SIMPLE SHEPHERDS' CHRISTMAS STORIES

CHRISTMAS SHEPHERDS stories – These are “shepherdly-simple” retellings of old stories along the lines of the “Uberufer Shepherd's Plays”, a cycle of religious plays which have been in continuous production since the 16th or 17th Century.

I came across these plays when my kids were in Waldorf schools. These plays have been traditionally performed at Waldorf / Steiner schools around the world. In addition, I have had the occasion to act in productions of these plays for many years. When my kids graduated, I lost contact with the productions.

So, in an effort to re-kindle the Christmas stories in an old, culturally simplistic form, I have written them as a part of the annual cycle of my blog at www.threesimplequestions.blogspot.com and now they are available in book form.

Part 1 - The Shepherds make their way to Bethlehem to sell their sheep to pay for taxes. They pass the time complaining about taxes, drinking wine and dancing to stay warm. An Angel appears and send them to Bethlehem to find a child.

Part 2 - A surly Innkeeper sends the Shepherds off with a kick and a curse and puts Mary and Joseph in his stable. He takes in only people with “money in purse.”

Part 3 – The Stable, Mary and Joseph. Joseph worries about the taxing day. A Child of Light is born in the darkness.

Part 4 - the Conclusion of this shepherdly-crude retelling of the Christmas story. The Shepherds are visited by the Angel and go to the Stable. They give their gifts to The Child and wonder why He is born in such a poor place.

Innocence Slain By Power – The Three Magi and King Herod.