A major storm begins ripping through Portwenn about the time the Christmas program begins. The villagers rush inside the school auditorium while rain, thunder, lightning, and heavy winds descend upon Portwenn. Ruth and Morwenna sit near Louisa. Louisa asks them why hasn't Doc Martin arrived yet. and where is he. Ruth responds "Don't hold your breath for him He isn't likely to make it."
Roger begins the Christmas program, "I am thankful to be back in Portwenn this Christmas season, and I am honored to be leading the singing for the annual Christmas program, and thank you, Dr. Parker, Louisa, the Chote family, and all of you who have made this Christmas program one to remember. Let us begin by all singing together 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconcile.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem'
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.
The children who perform the part of two of the wise men then come onto the stage singing "We Three Kings of Orient Are". I hang my head, saying "This Christmas program is becoming a disaster. What could possibly go wrong now?"
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
A door opens. Shotgun blasts ring out. Everyone in the auditorium screams. Roger looks down the hall at three shadowy figures aligning the doorway.
Roger boldly asks the figures, "Have you come seeking the Baby Jesus?"
Stuart responds, "We've come seeking that no good Bert Large who's stolen forest property!"
Al, trying to calm Stuart down, interjects, "Just calm down mate, and quit waving that shot gun around."
Stuart's shotgun goes off again. Everyone in the auditorium screams again.
Roger calmly responds, "Bert isn't here."
I rise up from my seat and come to the platform beside Roger, explaining, "He's at Martin's surgery. The idiot sprained his back installing our Christmas program scenery and last I've seen him, he was on his way to Martin to get checked out."
Al calmly responds,"Thanks mates."
Penhale interjects loudly and boldly "If anyone of you comes in contact with him before we get to him, remember, he is a wanted suspect."
Al shakes his heads at Penhale, "Cool it."
Stuart, Al, and PC Penhale head off to Martin's surgery to look for Bert.
Roger, trying to deflect everyone's attention back to the Christmas program, proclaims, "Let us get back to our Christmas program. The children are now going to sing 'Silent Night, Holy Night', followed by 'O Holy Night', in which the church choir will join in on the chorus.
Silent night, Holy night,
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, Holy night,
Son of God, Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
O holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt it's worth
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder brinks a new and glorious morn
(The church Christmas choir joins in with the children singing)
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine