Of Christmas Plays, Poems and Sheep Tossing

I was going to share a Christmas poem I wrote a few years ago, and I will at the end. But first, I have to say a few words about our Christmas Play at church.

What a hoot!

Little kids always make for a good show (some famous person said never follow an animal or kid act, they were right).

We had angels in total chaos, the smallest angel wanting Nanna to the side (who was a moderator), hollering if her mother (the biggest angel) picked her up. I thought that was appropriate, since the other angels were singing 'Away in a Manager'. I figure Baby Jesus hollered, too.

Others were twirling, laying on their bellies with their white frilly bottoms stuck in the air, and one picked up a cardboard sheep and started tossing it around.

Music had to be started over, one angel kept falling down, Mary had on a foot cast, the drummer boy dropped the drum once, and you should have seen the look on his face. Before that, when he came on the stage, as an adult was singing "Little Drummer Boy" (off stage), he very appropriately pretended to play his bright red drum and kneel at the manger. The bossy little red headed angel behind him kept pointing, and telling him he needed to stand over by the "real" drummer. He got really confused, looking between Red and someone off stage, finally mouthing "I don't know where to go."

A shepherd got bored and leaned up against the wall and yawned. At some point, during one of the songs, all the shepherds started keeping time with their staffs, grinning.

Best Christmas Play.

Ever.

O Star whose light was brighter than
Any ever seen by man,
to lead them all to see the sight,
Of manger meek and miracle's night.

O Shepherd! He chose you to come and see,
Because He Himself was One destined to be,
And take up His Staff and lead us - free!

O Tiny Babe with lamb at side,
Who became the Lamb died, crucified,
For any and all to come to Him,
And in His Holy Truth abide.

O Blessed one who believes the Truth,
That God Almighty grew from this Youth.
To save His world and all who say yes,
So He might save, so He might bless!

2012