O Come Let Us Adore Him!

It started weeks ago… the writing of scripts, the choosing of Christmas songs, the learning of lines, and the creating of costumes. We practiced and practiced. We finally slowed our lines down and could say “Party” instead of “forty” (crazy English words- you got to love Arabic accents), the pre-school had the motions down the “Away in the Manger” and at last Friday came.  It was the BIG day, an entire compound (and some of the community) Christmas program.

Fifteen minutes until show-time and only four kids out of twenty- two were present and accounted for. Finally our missing kids showed up and we were ready! As we marched in our straight line from school to our outdoor performance spot our little actors were looking smart, some even had three piece suits on and the shiniest dress suits you ever did see (sooo cute)!

Card board crowns, check; glitter wings, check; glow-stick halos, check; broom stick staffs, check; colorful African chittangas for the shepherds, Joseph, and Mary, check; cotton ball sheep faces and ears, check; baby Jesus, check.  We were ready to go.

The sky was looking dreary and there was even thunder in the distance, but it did not matter, because every eye was on the children.  Our little actors lined up and Tara and I took our places. And… it began. First, was their recorder song and the people were amazing, because half of the people had never seen anything like this before.  You would have thought there were real angels there, because all of a sudden I was not the only person kneeling on the ground in front of my little stars. People were all around me taking pictures. Then it was just not the kids on the stage, there were people walking all over the stage and behind the stable. They even poked their heads into the stable to experience the birth of Christ with our little cast.  I have never seen anything like it.  When we were finished Seaza (one of the boys) leaned over to Tara and with a look of disappointment asked her if it was finished, if they were only going to do it once.

Yes, they were only going to tell the story of their precious Savior once. Should we not ask ourselves the same question?  Are we only going to tell the story of our precious Savior only once and while? You don’t need fancy sewn robes, angel wings that will last longer than half of a performance, real plastic crowns, or even an audience that sits down and listens.  Instead we have ourselves and the testament that Christ cam and died for us.  Isn’t that something to get out of our seats and take pictures of?  So… are you only going to do it once?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And when they saw it, they made known saying that had been told them concerning the child. And all who hear d it wondered at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2:17,18