Last performed in 2006
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Synopsis
Scene One
Late one night, as temple priests chant in the distance, aged Simeon labors over tallow candles by a rude hearth. A young boy assists the old man in his trade. Weary from the day's work, the lad insists that his master retell the story of how God revealed that Simeon would not die before seeing Messiah. Simeon complies. But in the midst of recounting the promise of the Lord, the feeble man suffers an attack. He slumps over the worktable, knocking over the molten tallow. Smoke fills the room, driving man and boy out into the street until the air clears. Simeon wonders how long he will have to wait until he can see the promise of God fulfilled.
Scene Two
At a nearby public well, Simeon and the boy meet a ragged beggar woman who asks for alms. When they tell her they have nothing to give, she lashes out. She scornfully asserts that the "great and silent God" has abandoned His people Israel. Herod spends lavishly on himself and curries the favor of a pagan Roman government. As she stalks away, the boy sees a wonder. Amazingly—a bright light seems to shine up from the depths of the well of water. Could it have been the reflection of a star where none ever was before? But when he looks up, clouds cover the place in the sky where it had been.
A trio of shepherds—Boss, Brassy and Tender—arrive at the well, having walked from Bethlehem. They came to Jerusalem because of the amazing things that happened to them just 39 nights before. All three tell how an angel announced the birth of a Savior to them as they watched their flocks. This night they left the sheep in younger hands and hope to catch a glimpse of the young mother and father with their babe in the great city of David.
With the ring of scimitars drawn in the night, an eastern Emissary arrives at the well. A proud man in silken robes, he is ambassador for a great entourage of magi who are making their way from afar. They hope to see the newborn King of the Jews. He tells how his masters, the Magi, perceived a certain sign in the heavens foretelling this regal birth. The shepherds offer to lead the man to Herod's court, and they depart, leaving Simeon and the boy on stage alone. The clouds part and the star reappears, allowing the boy to show Simeon where it shines. Amazed by all he has heard and by this new star in the heavens, Simeon suddenly realizes a truth. He tells the boy that on the 40th day after birth, a firstborn son to a Jewish home must be brought to the temple for public dedication. The shepherds said it was 39 nights ago when they heard the news. This could be the very morning the newborn babe will be brought to the temple courts!
Scene Three
Daybreak lightens the East as Levites chant, entering the temple for morning sacrifice. Several couples wait for the priest's ritual blessing to dedicate a firstborn son. Simeon arrives with the boy. They see a lowly father and mother offer a small cage with two birds they have purchased—too poor to offer a lamb. Simeon doesn't know how, but suddenly he knows! Simeon takes the child in his arms and prophecies that He is the "light to illumine the nations." Mary hears the prophecy and exults in God for His great mercy as the morning sun breaks over the horizon.