Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Advent and The Christmas Pageant

North Star, Stars, Night, Night Sky, Sky
Courtesy of Pixabay


It seems so long ago since the child in me attended Sunday school.  Sitting in the quant First Reformed Church.  My mother didn't go to church but,  she felt we should attend.  My aunt taught Sunday school and she certainly had an unruly group of students.  She was helping with the Christmas Pageant and the kids in her class would star in the Christmas Eve Show.  We had a few weeks to practice for this special event.  I was chosen to play Mary and I remember being elated.  My grandmother would sit at her old singer sewing machine patiently sewing my blue tunic and habit.  She told me that blue was a fitting color for me and I guess she was right.

Each week we practiced. It was the weekly comedy show at the First Reformed Church.  The boys designated to be kings were always throwing the gifts around and pushing each other.  The angels talked constantly and never knew their lines.  I was always day dreaming somewhere past the stained glass. Each week it looked like we would never get our act together.  The minister came and talked to us about the importance of Christmas and how the congregation would be depending on us to shine with Christmas light.

The big night arrived and by some miracle everyone did their part.  Towards, the end the lights were dimmed and candles were lit.  I lifted baby Jesus from the manger and presented him to the congregation.  The church  choir broke out  in song.  I don't remember why I  lifted him up or even if I was supposed to but, this memory seems to arise this time of year and it makes me smile. In that small country church surrounded by light, I believed there was something greater out there happening.

The shaman in me has traveled many miles since those days in my spiritual journey. But, I continue to search for light and I choose the frequency of love.

season of advent
memories of a childhood
candles glow with light

 linking with earthweal 

Peace, light and love

Thank you for visiting

16 comments:

  1. This is absolutely beautiful from first word to last. I LOVE that you raised the Baby up towards the congregation. The intuitive wisdom of children. A wonderful read on a dark winter morning.

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    1. Thank you my friend! I guess I was caught up in the moment.

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  2. Oh I loved it too that you raised the baby up to show the congregation. There is something greater out there happening...and one does not have to be a poet to be aware of it...it is all around us. Lovely poem

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    1. Thank you Rall, I still believe there is something greater out there in the universe

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  3. Your haibun made me smile ... and brought back so many memories similar to yours. Thank you and cheers!

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    1. Smiles are good, I am glad my haibun brought one into your life.

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  4. What a lovely recollection of that time. May those happy times bring you much love and peace.

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    1. Thank yo Grace, I think the advent season stirred some memories.

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  5. For years I ran from childhood memories, drowned them in present sorrows. Then it was time to wake and look back. 35 years ago I wrote a Christmas reverie much like this one, and it lit a candle to hold in all the dark that I could believe in and love. The shaman's heart is held there with the oldest & deepest roots. Amen and thanks for lighting this at earthweal.

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    1. I think we need to keep that candle flickering as it lights the way through times of darkness and despair. Light one candle of hope, peace, joy and love. May the gift of light be with you always. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.

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  6. Hi True — May the joy of the season fill your heart here at the closing if the year 2021, and may peace abide in 2022. This is a most difficult time for our planet earth, and a time of turmoil for its peoples. May 2022 begin the way back! ✌🏼❤️🌎

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    1. Hi Rob

      Thank you for the thoughtful comment and wishes. The earth is suffering and so are it’s people. It’s heartbreaking but, I continue to hope for better days.

      Peace and love to you

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  7. What a wonderful remembering of the true light the shamanic child carries. I enjoyed reading your story . Suzanne - Mapping Uncertainty

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    1. Hi Suzanne thank you, I felt moved to share a story of light. We need to keep hope in our hearts.

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  8. I always wanted to be Mary in the school Nativity, but never got the chance. I imagine it would have been as magical as you describe! I did a star turn as the camel once 🤣

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