Christmas--that red and green time of hope and joy--wishes and excitement!
It was Christmastime in 1973 when I was chosen to play an important role in our school holiday play. I went to a small, village school in England, where there was NO separation of church and state. There was a small, cobbled/brick church attached to our school in Chevington. We went to a church service each Wednesday, as I remember. Naturally, being a Christian school/church, we learned all about Jesus and the Bible and those sorts of things.
For Christmas one year, we were doing a performance of the "birth of Jesus", including a nativity scene in the play. I remember being chosen to play "the most important role" as the teacher told us.
All students were jealous of me when I was chosen to play Gabriel, the head angel. Looking back, I am certain I was chosen because of my great ability to memorize lines and speak with great fluency. At the time, though, we ALL thought I was just loved more than the others, and was more special! :D
For Christmas one year, we were doing a performance of the "birth of Jesus", including a nativity scene in the play. I remember being chosen to play "the most important role" as the teacher told us.
All students were jealous of me when I was chosen to play Gabriel, the head angel. Looking back, I am certain I was chosen because of my great ability to memorize lines and speak with great fluency. At the time, though, we ALL thought I was just loved more than the others, and was more special! :D
My job, partway through the musical play, was to step forward, spread my angelic arms out wide, and say loudly and clearly, "HARK! Do not be afraid, for I am the angel Gabriel. I bring you tidings of great joy. For born unto you on this day in the city of David is a savior...and his name is Jesus Christ!"
At this point, we sang a song of some sort. THEN, someone announced that the baby was born...and all the "shepherds" who were tending their flocks by night ran out from the outer circle of children and gathered round the Christ child, peering with great interest at the baby, who was the son of God, the savior of man.
At this point, we sang a song of some sort. THEN, someone announced that the baby was born...and all the "shepherds" who were tending their flocks by night ran out from the outer circle of children and gathered round the Christ child, peering with great interest at the baby, who was the son of God, the savior of man.
Hark! Do not be afraid...
The shepherds guarding their flocks by night gathered round to see the new baby!
Look, here I am, playing the head angel Gabriel! My big starring role! I remember being THRILLED with the large, star crown made of foil over a cardboard star and circlet. I remember LOVING the beautiful angel wings and belt made of silver garland. To this DAY I love silver garlands!
LATER....
after Christmas was over I lay in front of the telly, watching some show or other. I was wearing one of my favorite, new bathrobes and holding onto a kitty toy that I received this holiday from an auntie. The kitten toy was stiff and cheap, as I recall, but I loved it because it was a cat and I knew we would NEVER have a pet cat because my father HATED cats! This was the closest I would ever get, and I know I was given this toy because I loved kitties so much but would never get one.
So here I lay, cuddling this stiff and awkward kitty toy, and out new puppy, Shandy, decided to come close and cuddle with me.
As I lay on the floor watching t.v., Shandy moved closer and closer, eventually, laying between my two outstretched legs. She lay her head on my bum and fell asleep for the longest time! I thought nothing of this, since I was enjoying children's tv programs, and she was warm and cozy. I recall my mother coming in the living room and LAUGHING!!! "Hold still" she said, as she ran to get her camera. "DON'T MOVE! I want to take a picture of you." I lay as still as possible, while she took photos of me watching tv and the new puppy resting her weary head on my buttox!! I STILL remember the feeling of this sleepy puppy making a puppy pile with me and my bum!
LATER....
So here I lay, cuddling this stiff and awkward kitty toy, and out new puppy, Shandy, decided to come close and cuddle with me.
As I lay on the floor watching t.v., Shandy moved closer and closer, eventually, laying between my two outstretched legs. She lay her head on my bum and fell asleep for the longest time! I thought nothing of this, since I was enjoying children's tv programs, and she was warm and cozy. I recall my mother coming in the living room and LAUGHING!!! "Hold still" she said, as she ran to get her camera. "DON'T MOVE! I want to take a picture of you." I lay as still as possible, while she took photos of me watching tv and the new puppy resting her weary head on my buttox!! I STILL remember the feeling of this sleepy puppy making a puppy pile with me and my bum!
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