misery.
>
> GALLUS:  
> Oh my Witok, you have no reason to complain yet,  
> let me tell you about poverty first.  
> That's how it is for me, an innocent man!  
> I have no rest, day or night.  
> I always strive to tend my flock,  
> sleep is unknown to me.  
> Yesterday I was with my flock in the field,  
> where my sheep graze diligently,  
> but there are not so many of them:  
> I will tell you the reason shortly.
>
> STICHL:  
> Tell us, you old chatterbox! WITOK:  
> Recently, I was told at length  
> how God has chosen from eternity  
> that the longed-for Messiah should come into the world  
> to comfort and redeem all the pious.  
> Then we on earth will be freed  
> from all burdens and cares.
>
> GALLUS:  
> Some of them were torn apart by the wretched wolf.
>
> STICHL:  
> Perhaps the butcher's dogs have bitten them;  
> then it has happened without a trace;  
> must everything be lost to the wolf?
>
> GALLUS:  
> Truly, Stichl, keep your mouth shut,  
> the wolf bites just as hard as the dog.
>
> STICHL:  
> Yes, even harder.
>
> GALLUS:  
> Whatever else you want to say about it,  
> you must first make peace with the herd. —
>
> WITOK:  
> From my wife I brought Kletz'n and Null'n  
> Now let's have a good afterlife
>
> STICHL:  
> Is there a piece of Schmolz in there?
>
> WITOK:  
> A piece as big as a fist, about three of them.
>
> GALLUS:  
> Oh, if only all this were so certain today,  
> that the Messiah were at hand,  
> then we would rejoice and leap for joy  
> and sing the gratias to God with joy.
>
> THEY STAND HERE IN A TRIANGLE FACING EACH OTHER, LEANING ON THE LONG STICKS. AT THESE WORDS, ALL THREE JUMP UP TOGETHER AS A SIGN OF JOY.
>
> STICHL:  
> At what time and place shall this happen,  
> that we may find comfort for the poor?
>
> WITOK:  
> The time has not been told us,  
> but the place is well known to us  
> He shall be born in Bethlehem  
> of a virgin chosen. —
>
> GALLUS:  
> Now listen, my dear brothers,  
> since we are now all three together,  
> let us lie down for a little while  
> and sleep beside them for a short time.
>
> THE SHEPHERDS LINE UP AND LIE DOWN NEXT TO JOSEPH AND MARY AND SLEEP.
>
> ANGEL COMES AND SINGS:  
> Gloria, gloria in excelsis! —  
> I proclaim to you  
> and to all peoples on earth  
> O Christ, wake up, get up and run  
> to the little child, to the manger, to the baby Jesus, run  
> run, run, run, run.  
> Run, shepherds, run, all at once,  
> take your shawms and pipes with you  
> run to Bethlehem, to the stable  
> greet the little child, all of you  
> all of you, all of you!  
> O shepherds, O shepherds, do not despair,  
> I will tell you a new story.
>
> GALLUS SPEAKS IN A DREAM:  
> Stichl, what is this singing and rejoicing?  
> A ghost wants to torment us, it disturbs our sleep.
>
> STICHL SPEAKS:  
> I, a great wonder and a wonder beyond measure,  
> I look just a little outside the hut,  
> and I see a great and bright light,  
> what is shining there before my eyes?
>
> WITOK SPEAKS:  
> I hear a voice so bright and clear,  
> it seems to me it is a band of Englishmen.
>
> ANGEL SINGS:  
> From heaven above I come,  
> I bring you good news,  
> I bring you so much good news,  
> that I will sing and tell you about it.
>
> GALLUS STANDS UP AND SPEAKS TO WITOK:  
> Be careful, it's icy.
> GALLUS:  
> Stichl, get up, the sky is already cracking!
> STICHL:  
> Let it crack, it's old enough for that.
> GALLUS:  
> Stichl, get up, the forest birds are already chirping!
> STICHL:  
> Let them chirp!  
> They have small heads, they'll soon be asleep again.
> GALLUS:  
> Stichl, get up! The people are clattering on the street.
> STICHL:  
> Let them clatter, they still have a long way to go.
> GALLUS:  
> You have to get up!  
> Be careful, it's icy.
> STICHL: Oh, for heaven's sake!  
> Are you going to open your mouth  
> only when I've opened my satchel?! What did you dream?  
> I will quickly catch it with my staff  
> and hang it over my shoulders.
>
> STICHL:  
> Ha, my Gallus! What did you dream?  
> That you rolled and tumbled next to me?
>
> GALLUS:  
> What did I dream?  
> I can tell you that very well.
>
> ALL THREE TURN, STANDING IN A TRIANGLE, WITH THEIR BACKS TO EACH OTHER AND LEANING ON THEIR SHEPHERD'S STICKS; GALLUS SINGS:  
> I went into a stable,  
> where there was an ox and an ass,  
> eating from a manger:  
> O noble treasure, O tender virgin  
> who was clearly sitting with him!?  
> Now I have just awakened from sleep,  
> I wish God would give me that dream every night  
> I would gladly sleep until seven.
>
> THEY TURN TOWARDS EACH OTHER.
>
> STICHL:  
> Ha, my Witok, what did you dream?  
> That you rolled and tumbled around next to me?  
> What did you dream?
>
> WITOK:  
> What did I dream?  
> I can tell you that very well.
>
> THEY TURN THEIR BACKS ON EACH OTHER.
>
> WITOK SINGS:  
> On Christmas Day, in the silence,  
> a deep sleep overtook me,  
> I was filled with joy;  
> my soul received much sweetness,  
> much honey and many roses.
>
> THEY TURN TOWARDS EACH OTHER.
>
> GALLUS SPEAKS:  
> Ha, my friend, what did you dream?  
> That you rolled and tumbled around next to me?  
> What did you dream?
>
> [FRIEND:]  
> What I [dreamed?  
> I can tell you that].
>
> THEY TURN THEIR BACKS ON EACH OTHER AGAIN.
>
> STICHL SINGS:  
> I dreamt as if an angel came  
> and led us to Bethlehem  
> to the Jewish land so far away:  
> a miracle happened there,  
> we heard new tales.
>
> THE SHEPHERDS SING WHILE THEY WALK IN A CIRCLE BEHIND EACH OTHER:  
> Merry shepherds, joyful boys,  
> who have a good desire to sing:  
> heya, come on! And let us sing  
> and jump merrily with good cheer.  
> David, a brave shepherd boy  
> David delights our hearts and tongues.  
> A cheerful little song while we work,  
> if we don't feel like sleeping,  
> we sing to honor God,  
> whoever wants to, open your mouth  
> eia, who is interpreting it badly,  
> since David also does it.  
> After a battle and mighty deeds  
> chosen as potentate,  
> he must also carry the scepter,  
> rule the world, adorn the Jews.  
> Everyone points to David:  
> are not the shepherds brave people?
>
> GALLUS:  
> Now come, let us go to Bethlehem  
> to see the miracle there.  
> What gifts shall we offer?  
> What shall we present to the child?
>
> STICHL:  
> I will give the child a bottle full of milk  
> so that he may continue to grow in his mother's womb.
>
> WITOK SPEAKS:  
> I have a beautiful lamb under my herd,  
> which is well suited for the child.
> GALLUS SAYS:  
> I will take a little wool with me  
> so that it can be placed gently in its mother.
> STICHL SAYS:  
> The night is too dark for me, I can no longer see,  
> whether we are going right or wrong to the city. Oh,  
> where shall we all go from here?
> GALLUS SAYS:  
> Stichl, I can already see a straw house,  
> there we will ask for the child of God,  
> they will tell us  
> where we should go,  
> so that we may meet the child.  
> Holla holla! Is there no one at the door  
> who can take us to the desired place?
> JOSEPH SPEAKS:  
> My friend, whom are you looking for here  
> one who will take you further?  
> Since you have asked, tell me, where do  
> your thoughts and eager mind lie?
> STICHL SPEAKS:  
> Father, we seek God's little child  
> who should be born here among us,  
> we desire to know if it is true  
> as the story has been proclaimed to us.
> JOSEPH SPEAKS:  
> If that is what you want, then come in  
> here lies the desired little child.
> THE THREE SHEPHERDS STAND BEFORE JOSEPH AND MARY AND SING!  
> Listen, my heart, and look there,  
> what lies there in the manger?  
> It is the dear little Jesus,  
> it is the beautiful little child.
> GALLUS NEVER KNEELS AND SPEAKS AT THE OFFERING:  
> Hail, tender little child!  
> How you lie there so miserable and hard.  
> A bed of straw, not of soft feathers,  
> but of prickly hay so hard.  
> Your birthday not in summertime,  
> but in the bitterness of winter.  
> For your little face and white roses  
> you choose great frost and ice.  
> Your little cheeks are white, your little nose is delicate  
> how they are so frozen,  
> and your dear golden eyes,  
> which are bathed in bitter tears.  
> I bring you, O little Jesus, a little wool  
> that your mother may lay you down softly.  
> I will give you a little milk,  
> so that your mother can make you a meal,  
> and when I come to see you more often,  
> I will bring something more with me.
> STICHL SPEAKS AT THE FUNERAL:  
> Hail, tender little child, how you lie there so still,  
> your salt of heaven is very great  
> and you come into the world poor, naked and bare:  
> I bring you a bottle full of milk,  
> with which I entrust myself to your protection.
> WITOK SPEAKS AT THE FUNERAL:  
> God bless you, dear little child  
> Hail, dear little Jesus!  
> You, a king, were born in a stable,  
> you must be nourished by your mother's breast:  
> I bring you, King, a little lamb,  
> I pray you will be satisfied with it.
> JOSEPH SPEAKS:  
> Shepherds, I thank you diligently  
> for your precious sacrifice and gift.
> MARY SINGS:  
> Shepherds, I thank you diligently,  
> for your precious sacrifice and gift.
> May God let your food thrive
> and bless your herd and sheep.
> THE SHEPHERDS CONTINUE TO SING ON THEIR KNEES:  
> Let us rock the little child,  
> and bow down to the manger  
> to bless the baby Jesus,  
> the little child must be healed.  
> O sweet baby Jesus, o sweet baby Jesus!
> GALLUS SPEAKS!  
> Well, how is it possible  
> that he was born so unknown  
> and suffers such deprivation, frost and cold  
> and yet rules the whole world?
> WITOK SPEAKS:  
> Here on earth he came poor  
> so that he might have mercy on us  
> and make us rich in heaven  
> like his beloved angels.  
> He did this for us so that  
> man might turn away from pride  
> and not seek such splendor and adornment,  
> but rather a humble life.
> STICHL SPEAKS:  
> We can take heart  
> because he is born of royal blood  
> King David was also a shepherd  
> I have read this in the Scriptures,  
> who through his royal deed  
> killed the mighty Goliath.
> GALLUS SPEAKS:  
> But when we tell our companions  
> what has happened here,  
> they will not believe us,  
> but will laugh loudly,  
> for the matter is such  
> that it surpasses all human understanding.
> WITOK SAYS:  
> I cannot keep it secret  
> I must report it to the lord  
> and go to Jerusalem tomorrow  
> and show it to the governor immediately.
> STICHL SPEAKS:  
> Our Crispus is also coming here  
> who will have sought us in the open field.  
> Greetings, dear Crispus!
> CRISPUS SPEAKS:  
> Thank you, God, my old friend,
> GALLUS SAYS:  
> How are things with our flock?
> CRISPUS SAYS!
> Truly, the sheep are still together in the pen,
> from the largest to the smallest.
> What news do you bring,
> is it true what the people are saying?
> GALLUS SAYS:  
> Truly, in Bethlehem lies the little child  
> in a manger, between an ox and a donkey.  
> If you wish to see this miracle,  
> you can get up early tomorrow morning  
> and come with us to Bethlehem.
> CRISPUS SAYS:  
> Is it far away?
> GALLUS SAYS:  
> You can get there!
> CRISPUS SAYS:  
> Yes, yes, I will think about it  
> and give the child a piece of my fur.
> THE SHEPHERDS BEHIND THE ONE WALKING AROUND IN CIRCLES:  
> And the shepherds were cheerful  
> as they tended their sheep,  
> working diligently at their task  
> and then lay down to sleep.  
> Then an angel quickly entered  
> and God shone brightly around them,  
> so that they were very frightened.  
> The angel said: do not be afraid  
> I bring you a new story  
> I want to bring you joy.  
> AB.
> COMPANY SINGS IN:  
> Rich and poor shall be joyful  
> on this day,  
> for a child is born unto us  
> who can do all things.  
> He is also holy  
> his name is Jesus Christ  
> who came down from heaven  
> from heaven. —  
> O man, consider how Jesus Christ  
> so shy of all  
> was born in Bethlehem  
> in an old barn  
> and laid in a manger,  
> as the Scriptures tell us,  
> who is yet the highest king  
> on earth far and wide.  
> COMPANY EXITS.
> ANGEL FINISHES SPEAKING:  
> Honorable, wise, and gracious lords,  
> virtuous ladies and maidens in all earnestness,  
> since you have heard our play,  
> please bear no ill will toward us.  
> Do not interpret our words badly,  
> but rather attribute them to our lack of understanding:  
> if we have erred here  
> and failed to observe proper decorum,  
> but rather each of us has considered what is best,  
> then we wish you a good night from Almighty God.