I Can't Believe It! A Christmas Pageant

 Advent Season was upon us.  And with less than three months on the job as Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian, Garland; Sue was asked to come up with the Christmas Program for the congregation.  The ever-popular and heavily attended church event was TRADITION and was the kick-off for the Christmas Season.  The Christmas pageant was on the calendar for December 6. Could she pull it off?  Would she need a "Christmas Miracle?   Oh, and besides - the music person was occupied by her husband's serious health issues, and then a bit of guidance from the pastor; "It'd be real nice if we had the basic Christmas Story from the Gospels this year" [last year they had a huge production of an 'Indiana Jones' riff of searching for the meaning of Christmas.  Lots of lines for the kids, not a strong message - just so you know].

Ever resourceful, Sue assured the pastor and staff she could handle it.  But did they truly believe?  Drawing on her experience and deep well of CE resources, she set to on the Christmas Story read by two narrators, the only lines that Mary, Joseph, the angels, shepherds and magi had to say was: "I can't believe it!", or in response, "Believe it!".  The costuming for the characters for this, the first Christmas were charming and endearing bathrobes and assorted sashes and capes of exotic looking fabric scraps.  Simple in staging, simple in rehearsal and simply powerful.

Much of the cast came from the large contingent of Cameroonian kids in the congregation, some shy, some hams.  The cast was appreciative of the simple rehearsal and lack of lines needed to memorize during a busy season.  The volunteer staff helping with the production thought it was a simply brilliant plan.  They too were appreciative of the savings in time.

Maybe there were some who doubted it would come together in time.
Maybe there were some who doubted it would work at all.

But at the potluck dinner following performance, I think if you asked did that work as a kick-off for the Christmas Season?  
I think the answer would be:

BELIEVE IT!

Angels color in the pews
before they are called upon for the
Angelic Choir of Hosts

Mary
Loved to be on stage with her traditional blue cape

The birth of the Christ Child
"and he was wrapped in swaddling clothes laid in a manger"

The angelic Heavenly host were coloring by night
waiting to greet the shepherds with news of great joy

And a star led the magi westward,
stopping over the city of Bethlehem
guiding the magi to the one who was born the King if Israel

The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the baby Messiah born in a common stable
I can't believe it!
Believe it!

A choir of angels ceased their coloring
and sang to the shepherds in the fields
News of Great Joy

The magi inquired of King Herod
where they might find the one who is born
King of the Jews

The magi found Jesus and his mother and worship Him
But being warned by angel, they did not return to tell King Herod

For Advent Season
The Church Potluck Dinner
Held after the Christmas Story has been told by the Children
Mary & Joseph asked the blessing before the meal