Unto You A Child Is Born

When my two oldest children asked to audition for the Christmas play that
the Corinth Theatre Arts was producing this year, I was reluctant to allow
them to do it. We were so busy already and I was not sure that we could
manage to add one more activity. Eric assured me that he would be able
to get them there most of the time. This was something that they wanted
to do for a long time so I gave my consent.


I took them to the auditions. I encouraged them to do their best. I also
reminded them that this was their first time trying out for a play, and to
not be disheartened if they did not get a part. They are very talented and
this would be experience for the future. I asked them if they were
nervous and Ty said, “A little.” Tess was just excited. We filled out the
audition forms and walked into the auditorium. I gave them a hug and sat
in the back with the other parents, while they went to sit up front.

Kelly, the director, introduced herself and explained how the evening
would go. The first thing she wanted them to do is to go up on stage one
by one, introduce themselves, and sing a song. My breath caught in my
throat. I knew there would be singing in the play but we had not prepared
anything to sing tonight. I was so far away from the kids; I couldn’t go
down and talk with them about it. All I could do was sit in my seat, wait,
and try not to be anxious for them.

When it was Tess’s turn she did not hesitate. She marched right on stage
and announced she would be singing “Free to Be Me” by Francesca
Battistelli. I smiled as she belted out our family’s favorite tune. She knew
all the words because when the song came on the radio, we
turned up the volume, and all sang at the top of our lungs. She did a great
job. Ty was a bit more nervous as he sang Zac Ephron’s “All Star” from
High School Musical, but he also performed very well.

The rest of the evening went more like what we had prepared for. When
they were done, Ms. Kelly announced that she would post the cast list in a
few days. In the car on our way home, the kids told me that they felt really
good about their audition. I told them how proud I was of them. I told them
that I loved the songs they picked out. I asked them if it had made them
scared when she asked them to sing alone. Tess said, “Why, Momma? I
know I can sing.”

The conversation ceased and we were quiet for the rest of the ride. I
couldn’t keep a smile off of my face. My children amazed me. When I
was a child, I fainted before a school play because I was so nervous about
my role as Sweet Betsy from Pike. All I had to do was dance with my Big
Husband Ike. But to go out in front of all of those people was so scary. I
was so thankful that my kids can perform without letting anxiety control
them.

The cast list went up. Ty was cast as one of the Herdmans’. Tess’s role
was that of an angel. They were so happy. My little actors were very serious
about learning their parts. Ty knew all of his lines within the week. Tess
practiced her one line over and over. Who knew there were one thousand
ways to say, “What’s wrong with my wings?”? They never complained
about the long practices 4 times a week. They did their homework in the
car on the way home or at the theatre. I never had to get on to them.

This past week they performed the play eight times. I was able to go to six
of them. The play is “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”. It is about a
group of basically heathen children, the Herdman’s, who go to church for
the first time and end up taking over the Christmas play. The Christmas
story unfolds for the first time for the children. Their behavior, questions,
and reactions first shock the church members, but eventually teach them
all about the miracle of Christ’s birth and Love that gave the Child in the
first place.

What my children see as something fun, is much more than that. This play
is funny. I laughed and laughed. But it also makes me think. Do I hold to
my traditions and self imposed rules so tightly, I miss sharing a gift so
wonderful as to save the world? Do I turn my nose up, and shake my head
at people who weren’t taught to behave just like me? Does the way I
spend my time, reflect the purpose God intended me for?

I have been beating myself up lately because today, 9 days before
Christmas, I still don’t have any decorations up. No tree, no garland, not
even a wreath. We haven’t baked together, trimmed the mantel, or drank
hot chocolate. I still don’t have all our Christmas presents bought, much
less have them wrapped. I haven’t attended any parties. My Christmas
card pictures still haven’t come in. My hours have been cut at work the
past few months and no extra shifts came my way this year. The number
of gifts that sit on the floor without a tree won’t be as many this year.

Are my kids going to put this down as the worst Christmas ever? I hope
not. They were a part of something beautiful. The time I spent getting them
to practices and performances weren’t wasted. This year, even though I
hope they knew it before, they are seeing that Christ came for all people,
even the messy, misbehaved ones. I hope they will see that Christmas is
still wonderful even without inflatable snowmen on our lawn, lots of ribbon
and greenery, and without the gaming system they wanted. Maybe they
will see that what we give away to others wasn’t as easy as it might have
been. That each gift was given with love that was greater because there
was a little sacrifice involved. I hope that we will be more thankful than
ever for shelter, food, and clothing.

The play runs for three more performances this weekend at Corinth
Theatre Arts. The show starts at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday and at
2 pm on Sunday. Come see it if you can.

Merry Christmas!


HEY! UNTO YOU A CHILD IS BORN!!-Gladys Herdman