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Synopsis
The night of Christ’s birth comes to life through the story of a young shepherd boy. When the Angel Gabriel announces the Christ Child's birth to the shepherds, young Jonathan is left behind with the flock while the older shepherds go to Bethlehem. A Little Angel appears: he was one of the cherubim who accompanied Gabriel, but has broken his wing and fallen to earth. The two youngsters manage to mend the wing, but when the Little Angel realizes his gift for the Christ Child was lost in his fall, Jonathan gives him his flute. The Little Angel departs, but forgets his golden halo; Jonathan keeps it, intending it as a gift for his older brother, one of the shepherds. A young girl and 2 children suddenly appear: they are being pursued by Roman soldiers, having escaped from a slave caravan Jonathan directs them to safety and gives them the halo to use as ransom. A soldier appears, and when Jonathan refuses to give him information, raises his sword; but at that moment, the Little Angel appears with thunder and lightning demanding the young shepherd boy's release, and the soldier flees. The older shepherds return and recount what they saw at the manger, and Jonathan learns that even though he was not there, his flute was delivered as a gift. The Little Angel appears to Jonathan in the heavens once more, and waves goodbye, as the angelic chorus sings "Gloria in excelsis Deo."
courtesy of Theodore Presser Company
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Title Information
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Approximate Runtime (hh:mm)
1:00
Number of Acts
1
Musical Style
tonal, tuneful, by turns dramatic and lighthearted
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