This reminds me of one of my favorite stories, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I loved reading it to my own children and countless others during my 40 years teaching. And if you’ve ever helped with a church Christmas program, Sean’s description is not only humorous but spot on. Every year the kids bring me to tears because always, in their perfect imperfection, there is hope and redemption.
Me, too, MaryEllen!!! I did the same. I taught first grade for 30 years and truly loved reading and discussing it with my children. One year, all four of our first grade classes performed the entire Charlie Brown Christmas story and songs. It was exhausting but GLORIOUS!!! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it now.😭
HAVE A BLESSED AND GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!🙏❤
Me, too! Just listened to it with our 31- and 23-year-old children while driving enjoying it once again. A Christmas favorite along with The Charlie Brown classic Christmas story.
32 years in first grade. The days were exhausting, rewarding, priceless, and memories I’ll cherish forever. I miss the bright eyed innocence and belief that anything was possible. I really miss reading to them and helping them create visualizations of stories with few pictures and understanding how words could paint a picture. Sean is a master at that.
The story of Christmas is the GREATEST story ever told and sixty-two years ago it changed my life forever. It can change yours too.
“And the angel said unto 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.”
I wanted to have a part in our church’s children’s program for Christmas. I always had to be in the choir myself. We wore the white homemade robe but, we added a big red bow around our necks.
I found out later that the reason that I never got a part wasn’t that the other girls were better actors. They were worse singers! I had a strong voice and really was needed in the choir. So, I guess the choir really is important. But, I would have loved wearing a set of wings to be an angel!
If you’re a fan of the series ‘The Chosen’, Dallas Jenkins (its creator and director) is currently filming a movie in Canada. It’s based on the the book ’The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’. It’ll be in theaters next Christmas season, something tells me it’ll be a classic.
There is a made for tv movie version on YouTube where you’ll get the gist if you’re not familiar with the book. Sean’s column today is a parallel of sorts. Anyway the movie version next year should be much richer. Bring tissues, the whole box.
A flawless segue, Sean, from the prisoner, Charlie, yesterday, to the unwanted child of a prisoner today. Thank you, Father, for Miss Rhonda, who noticed. Matthew 19:14
Karen! You noticed that, as did I, AFTER you brought it to our attention...(though I admit I had to reach for my Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary (1965) to learn what Segue means. Second time a Sean reader has done that.)
And this is how, 60+ years out of school, I continue to learn, ‘cause each of us knows different “stuff!” 😉 Words have always been my thing, but math and science… 🤣 Thanks for taking time to tell me.
I remember a live nativity scene one year and a little girl was using her personal doll as the baby Jesus. When everything was over and all the kids went into the church for hot chocolate and cookies, the little girl stayed. When her mother asked if she was ready to go in, she asked " will my doll still be Jesus when I take him out of the manger?" Her mom said yes and that is how a little girls doll got the name Jesus.
When my granddaughter was 3, she attended a preschool at a local church. She was so captivated by the Christmas story, she named one of her dolls Baby Jesus.
I often heard her tiny voice asking, “Where is Baby Jesus?”
If you have ever been to a Christmas play in a small country church , you have witnessed the Holy event as described. Through the years churches have strayed from the original story of Christ's birth. I believe every child should know the original story and take part in the portrayal. Even if they are a carrot !! May God bless us all, each and every one .
A gracious good morning and happy Monday to all yall. And that's what Christmas is all about ... indeed ! Memories start flowing back into mind like the smell of bread baking, a loved image from long ago. Hold on to those images folks but more importantly, get out there and make some new ones !
My pack has been fed and are lying around like we don't have anything to do !
This reminds me so much of a book I read years ago....a short story called The Best Christmas Pagent Ever. If you haven't read it, you'd enjoy it. Keep a Kleenex handy.
Thanks so much for yet another spot-on description of real people and the real meaning of Christmas!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story my dear friend and for reminding us what Christmas is all about and this child played Mary just perfectly God bless 🙏
How fitting this young lady was chosen, she was broken, like so many of us. She was chosen for this very important role, just as Mary was chosen by God the Father himself, for the most important role as the Mother of our Saviour! God takes worthless sacks of dung and turns us into shinny diamonds! It is time to celebrate the birthday of our King! Amen!
This reminds me of one of my favorite stories, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I loved reading it to my own children and countless others during my 40 years teaching. And if you’ve ever helped with a church Christmas program, Sean’s description is not only humorous but spot on. Every year the kids bring me to tears because always, in their perfect imperfection, there is hope and redemption.
Me, too, MaryEllen!!! I did the same. I taught first grade for 30 years and truly loved reading and discussing it with my children. One year, all four of our first grade classes performed the entire Charlie Brown Christmas story and songs. It was exhausting but GLORIOUS!!! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it now.😭
HAVE A BLESSED AND GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!🙏❤
Me, too! Just listened to it with our 31- and 23-year-old children while driving enjoying it once again. A Christmas favorite along with The Charlie Brown classic Christmas story.
32 years in first grade. The days were exhausting, rewarding, priceless, and memories I’ll cherish forever. I miss the bright eyed innocence and belief that anything was possible. I really miss reading to them and helping them create visualizations of stories with few pictures and understanding how words could paint a picture. Sean is a master at that.
We are kindred spirits!!🥰
Yeah, the Herdmans popped into my feeble mind, too, especially Imogene. What a great story.
Dallas Jenkins, the director of The Chosen, is filming a new movie of this! It will be out next Christmas. Look for it as it should be top notch!
Simply put-
The story of Christmas is the GREATEST story ever told and sixty-two years ago it changed my life forever. It can change yours too.
“And the angel said unto 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.”
The Christmas story does change lives….I’ve had the joy of seeing the transformation!
I wanted to have a part in our church’s children’s program for Christmas. I always had to be in the choir myself. We wore the white homemade robe but, we added a big red bow around our necks.
I found out later that the reason that I never got a part wasn’t that the other girls were better actors. They were worse singers! I had a strong voice and really was needed in the choir. So, I guess the choir really is important. But, I would have loved wearing a set of wings to be an angel!
You represented the angels singing "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men". Sounds pretty important to me.
So glad you found out your wonderful voice was the reason you were in the choir and that you were definitely needed singing.
A strong singing voice is definitely needed in every children's choir and you fit that need!
If you’re a fan of the series ‘The Chosen’, Dallas Jenkins (its creator and director) is currently filming a movie in Canada. It’s based on the the book ’The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’. It’ll be in theaters next Christmas season, something tells me it’ll be a classic.
There is a made for tv movie version on YouTube where you’ll get the gist if you’re not familiar with the book. Sean’s column today is a parallel of sorts. Anyway the movie version next year should be much richer. Bring tissues, the whole box.
A flawless segue, Sean, from the prisoner, Charlie, yesterday, to the unwanted child of a prisoner today. Thank you, Father, for Miss Rhonda, who noticed. Matthew 19:14
From the least likely often comes amazing things……the Bible is full of these characters who our Father chose for various important assignments.
Amen.
Karen! You noticed that, as did I, AFTER you brought it to our attention...(though I admit I had to reach for my Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary (1965) to learn what Segue means. Second time a Sean reader has done that.)
And this is how, 60+ years out of school, I continue to learn, ‘cause each of us knows different “stuff!” 😉 Words have always been my thing, but math and science… 🤣 Thanks for taking time to tell me.
I remember a live nativity scene one year and a little girl was using her personal doll as the baby Jesus. When everything was over and all the kids went into the church for hot chocolate and cookies, the little girl stayed. When her mother asked if she was ready to go in, she asked " will my doll still be Jesus when I take him out of the manger?" Her mom said yes and that is how a little girls doll got the name Jesus.
How sweet!
When my granddaughter was 3, she attended a preschool at a local church. She was so captivated by the Christmas story, she named one of her dolls Baby Jesus.
I often heard her tiny voice asking, “Where is Baby Jesus?”
The innocence of a child.
If you have ever been to a Christmas play in a small country church , you have witnessed the Holy event as described. Through the years churches have strayed from the original story of Christ's birth. I believe every child should know the original story and take part in the portrayal. Even if they are a carrot !! May God bless us all, each and every one .
Love the added carrots!
A gracious good morning and happy Monday to all yall. And that's what Christmas is all about ... indeed ! Memories start flowing back into mind like the smell of bread baking, a loved image from long ago. Hold on to those images folks but more importantly, get out there and make some new ones !
My pack has been fed and are lying around like we don't have anything to do !
Come on ! Let's go to the barn ! And..
Peace
Right behind you RiccyP - empty cup in hand in search of ☕️
And also with you.
Yes Ricky P. So many memories. Hope you and all Sean’s readers have a beautiful week! Blessings to all!
This reminds me so much of a book I read years ago....a short story called The Best Christmas Pagent Ever. If you haven't read it, you'd enjoy it. Keep a Kleenex handy.
Thanks so much for yet another spot-on description of real people and the real meaning of Christmas!
We read this every year when I taught middle school….a fun and touching read aloud!
I loved the "Hey!" part!
Me too! 😄
I loved the "Hey!" part!! 😂.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story my dear friend and for reminding us what Christmas is all about and this child played Mary just perfectly God bless 🙏
How fitting this young lady was chosen, she was broken, like so many of us. She was chosen for this very important role, just as Mary was chosen by God the Father himself, for the most important role as the Mother of our Saviour! God takes worthless sacks of dung and turns us into shinny diamonds! It is time to celebrate the birthday of our King! Amen!
The less you have the more you appreciate what is given you.
Well, you made me cry again Sean. Merry Christmas to all!
So sweet and touching. ♥️🎄♥️
Thanks Sean. Great story to start my day. Wonderful message and warms my heart.
This just filled my heart.