Hungarian Christmas Tradition: "Playing Bethlehem"

The Hungarian folk tradition of the Bethlehem play (Betlehemes játék, betlehemezés) is a cross between a Christmas pageant and going caroling. It is a short nativity play, centered around the shepherds and the three kings visiting the Holy Family in the stable; but traditionally, it was performed not at a single location, but going from house to house. The performers, in costume and carrying a crèche (sort of like this) would ask at the door, "May we come in here with a Bethlehem?", and enter once answered in the affirmative.

The "script" itself is folk poetry, so it comes in many versions and regional variations. (The first written texts date from the 17th century.) The dialogue is spoken (typically, but not always, in verse), but traditional Christmas songs are added at appropriate points (shepherds marching, Mary singing a lullaby, etc.). Each household would reward the performers with treats before letting them move on to the next house. (The "Bethlehem players" could be children or adults, depending on local custom, and the treats would vary accordingly. With adults, the last performances could be very merry indeed.)

You may have guessed that the house-to-house tradition is a thing of the past. The modern version is much like a Christmas play anywhere in the world where Christmas is celebrated, with children performing at their church or school. (Which, incidentally, may be a public school, without much protest from anyone, at least the last I've heard.) The scripts do retain the "visiting" formulas, though--the children ask for permission to enter before marching on stage, for example.

The following pictures (whose posting you will no doubt realize is what the above snippet of information is meant to serve as a rather lame excuse for) were taken at the "Bethlehem play" of the SF chapter of the Hungarian Scouts over several years.

 

 

(2004)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^(2003)

 

 

 

(2005)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2006)

 

(2007)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2009)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My recordings of their singing would not leave a very good impression, but here are some of the songs in more professional renderings.

 

 

Child welcoming Baby Jesus (of the "had you been born in our country, we would have treated you better" theme I've heard from other cultures, too—it seems to be a common one):