Last Sunday, the children in our Sunday School presented “The First Christmas.” The performance was far from polished, but the children’s simplicity and the nonprofessional acting made the story seem authentic.
After all, those who were spectators and participants in the real first Christmas were unsophisticated and unpolished human beings. In a simple manger, God’s great gift of love was given to the world.
As I watched the Sunday School pageant, I thought of the true story of Wally from the Midwest. He was a fifth-grader whose story was publicized a decade ago. The Sunday School teacher asked her students to choose who would have speaking parts in the Christmas play. They chose Wally to be the innkeeper.
Wally was a large boy, friendly, kind and loved by the other students. He was also mentally challenged, so they gave him a part that had one sentence — “Go away, there is no room.” Then he was to repeat it.
During rehearsals, he said his part flawlessly and on cue. On the evening of the performance, he was so excited about speaking before a packed house that he really got into his part.
When Joseph and Mary first appeared, asking for a place to stay, Wally gave his line correctly. But instead of repeating it as Mary and Joseph started to walk away, Wally, tears running down his cheeks, said, “Mary and Joseph, come back. You can have my room.” It was a Christmas play that spectators would never forget.
This year, many Christians around the world are being persecuted, tortured, even slaughtered for their beliefs. Perhaps we should ask ourselves, “Is there room in our lives for the spirit of Christ, his love, his forgiveness, his service?”
More than any other time in my memory, Christians need to make room for Christ in every area of their lives. As Christians, we need to live our faith rather than indulge in trivial pursuits.
Contact Nell Mohney at nellwmohney@comcast.net.