Sunday, December 9, 2001
Sunday, December 9, 2001
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our
trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
The day of the pageant arrived. The congregation sang beautifully some Christmas
carols and the angel choir, complete with haloes, got through their first big number
"almost on key and in unison." The time came for the grand entrance of Joseph and
Mary, with Mary riding on the donkey. She was "carrying what later proved to be a
Raggedy Andy doll." Then it happened.
The donkey made two hesitant steps through the door of the chancel, took a look at the
whole scene, and locked his legs. The donkey would not move and the entire
procession came to a halt. Jerking on his halter had no effect. Neither did some wicked
kicking on the part of the Virgin Mary.
Just then the president of the trustees, seated in the front row and dressed in his
Sunday best, rose to the rescue. The floor was polished cement. With another man
pulling the donkey's halter, the president of the trustees crouched at the stern end of
the donkey and pushed--slowly sliding the rigid beast across the floor, inch by stately
inch. The choir director chose that moment to turn on a tape recorder, which blared
forth a mighty chorus from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This scared the donkey. By
this time everyone was laughing. Organizers vowed never again to put on a Christmas
pageant.
(Ephesians 1:7
NRSV)
There's something very special about Christmas pageants, even those in which
everything seems to go wrong. Robert Fulghum tells about one such Christmas
pageant. Trying to outdo previous years they decided to rent a live donkey for Mary to
ride on. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Have you ever noticed that a lot of
things "sound like a good idea at the time?"
Loving God, sometimes I can be just as stubborn as this donkey. Thank you for the
hope of forgiveness I have in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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