The Christmas Miracle in Kolendy
by
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Reader 1 - Luke 2:1–7 (NJB)
Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world. This census—the first—took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.
So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David’s town called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living-space.
Reader 2 - Luke 2:8–20 (NJB)
In the countryside close by there were shepherds out in the fields keeping guard over their sheep during the watches of the night. An angel of the Lord stood over them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified, but the angel said, “Do not be afraid. Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And all at once with the angel there was a great throng of the hosts of heaven, praising God with the words: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours. Now it happened that when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds said to them.
As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as they had been told.
Interpreter 1 - In the midst of the quiet night,
all are becoming aware.
Interpreter 2 - Get up, shepherds!
God is born for you this day!
Get yourselves together as soon as possible
and hasten to Bethlehem
to welcome the Lord!
Singers - Vs. 1: “Wśród Nocnej Ciszy” (Lyrics #2.1)
Interpreter 1 - But friends! Look over there!
Look how the heavens are on fire!
It is sure that something wondrous is going on in Bethlehem!
Interpreter 2 - Let’s abandon our homes and our valuable herds.
Let’s let our Lord God watch over them,
and we, we’ll go to Bethlehem!
Singers - Vs. 1: “Bracia, Patrzcie Jeno” (Lyrics #3.)
Reader 1 - Luke 2:14 (NJB)
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace for those he favours.
Interpreter 1 - Christ is born and comes on earth;
a dark night flounders in a ray of light!
Interpreter 2 - The angels are rejoicing. They are singing in the high heavens, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”
Singers - Vs. 1: “Gdy Się Chrystus Rodzi” (Lyrics #4)
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About the Book
This is a nativity play written in English with Kolendy/hymns sung in Polish. Basically, a tabloid is created with actors/carolers still and statuesque, except when they are singing or acting. In the words of the two interpreters, it highlights the deep meaning and significance of the Polish Kolendy/hymns. It was inspired by a Polish-American club, whose membership was interested in singing the Kolendy of its founders. Most of the members did not know Polish, but they remembered the melodies and struggled with the lyrics. Lyrics were syllabicated and were successfully taught to the members in rote fashion. Scripture readings from the New Jerusalem Bible were used to set the scene and to highlight the deep religious meanings of the Kolendy.
About the Author
After her grade school years, Helen Gwozdz Miller graduated from St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Adams, Massachusetts. This is where she received her formal Polish education. (She later also studied Latin, French, and German.) After her high school years, she graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in North Adams, Massachusetts. She graduated from Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts with a BA in mathematics and a minor in chemistry; she also studied philosophy and theology at the Elms. She has thirty graduate credits in mathematics at Fordham’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
She has been a parishioner in several Catholic parishes throughout her life, and is currently a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, where she has been for more than thirty-five years. She previously taught CCD there and was a member of the adult choir, and a member of a women’s spiritual reading and faith sharing group.
She is now retired, after a career in information technology.
She has three children and their spouses, and eight grandchildren, and resides with her husband, Frederick, in Clinton Township, New Jersey.