Daily Gratitude Year 7-Day 312: Today, I am grateful for "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".
I've known the story, but had never seen the show or read the book... until tonight.
Morton High School students presented the play tonight and it was delightful. Humorous... but poignant, too. The story points to the true meaning of Christmas and reminds us that Joseph and Mary were humble, weary travelers in a strange town. It reminds us that Jesus came for everyone... even the "worst children in town". It tugs at your heartstrings and makes you smile at the same time.
The six Herdman children are a pageant director's worst nightmare. They are unruly. They interrupt. They are dirty and rough around the edges. Yet, when they hear the story of birth of Jesus and the circumstances, it resonates with them. In some ways, they relate to the "real" Bethlehem experience than the other children who know the story so well. The other children can recite the lines and tell of the events, but it never quite pierces their hearts.
The Herdman children... who were familiar with social services, struggles and the welfare system... they can relate to a Baby Jesus with no bed and only rags for clothes. The could connect with a Josephy, Mary & Jesus who were "cold, hungry and messy". They understood troubles, fear and relying on relative strangers for help. When a tear rolls down the face of the rough and tough Imogene Herdman at the end of the show, my heart felt the pull.
"But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart."-Luke 2:19
If you live locally... Saturday it is at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Bertha Frank Center. It is well worth the hour. It is a wonderful way to start begin the holiday season and support local arts.
Claude Herdman (Thomas Vastine) to the right of the cross ... in the white t-shirt and jeans... he is extra special to me. What a fun night!
Today, I am grateful for "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".
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