But Mary Pondered All These Things In Her Heart...

I remember a couple of years ago when Fifi produced, directed and starred in a living room version of Snow White. She put Dumpling in costume, assigned the stairwell landing as the water well for the big solo, and dressed then-2 year old Cuddlebug in an over-sized t-shirt and too-big baseball cap and called her "Dopey," (though both little girls always called him "Dumpy"). Cuddlebug ran around the set stealing the show as Fifi directed and played the parts of the wicked stepmother, the prince and the woodsman. I'm not sure how she did it, but Husband and I remember being pretty "wowed!" at her creativity and skill.

I live with 3 little actresses. And last night they found an outlet. It is not an overstatement to quote Dumpling in describing it as, "glooooooorious!" Our sweet friends who are also most talented hosts, (even with a newborn) have pulled together costumes, scripts, Christmas carols and sets, and with them, annually hold 2-3 pageant parties for friends and neighbors.

This year, we were blessed to be invited to one. Fifi joined their oldest girl, and the two shared the honor of portraying the announcing Angels. Such inflection! So sober and profound! Both girls were wonderful, and I know Fifi must have felt it a dream realized to be in a play...with other people...who could read!

Cuddlebug and the other family's 2 year old were shepherds, complete with stuffed lambs which they inadvertently trampled in their haste to laud the baby Saviour after being invited by the heralding Angel. So funny! This commitment was just her speed.

Dumpling was cast by the host family as Mary, and I dare say a sweeter Mary never found her way to the stage. Dumpling was very maternal, even improvising some during our final carol, "Oh Come Let Us Adore Him," during which she scooped the baby Jesus doll out of the manger and cared for him in such a way that if a doll could be made real by love, this one would have cooed. She soaked it all up...the pretty costume, the bright shining Angel, the handsome Joseph, the darling baby, the adoring shepherds and of course, the wise men bearing gifts (even though truly they didn't arrive for up to two years after the birth)!

And I'm profoundly thankful for last evening: for the simplicity of it, the beauty of it, the fellowship, the childish delight, for the learning application that is always a part of children playing out their history lessons, and of course -- that there is such a story to tell.