The cast of "Beyond Bethlehem" You can see the characters introduced separately in this slideshow: http://connect.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=2faff785ef9318ad292a
The prophetess Anna dances to "Hope of Israel" (by Michael W. Smith) as she intercedes for her nation late at night at the temple.
The next day, Simeon, a righteous and devout man, comes to the temple courts, full of the Holy Spirit.
He pantomimes to "The Promise" (by Michael W. Smith), foretelling the coming Messiah.
"We're singing alleluia..." Other worshippers join in, caught up in excitement and hope.
Anna comes in near the end of the song and approaches: "Simeon, have you found Him?"
Simeon replies that he hasn't found Him yet, but "The Holy Spirit has shown me that I will not die until I see Him."
Off to the side, a Pharisee tries to study, irritated that the old prophet and prophetess is disturbing him again.
Caught up in longing, Anna and the other worshipers begin to dance to "Come, Oh Redeemer Come" (by Fernando Ortega)
A song of yearning, and anticipation.
"Father enthroned on High..."
"Hear our prayer."
The scene then switches to a stable in Jerusalem, where Jesus has just been born!
Star-Angels come out to dance to "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
"But in thy dark streets shineth an everlasting light..."
They then tip-toe back out to heaven...
Mary and Joseph are in awe of the new baby, that God would entrust them with the care of His Son.
Joseph tells Mary to rest, as He rocks Jesus and sings "Joseph's Song" (by Michael Card). "Father, show me where I fit into this plan of Yours... How can a man be father to the Son of God?"
Finishing the song, Joseph lays Jesus down tenderly.
"We're sorry for causin' a ruckus and disturbin' you like this, but..."
"We seen angels!" "Fillin' the sky!"
"They said He'd be wrapped in swad - sward -" "- swaddlin' stuff!"
As the shepherds bow in worship, more angels fly in to dance with joy to "O Come All Ye Faithful"
"Sing choirs of angels, sing in exaltation!"
"Glory to God, all Glory in the highest!"
The next day, the innkeeper's daughter Phebe skips out... " 'Scuse me sir. Papa said to come and see how you'd passed the night. He said your missus looked about ready to -"
"-oh my! She done gone and had the child!"
"So them shepherds babblin' about a new baby was tellin' the truth..."
As Phebe continues to talk a mile a minute, Joseph manages to ask a few questions.
Soon, Phebe has to leave, so that her sisters won't come for her.
"Joseph, how long do you think we'll be staying in Bethlehem?" He's not sure, but he knows that it's probably better not to return to Nazarath, with all its gossip about their marriage and Mary's pregnancy.
Mary, left alone with her Son, ponders many things.
Cherubs soon appear, dancing to "Mary did You Know?"
"Mary did you know, that your baby boy, is Lord of all creation?"
The scene changes back to the temple, a few weeks later. Mary and Joseph have come to offer the required sacrifice. Mary wants to tell people about the child, but Joseph just wants to get things done without any announcement...
Suddenly Simeon appears: "He is here! He has finally come!"
"Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, now dismiss Your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen Your Salvation..."
Anna, hearing that Simeon has made the proclamation, hurries out to enjoy the Child.
"Thanks be to God for the glorious things He has done! He has not left us desolate, but has brought about everything He promised!"
"This Child is our Redeemer!" Most people watching are excited over what's happened, but some are a little suspicious...
"For to us a child is born" "To us a Son is given!" "And the government will be upon His shoulders..."
Anna dances with the baby to "Hallelujah" (by Darlene Zschech)
"He is here - the Savior has been born, the One we've waited for..."
"Glory to God!"
"The Savior has been born, and all of heaven smiles!"
Filled with joy in God's presence, even this old lady can dance for the glory of God!
As they leave, Mary is full of questions. "Joseph, will Jesus really reign of David's throne as the prophetess said? And what did that prophet mean, that a sword would pierce my soul?"
The scene changes to Mary and Joseph's house in Bethlehem, nearly a year later. Unexpectedly, they find kings and princesses outside of their door!
The wise men give explain the purpose of their journey and give each other a hard time.
They each present their gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold, and bow in worship.
As the wise men worship, the princesses dance to "One King" (by Point of Grace).
"Silhouette of a caravan painted against the sky; wise men, searching for the Holy Child."
"One king held the frankincense, one king held the myrrh, one king held the purest gold, and one King held the Hope of the world!"
After being warned in a dream to escape Herod's coming attempt to kill Jesus, Joseph takes his family to Egypt.
They find a nice community of Jewish families
They're soon welcomed among them.
Rizpah and Bithiah approach the strangers eager for news. "Where did you come from"
Mary: From Bethlehem, though we are natives of Nazarath." Rizpah: "Nazarath, eh?" Bithiah: "Don't hold it against them Rizpah, such fine folk!"
Approaching, Jerusha asks: "You came from Bethlehem? Then you must know about the terrible slaughter there by that butcher, Herod." Rizpah: "Oh Jerusha, don't bring that up!"
"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
Bithiah: "May the Lord deliver us from Herod's tyranny!" Rizpah: "Omaine!"
"You're one of us now!" "Come, rest in the shade!"
"My Deliverer is coming, my deliver is standing by..." Girls dance to "My Deliverer" (by Rich Mullins)
They have fun, as one of the girls gets spun around by her daddy.
"Through a dry and thirsty land, water from the canyon heights..."
Full of motion, the song become everyone's favorite.
A few years then pass, and Mary is out with her friends. Bithiah: "He truly is a special boy."
"He's still such a little boy, though..."
Joseph appears preoccupied, and soon tells Mary of another dream. Herod has died, so he's to take his family and return to Galilee.
"And so Joseph took his wife Mary and the child Jesus, and returned home to Nazarath..."
The narrator gives the epilogue, explaining Jesus' boyhood, ministry, death, and resurrection, ascension, and promise to return. "We rejoice, because we know that our Deliverer is indeed coming!"
As a surprise ending, the shepherds appear again, in all their country-ness.
Suddenly, they see the wise men! "Would you look at that!" "Them fine folk!"
"I tell you, I've seen this place before!" To their dismay, the wise men learn from the shepherds that they've gotten lost and ended up back in Bethlehem!
"We're miles from home..."
The innkeeper's daughters appear, and are asked to put the wise men up for the night.
