Big Pageant

Several years ago we were members of a huge church in north Atlanta. The active congregation totaled over a thousand members and everything they did was on a grand scale. I remember our first Christmas there. The sanctuary decorations were quite elaborate and a mini orchestra, including a harpist, accompanied the

choir throughout the season. I remember wondering what the children's pageant would be like-live animals, spectacular sound effects??

On the appointed Sunday the pageant was to be a large part of the morning worship service. We arrived at our usual time only to discover that on this Sunday the crowd was so large men with walkie talkies were directing cars to a business parking lot some blocks away and then using shuttle buses to bring people back to the church. We hurried in and found a place to sit in the corner of the balcony.

The minister welcomed everyone and then explained that the children would be in charge of the rest of the service. Lights dimmed, the crowd hushed. Enter the livestock, six or seven 7-and 8-year-olds dressed casually with felt headpieces denoting cattle or sheep. Mary and Joseph followed. They too were wearing simple costumes of terrycloth bathrobes and sandals. Joseph seemed in awe of the crowd and cupped his hands over his stomach. It was difficult to hear Mary speak because her eyes never left the baby doll in her arms. The shepherds shuffled in looking uneasy, almost scared. The angels, a troupe of excited elementary school girls robed in old white choir robes and wire haloes, rushed in breathlessly and took their place overlooking the scene.

As the magi started to make their way up the aisle, I remember thinking, "How ordinary, not at all what I expected," and then, "How REAL-this is so REAL!" The livestock no doubt were confused by the intrusion that night. The shepherds were plainly anxious about following directions relayed by an ecstatic angel. Joseph had to have been nervous and most likely his stomach was tied in knots. And being a mother, I know Mary's eyes never left her new baby.

I don't know what anyone else took away from that pageant. As with most children's programs, the directors were probably relieved when it was over and the cast's parents were undoubtedly proud. As for me, there were many lessons that day. Perhaps the strongest was that amidst all it could have been, when the Creator of all sent His greatest gift, it came to ordinary people, in an ordinary place, intended for ordinary people, just like me. Rejoice!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we celebrate this season in so many different ways, let the simple message of your perfect gift of love stay clear in our hearts. Amen.

-- Carol Keown