Chapter 3 – The Christmas Play

Along about late November we began talking about putting on a play for Christmas. Most of the kids never went to church, although 3 or 4 went regularly with their mothers. None of the kids attended our little Epiphany Episcopal Church across the road from where we lived and where we went to church, but we decided to ask Pastor Gabriel if we could use the church and invite the community. He thought that was a wonderful idea and helped us along the way. The school director (who was also a leader in the church) was on hand to help keep the kids in line during practices and also to read the scriptures.

I had no money for costumes, so I sacrificed a few sheets from the guesthouse. We made crowns from cereal boxes covered with aluminum foil and black beards from some leftover black felt. The costumes for the wise men, shepherds, and Mary and Joseph were made. Angels wore the pastor's white robes and silver tinsel crowns and carried stars made from more cereal boxes and aluminum. Our cute little sheep (the little girls) wore long white tee shirts and long white tube socks on their hands and arms. Monique made hoods from the contoured sheet corners and we sewed little ears on them. The girls could do a good "baaaaahh!"

The day of the dress rehearsal I suddenly became aware that not one child knew the story of the birth of Jesus. They had never ever seen a picture of the nativity. Even Pastor and the school director had never seen a picture of what life looked like during the time of Jesus' birth. I quickly made copies of the nativity downloaded from the internet and suddenly the light bulb went on. "Look," Chelene said, "that's me! I'm Mary." Unfortunately the day of the play was also the day after Mariloud's funeral when everyone in the community goes to the house of the family of the deceased. Only one parent saw our first theatrical production. However, about 60 church members and others enjoyed the story of Jesus' birth.

Success takes many forms. This day's success was in the hearts and minds of the kids who put on a play for Christmas. Chelene will always be drawn to the story of Mary. Little Pushli will be told over and over that he was a perfect baby Jesus. The shepherds, wise men, and sheep will never forget their costumes or their parts. The angels will remember being an angel forever, if just for one day!

As for me, I will always smile when I look at our group picture, a rag-tag group of kids who didn't yet know the Savior they portrayed. Oh God, what will become of these children? What do You have in store for them?.....and me?

(To be continued)