…
and a little child shall lead them.
Isaiah 11:6 (NIV)
Over the years I have attended many church Christmas
pageants. Often a narrator reads the story while Sunday school students act the
parts. There is usually a manger scene with Mary and Joseph, angels, shepherds,
and three kings--all portrayed by young “actors.” Loving parents and
grandparents watch, eyes gleaming chuckling when mistakes are made.
When my son was very young he told me that he would be a
“German Shepherd” in his play. Hopefully the presentation was a teachable
moment for all of the participants.
I have witnessed programs of professional quality with
adults acting the parts and a plot that include modern day Christmas as well as
a re-enactments of the first Christmas.
One program stands out in my mind above all others. The
usual parts were represented: angels standing behind the manger appropriately
moving their huge glittery wings. Mary cuddled a human baby Jesus when
necessary. It touched me to hear a woman I know to be a Jewish convert sing
“Mary Did You Know?” Magnificent pageantry accompanied the approach of the
three kings.
None of those things touched my heart as did the last
scene. The lights snapped off and a spot light followed a very small child
walking down the center aisle. She carried a large cross and a crown. When she
arriving at the stage, she laid the
cross beside the manger and the crown at the top. Suddenly, the lights went
dark.
Dear
Heavenly Father, let us never forget that the gift you gave us came in all the
innocence of a baby but faced a future of suffering that would save us all.
©
Christy Struben 2012
1 comment:
I must have missed this one at our meeting. Very nice.
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