The Christmas Candle Page #2

hope will lead us there.

[ELEANOR] Off with

that muddy coat!

Did you crawl all

the way from London?

[ELEANOR]

Come on, britches too.

You're not the first clergyman

I've seen in his underpants.

[Herbert laughs]

[Eleanor giggles]

[ELEANOR]

I'll just get these cleaned up.

[Eleanor giggles]

Were just across the

garden if you need us.

Anything at all.

Welcome to Gladbury, Reverend.

Jesus said, "Ye are

the light of the world."

A city that is set on

a hill cannot be hid.

[parishioner coughs]

Neither do men light a candle

and put it under a bushel,

But on a candlestick.

And it giveth light unto

all that are in the house.

Let your light

so shine before men.

That they may

see your good works.

And glorify your Father,

which is in Heaven.

Thank you Reverend.

Is he talking about

our Christmas Candle?

I think he's gettin' to it.

[DAVID]

You sir!

Would you hide this

candle under a bushel?

No sir, I wouldn't.

Of course not.

And you, Mrs. Haddington?

Would you conceal

this candle under your hat?

Lovely as it is.

[BEA]

No, no, never.

[DAVID] Candles

belong on candlesticks,

giving light to everyone.

[DAVID]

What then is this light

that draws men to

our Heavenly Father?

Is it signs and wonders'!

Angels and miracles?

[DAVID]

Of course not!

[93335]

[DAVID] It is our good works

that shine before men

and glorify our

Father in Heaven.

No.

Not one word about

the Christmas Candle.

Better luck next time.

[LADY CAMDON]

Reverend Richmond.

Lady Camdon.

What a fascinating sermon.

Thank you.

And yet so unlike the sermons

for which you're loved.

That's not to

worry you, Reverend.

You'll do very

well here in Gladbury.

I'll make sure of it.

[DAVID] "An early Christmas gift

for you and all of Gladbury."

This is quite unexpected.

A gift from the

Countess of Gladbury!

Whatever could it be?

Whatever could it be, eh?

Gladbury':
most

beloved Advent sermons.

Tried and true.

[HERBERT] Some of these sermons

are two hundred years old.

And I imagine her ladyship

expects me to use these sermons.

Well, I can think of no

better way to preserve

the legacy of the

Christmas Candle.

Forgive my ignorance, but what

is this Christmas Candle?

I think you'll find everything

you're looking for in here.

[DAVID]

This is preposterous!

I thought you might

stop by, Reverend.

Tea?

Had I known that the people

of this town were expecting

to hear such fairy

tales from the pulpit,

I never would have come!

The Christmas Candle is

no fairy tale, I assure you.

[DAVID] Oh, then I suppose

that you have seen

this magical wish

granting angel'!

No.

But he has.

[DAVID] Ah, yes,

the candle maker.

Do I have some

questions for you.

Why one Christmas Candle,

and not fifteen?

Why doesn't this angel

come once every year?

Or every Thursday

afternoon for tea?

And why in all of God's

green Earth, Gladbury'!

[EDWARD]

Why Bethlehem?

Why a babe in a manger?

Who could possibly hope to

understand the ways of the Lord'!

But I see no reason to

promote superstitions

or raise false hopes.

[LADY CAMDON] People of

Gladbury lead difficult lives.

Even the slightest hope of a

miracle keeps their faith alive.

Only to be crushed when

their prayers go unanswered.

If this is what your

people need, then I--

[LADY CAMDON]

What our people need is hope.

And you can give it to them.

I know this firsthand.

Lady Camdon, I'm not the

"miracle man" that you remember.

Coming to Gladbury

was a mistake.

[EDWARD] On that

we are in agreement.

[LADY CAMDON]

But what if it were providence

that brought you here?

I think you should stay.

[EDWARD]Why prolong

the inevitable?

Just until Christmas.

[LADY CAMDON]

This is the year.

Please, David, consider it.

[VICTORIA] Let's go

play in the garden.

[BOY] Victoria, wait for me!

[DAVID] I take it you're not

much of a horsewoman.

[EMILY] If it isn't the

ever-helpful reverend.

[DAVID]Well that depends

on who you're asking.

I fear I have little to offer

the people of Gladbury.

[EMILY] Don't pity

yourself, Reverend.

Though I did warn you.

This town is mad.

[DAVID] All their hopes

wrapped up in one candle.

Oh, not just any candle,

the Christmas Candle.

[DAVID] Miss Barstow, do I

detect an air of skepticism.

[EMILY]The Christmas

Candle':
no different than

old wives' tales or

your Bible stories.

Take no offense, Reverend.

So you're not a believer then'!

I'm a believer...

in common sense.

If something seems too good to

be true, then most likely it is.

They'll find out soon enough.

In fifty years, will anyone

know what a candle is'!

Doubtful, we've already

stepped into the

Modern age in my father's shop,

and I must say,

it's electrifying.

"London Lamp 8' Electric"?

[EMILY] The bane of Edward

Haddington':
existence.

And worse, founded

by his very own son.

Of course.

Thomas Haddington.

He's the Haddington':

only child,

So the fairy tale ends with him.

[DAVID]What's this for'!

ls this for the Christmas tree'!

I envy him.

He left Gladbury when

he had the chance.

You'd be wise to do the same.

[DAVID]

And what about you'?

[EMILY] My time will come.

When Father's health improves

and he can manage on his own.

[DAVID] Perhaps

we'll find ourselves

In London next Christmas.

[EMILY] If you make it out

of Gladbury intact.

Oh come all ye faithful.

Joyful and triumphant.

Oh come ye oh come

ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,

Born the king of angels.

Oh come let us adore Him.

Oh come let us adore Him.

Oh come let us adore

Him, Christ the Lord.

[citizens talking

and moving about]

[WILLIAM] You must

be the new Reverend.

I'm William Barstow.

Illness kept me from

church on Sunday,

but I've heard about you.

Oh?

My daughter told me the

new reverend is more

than eager to lend

a helping hand,

even if it does mean

wading through mud.

Oh yes, the spirited

Miss Barstow.

[WILLIAM] I've prayed for

something to bring

my Emily back to the church.

Here's hoping it's you.

[WILLIAM] Do you

have your request?

Go on then.

[WILLIAM]

My nephew's a special boy.

Lots of faith.Wants to

be a preacher, like you.

[crowd oohs and awws]

[EDWARD]

Ladies and gentlemen!

Gentlefolks of Gladbury, welcome

to this very special night.

Now feast your eyes on

the amazing, wondrous,

mystical visions bestowed on

generations of Haddingtons.

Gladbury':
very

own Christmas Candle!

[EDWARD]There's a story

that's been passed down

for centuries from

father to son.

On the first Sunday of Advent,

my great-great-great-grandfather

was awakened by a

wondrous light.

[WILLIAM] Poor boy's

parents died a few years back.

We all have our stories.

[WILLIAM] Everyone

here is holding out

for the Christmas Candle.

[crowd oohs and awws]

And where's your request?

Oh, I couldn't possibly.

I'd much rather Charlie

receive the Candle.

[WILLIAM]

Will you be joining us?

[DAVID] Not tonight. I believe

I have a sermon to prepare.

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