The Christmas Play

It was a Christmas concert that brought back the memories.
It was a Christmas concert filled with children that belong to a home school group.
Almost ninety children were on the stage.
Children of all ages, they went from first grade through twelfth grade.

I was invited by a friend of my youngest daughter.
I know you will be blessed, she said.
She was right.
Children in their Christmas best singing their hearts out to the Lord.

The youngest ones had hand bells in their hands.
With precision they moved their hand at the appropriate time.
They waited until just the right moment.
They waited until it was their turn.

Each bell had a different tone.
These little children played a Christmas carol without one mistake.
All of us in the audience sang along in our heads.
One note was a bit delayed; we waited, knowing it was coming.

Finally it came.
The note we were all waiting for came.
The little one that was responsible for that note just smiled.
All of the adult hearts in the room melted.

As I smiled at the innocence of the pause, I realized that it pointed to a greater truth.
Waiting for that note to sound was very much like the season of Advent.
The waiting.
The anticipation of something you know is going to come.

There was another choir many years ago.
I remember a young boy that was in the middle row.
This young boy was terribly shy.
This young boy did not like to talk very often since he stuttered quite severely.

Merciless teasing happened quite often.
The fact that he did not belong to any group was painful for him.
He was a smart little boy, but no one realized it.
He could not articulate his thoughts or answer quickly in class.

He was labeled.
He was named.
He was ostracized.
He was lonely.

But then there was the Christmas play.
The play where most children found themselves in the chorus.
However some children had lines to say.
It happened on the afternoon of one of the practices.

This young boy was in the chorus like most of the other children.
He would never try out for a speaking part.
He sat alone in the auditorium each day, watching and listening.
He got up on the stage when it was his turn and sang his heart out.

He sang his heart out.
One of the teachers, who was responsible for the play, took notice.
She watched this young boy who never missed a beat.
She watched his face as he sang.

He did not just sing words and notes.
He sang with his heart.
He worshiped.
He was different from the other children, but not in the way they thought.

While others were teasing, he was listening.
While others avoided him, he watched everything that was going on.
While others fidgeted when they were tired of standing still, he stayed focused.
The teacher noticed.

At the end of the play, it was time to read the passage from Luke, chapter two.
That part had not been given to any student because it was usually read by the teacher.
However, not this year.
This year, the teacher who was watching made an announcement.

We are going to do something different this year, she said very seriously.
This year one of the students will read the account from Luke’s gospel.
As if on cue, all of the students sat a little straighter in the auditorium seats.
Each one had a desire to read the passage from Luke, chapter two.

This year, I am appointing one student to do this very important job.
This student must speak clearly so that everyone can hear.
This student must speak loudly so that those in the back can understand every word.
Every student waited to hear their name.

This year, the student who will read this very important passage is…
Everyone turned around and stared at the young boy who never talks.
Everyone turned around and stared at the boy who is always alone.
Even the other adults in the room thought it was some cruel joke.

The young boy walked up on the stage.
The other students began to giggle.
The other students whispered behind their hands and pointed their fingers.
The young boy walked with his head held high keeping his eye on the teacher.

He climbed the stairs and turned towards the audience.
Not one friend gave him a thumbs up, or a smile.
The teacher put her hand on his small shoulder.
Go ahead, we’re waiting, she said confidently.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)

Every eye was on this young boy.
Every ear was tuned into every word.
Even the janitor in the back of the auditorium understood everything he said.
This young boy spoke clearly without a hint of stuttering.

It was not a cruel joke.
Rather, it was a prompting by the Holy Spirit that caused the teacher to call this boy forward.
She knew he could do it.
He knew he could do it; they were not his words rather they were God’s Word.

God’s Word does not return void.

So is My Word that goes out from My mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purposes for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

God’s Word goes forth.
We waited for the note to be heard on the bell and it finally came.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2)
He who is the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

God’s Word goes forth.
In the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to tell the Story.
We must tell the Story.
Let them laugh; let them point their fingers; let them tease.

God’s Word goes forth.