sake of yard displays, Christmas cards, and children’ s holiday church plays. In fact, a close reading of the Gospel of Matthew reveals that by the time the wise men arrived on the scene, the shepherds and angels were long gone. Joseph and Mary were living in a house, and the child was probably about two years old.
When I was in Brown County High School, I was interested in theater and had the opportunity to appear in several plays plus do all kinds of stage technical work. I was bitten by the drama bug, and went on to appear in several community theater productions when I was in my 20s.
My rough plan was to end up as a rich and famous Hollywood actor, but, alas ….
When I undertook the pastoral ministry in middle age, I enjoyed my forays into church theatrical production, staging plays and pageants for Easter and Christmas.
I love it when they bring straw into a church for the nativity— that smell of“ new-mown hay” mixing with the familiar churchy smell of candle wax and old hymnals.
Over the years, I’ ve collected or created scripts, tricks, and tips for staging these classic tableaux. I hope to some day put them all together into a book.
Usually Christmas pageants of small churches are pretty bare-bones; but one year, my wife and I attended the annual Christmas dinner and pageant up
in Russellville, and it was amazing. They had an orchestra, two choirs, full staging with lights, and fancy costumes. They even featured a live baby playing the lead role. Most impressive.
I really love the Christmas season, and I try to enjoy all the various facets and happenings of the holiday.
There are certain moments during the season that can draw the spirit of Christmas into your heart.
For some it’ s the opening of presents, the flurry of wrapping paper and ribbon and squeals of delight or smiles of satisfaction. Some people revel in the quiet joy of Christmas Eve, or the gathering of family around the holiday table. Some enjoy the hustle and bustle of scouring the shops and stores, trying to locate the perfect gift for their closest loved ones.
For many years that moment for me was when the angels made their appearance in the church Christmas pageant— little girls in white smocks and angel’ s wings.
Their little voices would say,“ Fear not for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
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