Memories

By Connie S. Arnold

It was coming up on Christmas, and I was to plan the children’s program at church. We  wanted something familiar, yet we wanted to present it a little bit differently. The first thing I looked around for was help, and I was overwhelmed with the enthusiastic volunteers.

I decided to write our Christmas play. The platform was to be turned into a living room completely ready for the holidays with decorated tree. The opening scene was a father sitting in a rocking chair with his son on his lap, reading the Christmas story to him. The father held a large storybook behind which he could hide his speaking part. We’ve all needed cheat sheets at some time, and his part was a long one.

As the story unfolds, the cast of characters appear as their entrance into the story is told. We had an artist in our congregation in charge of costuming. Everyday items took on new meaning. Bathrobes became cloaks for the shepherds held together by rope belting; bath towels were fashioned into head coverings; grandpa’s canes became the shepherd’s crooks.

Our artist created a large hand puppet of a lamb’s head that could be seen peeking out of the sleeve of one of the shepherds. He looked so real that you wouldn’t have been surprised to hear, “baa, baa”.

One shepherd led a donkey. A small bike with training wheels was transformed into a little donkey. Its head wasn’t as realistic as our lamb’s head, but it’s shaggy coat and stringy tail established the illusion.

Kings were given the fancier bathrobes. Afterall, they were rich. Light cardboard crowns from Burger King, wrapped in shiny foil, gave them dignity. Gift boxes covered with gold spoke of expensive offerings. Costumed like this, the boy kings stood tall and regal.

Mary and Joseph with Baby Jesus was, of course, front and center and the reason for the visitors. Joseph was dressed similar to a shepherd and Mary in a long, blue dress with a white shawl head covering. The Babe, swaddled in white, lay on the straw-filled, scissor-legged manger. An angel did stand behind the Holy Family, spreading white gauzy wings in their honor. Not much originality here.

The scenes were all accompanied by the Christmas songs that introduced each group and their origins. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night” and “We Three Kings Of Orient Are” were the favorites.

Years have passed since that particular performance. Somewhere in my files, I have the manuscript for that play. The lamb puppet made a trip to Germany with the artist, whose husband was transferred there, where it was used in another children’s program.

Memories were made that night. Sometimes it takes time to make memories, but the warm glow that spans the years never cools.

CSA­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________