Read all the way to the bottom, even if you
THINK you know what it’s going to say…
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm
and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations – extensive
card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even
overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate
the precious family moments, and of course, the true
meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was
an exciting season for a six year old.
For weeks, he’d been memorizing songs for his school’s
“Winter Pageant.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d be working the
night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment,
I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there’d be a dress
rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable
to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes
early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around
the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to
their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class,
accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.
Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to
the holiday as “Christmas,” I didn’t expect anything other than
fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus,
snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son’s class rose to sing, “Christmas Love,” I was
slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy
mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row- center stage – held up large letters, one
by one, to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing “C is for Christmas,” a child would hold
up the letter C. Then, “H is for Happy,” and on and on, until
each child holding up his portion had presented the complete
message, “Christmas Love.”
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her;
a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter “M” upside
down – totally unaware her letter “M” appeared as a “W”.
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little
one’s mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her,
so she stood tall, proudly holding her “W”.
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter
continued until the last letter was raised,
and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we
celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos,
there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud
and clear:
“C H R I S T W A S L O V E”
And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence… .humbled by His love.
Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!
Submitted by Bob Stanley
December 7, 2011
Categories: Bob Stanley, Books & Publications, Events, Humor, Inspirational . Tags: "W", christ, christmas, love, pageant, school . Author: Doug Lawrence . Comments: 1 Comment