Child of God
“God sees you not unlike we see a child in a Christmas play. No matter how well the child acts, whether or not the child remembers his or her lines, whether the child picks up the cues or drops the props, we’re full of delight, compassion, encouragement, and gratitude for how well the child does. We are all children of God. And God adores us.”
-Br. Curtis Almquist, Society of Saint John the Evangelist
I love Christmas pageants. I love seeing the tiny faces behind bathrobes and halos and blue scarfs, and crowns, and towels as they carry jeweled gifts, sheep and other stuffed animals, stars, shepherd’s crooks from canes, drums, flowers, tambourines, magic wanes, and of course a new baby. They have marvelous lines, “Glory to God, Do not fear, Nothing is impossible with God, Yes, Come and See, No room in the end, For unto you, Christ is born, All is calm, We saw his star, Peace on Earth.” Frantic directors have no idea what will happen. Nervous parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends conceal illegal flash cameras needed for the darkness at most of the event to document each staring role. Soloists are abundant. Some of the best male singers know their voice is changing and could go out any minute. The tiniest angels usually steal the production from the silent baby who never cries.
Remember Brother Almquist’s message as you watch these Christmas pageants this week. It is not difficult to see and know that God loves every one of these precious children honoring God in this spectacle of love. God especially loves every one of the members of this Christmas cast. God sees all of us as participants in this messy Christmas pageant that we daily live in. and God dearly loves each of us just as God loves these children no matter how well we or they remember our lines or sing our solos or keep from knocking down the scenery.
Joanna. Joannaseibert.com