Journey Journals: Day 8: A Christmas Pageant

I've always suspected that not only was Mary gentle, obedient, and reflective, but that she was also strong. I mean, she'd have to be to deal with the gossip of being unmarried and pregnant. And think of the physical strength she'd have needed to travel (by foot or on a donkey) at nine months pregnant. Yes, she must of have been strong. And tonight, if there were any doubts, I have been convinced.

Our friend Rory, who happens to be three years old, had been excited all week about his role in the Sunday School's Christmas play. He had a few short lines, which he had memorized. And. He got to play Joseph. Which means, he would get to walk around the sanctuary and then down the centre aisle with his friend Hannah, who had the role of Mary.

The Sunday School Christmas play was tonight. Rory's mom and dad had prepared a simple costume for him (a towel on his head, and a big brown t-shirt with a big belt around it). But Rory wanted nothing to do with costumes. Nothing. In fact, he wasn't so sure he wanted to be part of this crazy play at all. As his mom tried to convince him to wear the costume and play the role of Joseph, Rory's last ditch effort to get out of it was this: "Mom, funny guys don't wear costumes." And Rory is, definitely, a funny guy. He couldn't risk his funny guy reputation by wearing a costume.

No problem. Just get one of the other little boys in Sunday School to step in and play Joseph. Wrong. There are no other little boys in Sunday School. Seriously. But, there are little boys in the nursery, including Rory's little brother, Jonas, which almost sounds like Joseph. So, 1 year old Jonas, who can't really verbalize his protests against costumes, was suited up to play Joseph. Someone else read Rory's lines, but Jonas got to walk around the sanctuary, hand in hand with Hannah (age 6).

Jonas was doing great. But just as they were about to head down the centre aisle to join all the little animals and angels on the stage, Jonas got distracted and started to head in another direction. Well, Mary couldn't really have her husband desert her, not after all they'd already been through. No way, Joseph, you're in this with me! Mary did what she had to do. She picked up Joseph and carried him the rest of the way.