The Christmas Story

I can't remember the last time our church had a Children's Christmas Pageant.  It might have been 1995.  Christopher played a shepherd, Elisabeth was Moses.  No, that isn't a mistake, she really did play Moses, white beard and all.  (It would take too long to explain.)

This morning, I watched the children perform the Christmas Story.  I was a little surprised to hear Mary and Joseph sing so off key.  I cringed more than once.  Who cast these children in the part as the Virgin Mary and her beloved Joseph, when it was clearly a musical part?  I did realize, the chosen songs were very difficult.  I was distracted.

I looked hard at each of the children, trying to figure out who they belonged to.  Not a one of them was familiar.  I thought back to when my kids performed.  I recognized each and every child or at least the family they belonged to.  The choir director's daughter sang the solos, my best friend's son was the one picking his nose.

Today was different.  I felt removed from the children.  These were elementary students.  The parents might be young, like I was-early 30's or even late 20's.  I didn't know a single one of them.

Joseph began screeching....I mean singing again.  I wondered how old he was.  Most likely he was 10 or so.  Tears filled my eyes.  These are Ethan's peers.  He is nine.  Under "normal" circumstances, Ethan could be a part of this performance.

What I wouldn't give to watch him play Joseph and hear him singing off-key.  Oh to see him dressed as a shepherd, bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, or the angel who forgot her line.  If Ethan lived here, and was a typical child, I'd know these children as Ethan's friends, the kids in the choir.

Instead, this song seems more appropriate:

Silent Night.  Holy Night.