BLACK NATIVITY: A Gospel Song Play by Langston Hughes (Dramatic Publishing, Woodstock, Illinois:1997) p.21

“NARRATOR. Hear again the Christmas story--

Christ is born in all His glory.

Baby laid in manger dark,

Lighting ages with the spark

Of innocence that is the child,

Trusting all within His smile.

Tell again the Christmas story

With the halo of His glory;

Halo born of humbleness

By the breath of cattle blest,

By the poverty of stall

Where a bed of straw is all,

By a closed door at the Inn

Where only men of means get in,

By a door closed to the poor.

Christ is born on earthen floor

In a stable with no lock--

Yet kingdoms tremble at the shock

Of a king in swaddling clothes

At an address no one knows

Because there is no hotel sign--

Nothing but a star divine,

Nothing but a halo bright

And His young head in the night.

Mary's son in manger born!

Music of the Angel's horn!

Mary's son in straw and glory!

Wonder of the Christmas story!