Every year on Christmas Eve, my Dad's church has a Christmas play. And every year, I am part of it. This did not change once I began having children, they just became part of the play also. In fact, James was the baby Jesus for his first Christmas. Before James baby Jesus was just played by a doll, but now baby Jesus is always played by a live baby. That's James for you, setting the standard. That year I played Mary, and Aaron was supposed to be Joseph. But due to the Christmas curse, he was home in bed and my brother Ben stepped in and played the role of my husband. That's how the Christmas play works. It always seems like a bit of a disaster before it begins, but in the end, it is always just perfect.
This year, 3 of the cousins were in the play. William wanted to be a baby lamb, but he turned into a chicken at the last minute. There were no chickens in the stable. He decided to wait until next year when he can be a shepherd and have a big stick. But I'm not really sure if we should add 1 more wild man to the shepherds. Maybe we should just draft these 3 as the 3 wise guys in next year's play.
James really likes being in the play. He tells everyone about it and is quite proud that he gets to do it every year. This year he discovered an added benefit to being in the Christmas play. The angels. 1 angel to be specific. He called her "the littlest angel" and boy did the heavens open when he saw her. It is very strange to have my 4 year old son talking incessantly about a girl, but he was, and he still is. It is January. The littlest angel should be forgotten by now. But no, he wants to send her a Valentine. Oh James, what are we going to do with you?
One of the "disaster" parts of the play is the large number of shepherds we have every year. They aren't really disasters, but they are a lot of little boys, with sticks and itchy tunics who have to stay quiet for a long time before they get on stage and after. All I'm saying is that it can be a recipe for disaster. Especially if you are one of the moms in the back room trying to keep them quiet.
As I said, in the end the play always turns out perfect. This year one of the shepherds gave a very loud and very big and very long yawn on stage. It was very funny. James spent most of the play staring at the littlest angel, baby Jesus didn't fuss and everyone had a good time. Once again Pastor Stan pulled it off. He never lets us down.
James wanted to know if he'd be the only shepherd wearing a tie. I assured him he probably would. He wanted to look good for you know who. 
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the city of David a Saviour has been born. He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 8-11
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