(upbeat music) (soft music) (soft music continues) (soft music continues) (soft music continues) (peddler sighs) (no audio) (peddler groans) - Ah.

Well, hello boy, I didn't see you there.

- Oh, hello.

- What are you doing out here in the country?

- I was asleep.

- [Peddler] Isn't it a cold day to be sleeping out of doors?

Why don't you go home to sleep?

- I haven't any home.

I mean, just now I haven't.

- Oh, and how did that happen?

- I did have a home, but there was a terrible sickness in my village and my mother and father died of it.

- Well, I'm sorry to hear that, son.

But surely you live with somebody.

- I was supposed to live with my uncle in the next village but he had too many children of his own.

He didn't need me.

- Hmm.

- So I ran away.

- Hmm, I see.

Tell me, have you eaten today?

- No, not today.

- Well, why don't you come over and see what we can find to eat.

Let's see, we've got some bread and some cheese and let's see what else.

Ah, mm, honey, do you like honey?

- Yes.

- Good, then let's eat.

- Thank you.

- Oh.

I'm wondering what happened after you ran away?

- I worked for a shepherd, but he sold his sheep.

So there wasn't any more work for me.

- Hmm and then what?

- Well, now I'm looking for someone who needs a boy to work for 'em.

Trouble is they think I'm too small.

I'm really very strong.

- Oh, I can see that you are.

You know, this is a stroke of good luck.

I was looking for a boy to work for me.

- You were, with sheep?

- Oh no, I'm not a shepherd, I'm a peddler.

You see, this is my pack and it's full of all sorts of wonderful things.

And I travel through the countryside selling them to people.

- What would you need me for?

- Well, you know, sometimes this pack gets awfully heavy and I could use a boy to help me carry it.

And oh, you could pick up wood for the fire or go fetch me water.

- I could do that.

- You could?

Fine and in return I'd make sure that you were fed and that you know, you had a warm barn to sleep in each night and maybe we could even find you a cloak.

You know, you could use a new cloak, couldn't you?

- Yes and this shirt is too small and it's patched.

- Well, don't worry about that.

We'll take care of it.

You know, I think you'll like living out on the road.

You walk out in the country and you're warmed by the sun and the air smells sweet.

And at night there's such stars you wouldn't believe.

Why, just last night I saw the largest star.

- I saw that star too.

I was sleeping under the hedge and it made everything as bright as day.

Do you always see such big stars?

- Oh no, I've never seen any as large as that before.

Well, is it settled?

You'll come with me.

- Yes.

- Fine.

- What are the things you carry in your pack?

- Hmm, I'll show you.

Here is some fine red cotton from Egypt and we have some fine beads and we have, oh let me see, what's this?

Ah, this is a pottery bowl.

I have to be very careful with it 'cause it'll break.

And let's see, here's some fine bone needles.

- What's that?

- What?

- That.

- This?

That's a timbrel.

- A timbrel?

- Mm-hm and you play it (timbrel tinks) like so.

- [Child] Do you march to it?

- Oh, you can march to it, you can dance to it.

You can do all sorts of wonderful things with it.

It's a very ancient thing.

The Holy Books used to tell us about how it was used a long time ago.

- My father used to tell me stories of the Holy Book.

- He did?

Did he tell you the one about how when the children of Israel were running away from the wicked king how the sea parted and let them through?

- Yes and the king and his men tried to follow and the sea flowed together again and the king and all those men were drowned.

- That's right.

But he did he also tell you that when they got to the other side there was a great rejoicing to the Lord and Miriam, the prophetess, played the timbrel.

- She did, that very one?

- Oh no, one very much like it though.

But the Psalms tell us how it used to be used in praising the Lord.

- Timbrel is really a holy drum, isn't it?

- Yes, it is a holy drum.

But do you know when I'll play this one?

- When?

- When the Messiah comes.

Do you know about the Messiah?

- My father used to speak of him but I don't really know who he is.

- Oh, he's a great king that will be born one day to rule over Israel.

- A good king, not bad?

- [Peddler] Oh, a good king.

Why when he comes, there'll be no more war or trouble.

You see, he'll rule us with love and we'll love him.

- And praise him with the timbrel.

- Exactly, just like it used to say in the old song.

(timbrel tinks) ♪ When the Messiah comes there will be feasting and joy ♪ ♪ There will be music and dancing ♪ ♪ Dancing to the sound of a timbrel ♪ ♪ Dancing to the music of the harp and the timbrel ♪ ♪ Harp and the timbrel harp and timbrel ♪ ♪ Harp and tembrel harp and tembrel oh ♪ ♪ When the Messiah comes ♪ ♪ There will be feasting and joy ♪ ♪ There will be music and dancing ♪ ♪ Dancing to the sound of the tembrel ♪ ♪ Dancing to the music of the harp and the timbrel ♪ ♪ Harp and the timbrel harp and the tembral ♪ ♪ Harp and tembrel harp and tembrel ♪ ♪ Harp and tembrel oh ♪ - It'll be a wonderful day when he comes.

- When is he coming?

- When?

Who knows, but I know where he'll be born.

- Where?

- In Bethlehem.

The prophet Micah told us.

He said, "But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, thou thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of these, shall he come who will be born King of Israel."

- Does that mean Messiah?

- Who else?

(gentle music) ♪ Harken harken friends and neighbors ♪ ♪ There is a joyful news today ♪ ♪ Have you heard the song of the angels ♪ ♪ Sing a song to be up and away ♪ ♪ Leave your sheep and leave your crop ♪ ♪ Leave your house and leave your farm ♪ ♪ Come with us as we travel ♪ ♪ Seeking a babe who is born today ♪ ♪ Do not be afraid of the journey ♪ ♪ Though the road be rough and long ♪ ♪ Come and see the beacon to guide us ♪ ♪ High in the heavens it shines the star ♪ ♪ Truly this is a wondrous thing ♪ ♪ Now is born our Lord and King ♪ ♪ Come with us as we travel ♪ ♪ Seeking the babe who is born our King ♪ - Good day, Shepherds.

- Good day, Peddler.

Have you heard the news?

- Oh, I heard you singing about it loud and clear.

- We're going to see the newborn king.

- Tell me, did an angel really tell you about him?

- Why, it was a whole bunch of angels, Peddler.

- And they just didn't speak, they sang.

- You never heard such music and the star- - I saw it.

- So did I.

- I wonder, could it be the Messiah?

- That's what we believe.

- See, we're taking him this fine, white wool.

- But why?

Why do you take a king a gift?

- Who would approach a great king without a gift in his hand?

- But why?

Kings are rich, they don't need gifts.

- No, that's true but we give gifts to show our love.

- I see.

- Well, you're on the right road to Bethlehem.

It's only a mile or so farther down this road.

- Well, thank you, peddler, we'll be on our way.

- Good day.

- Good day.

- Good day.

(gentle music) - Do you think it's the Messiah?

- It must be something to cause shepherds to leave their sheep.

- Should we go too?

- I hadn't planned on going that way.

And yet if it is the Messiah.

♪ We three kings of Orient ♪ - Here come some more people singing.

Look how fine they are.

♪ 'Neath the sky to lead us ever onward ♪ ♪ Glorious ♪ - Those are fine men, indeed.

Those are the kings.

♪ Why why are we seeking ♪ ♪ Why do we pursue our onward way ♪ ♪ Prophets were told it we shall behold it ♪ ♪ Know a royal king is born today ♪ ♪ He shall have the honor and the glory ♪ ♪ He shall have a part from God above ♪ ♪ He will rule the mighty and the lowly ♪ ♪ He will rule the world with truth and love ♪ ♪ Where where where shall we find him ♪ ♪ Where shall we behold this wondrous thing ♪ ♪ Star shining o'er us going before us ♪ ♪ Lead us to our master Lord and King ♪ - Let us rest a while here.

- We can sit down.

- I'll be glad to.

This gold is heavy to carry.

- Your Majesties, I beg your pardon.

- Here is a peddler.

- What is it, Peddler?

- I beg your pardon, Your Majesties but are you looking for a king?

- Yes, we are.

- We seek a king who is greater than we are.

- He will rule with love.

- And of this kingdom, there shall be no end.

- We have seen this star in the east and we go to worship him.

- Peddler, ask them if they take him gifts.

- The most precious things we have.

Gold, frankincense and myrrh.

- It seems one always takes gifts to kings.

- We must be on our way.

- We must follow the star.

- Good day, Peddler.

- Good day, Peddler.

- [Both] Good day, Your Majesties.

- Kings, you know when the shepherds came, I thought how could they know about the Messiah?

Why should I believe poor, innocent shepherds?

But when kings tell you something, great men like kings tell you something is true, you have to believe them.

Come, we're going to Bethlehem.

- Right now?

- Right now - Can I meet the king with patches?

And besides, I have no gift for him.

(gentle music) ♪ What what can I give to the baby ♪ ♪ What what can I give to the king ♪ ♪ Shepherds are giving a cloak of wool ♪ ♪ For the night may be damp and cool ♪ ♪ I've no cloak to wear at all ♪ ♪ So what can I give the baby ♪ (gentle music) ♪ What what can I give to the baby ♪ ♪ What what can I give to the child ♪ ♪ Kings are taking him gold and myrrh ♪ ♪ Things I never have seen before ♪ ♪ They are rich but I am poor ♪ ♪ So what can I give the baby ♪ (gentle music) - Don't worry about gifts.

If God wants you to have a gift to give, he'll place it in your hand.

Now come, we must go.

Oh, that timbrel, I forgot to pack it.

Now what am I going to do?

I know, you carry it and you can play as we go.

- Like this?

(timbrel tinks) - Like that.

♪ When the Messiah comes there will be singing and joy ♪ - Goodness, it's dark.

I can't see a thing.

- Neither can I. I wonder where we are?

Bethlehem should be around here somewhere.

- Where are the kings and shepherds?

- Oh, they're back on the other road behind us.

- But they started first.

- It takes an old peddler like me to know all the back lanes and shortcuts.

- Is that while he came through those brambles and over those hedges?

- Yes, that's why you've got twigs in your hair.

I'd brush 'em out.

- Where's the king?

- Look boy, that star.

(children sing) - I hear music.

See, a baby.

But they put him in a manger.

He must be poor like me.

- God be praised, our King is born.

Come boy, let's go in.

- I have no gift.

- Then give him something from my pack.

- That would be your gift.

It wouldn't be mine.

- Here come the shepherds.

- The star has led us here.

- This is too great a wonder.

- I'm afraid.

(choir vocalizes) ♪ Fear not for behold I bring you glad tidings ♪ ♪ A great joy ♪ (choir vocalizes) ♪ For unto you is born this day in the City of David ♪ ♪ A savior which is Christ the Lord ♪ (choir vocalizes) - My brothers, our journey has ended.

- We have found our king.

Blessed be his name.

(voices vocalize) (voices continue to vocalize) - Come, let's go in too.

- You go, I have no gift.

(gentle music) ♪ Come they told me pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Our new born King to see pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Our finest gifts we'll bring pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ To lay before the King pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ So to honor him pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ When we come ♪ ♪ Baby Gesu pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ I'm a poor boy too pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ I have no gift to bring pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ That's fit to give our King pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Shall I play for you pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ On my drum ♪ ♪ Mary nodded pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Ox and lambs kept time pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ I play my drum for him pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ I played my best for him pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Rum pum pum pum rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Then he smiled at me pa rum pum pum pum ♪ ♪ Me and my drum ♪ (gentle music slows) (gentle music) ♪ Joy joy has filled the sky ♪ ♪ All the bells are ringing ♪ ♪ Joy joy the angels cry ♪ ♪ To the heavens singing ♪ ♪ Pray oh ♪ ♪ Let us come to today ♪ ♪ Praise unto Christ the Lord ♪ ♪ Everyone is singing ♪ (bells ring) (voices vocalize) ♪ He is the king of kings ♪ ♪ Sent by God to save us ♪ ♪ Lead us now in wonderment ♪ ♪ May our voice be heard ♪ (voices vocalize) ♪ Praise the king of glory ♪ ♪ Praise be ♪ ♪ Our Lord ♪ (organ plays) (organ music ends) (soft music) (soft music continues) (soft music continues) (soft music ends) (gentle music) - [Narrator] Hallelujah, the Christ child is born.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, Christ is born the King of men.

♪ Hallelujah my King oh hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Christ is born Christ is born ♪ ♪ Christ is born ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ The Christ child is born ♪ ♪ Christ is born ♪ ♪ Christ is born ♪ ♪ Christ is born ♪ (gentle music) ♪ Hallelujah ♪ (choir stops) - [Narrator] Oh, great mystery and wondrous sacrament that animals might see the birth of the Lord as he lay in the manger.

Oh, blessed virgin, who wast worthy of bearing our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah.

(choir sings in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) (choir continues to sing in foreign language) ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ ♪ Hallelujah ♪ (choir vocalizes)