When my kids were younger and we lived in New Jersey, our church organized a Christmas pageant each Christmas Eve for the children's mass. An older child read the Christmas Gospel while an assortment of small shephards and angels, Wise Men and innkeepers, made their way down the aisle to the altar.
By the time First-Born Son was in third grade he was one of the older kids. He'd only stuck it out this long because he aspired to be Joseph.
There was one short "rehearsal" two days before the pageant, during which the parts were announced and costumes sorted out. To keep the whole thing fair, parents were allowed no input as to what part their child might receive.
I sat with the other moms and dads, trying not to pump my fist and exclaim "Yes!" when First-Born Son scored the role of Joseph.
The director then announced which little girl would be blessed with the part of Mary. The lucky child looked to be about seven. Her mother beamed with pride but the girl looked downright alarmed.
"No," she said. "I can't do it."
"Are you sure?" the director asked kindly.
The little girl nodded.
"Wait," her mother sputtered frantically. "Let me just talk to her."
But it was too late. The director consulted her list and announced another name.
"Daughter #1," she said. "Would you like to be Mary?"
Daughter #1 stood next to her brother, much too far away for me to nudge her and say, "Of course you would."
She was only five. I'd had no idea she was even in the running for Mary. There'd been no warning, no time for me to prep her to eagerly pounce on this role of a lifetime.
I held my breath, frozen, and tried to interpret her stoic little face. But her body language gave not a clue.
I needn't have feared. Already Daughter #1's competitive spirit had kicked into gear. She wasn't about to let this golden opportunity pass her by.
"What do you think?" the director prodded. She looked back down at her list. But without so much as a glance in my direction, D #1 gave one quick emphatic nod.
Discreetly I collected their costumes and shooed them out the door. I think some neurotic part of me feared that if the director realized her Mary and Joseph were actually sister and brother, she might rescind the offer.
Over my dead body.
Christmas Eve arrived. Mary and Joseph walked solemnly down the aisle and sat on either side of their baby-doll Jesus as he lay in the manger.
From our seats in the congregation, my mother and I exchanged wicked grins of delight. I was so proud.
Never had something so wrong seemed so very, very right.
Adorable pic...how cute! Ah, the precious memories of their childhoods...for US to cherish!!!
Posted by: SuziCate | December 22, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Now, do you think there's a special place in hell for that? I mean, it's not really bad, but it's not really in the spirit of Christmas, right? These are the things I ponder when I silently cheer LG on as he bites a kid who bit him first. I'm pretty sure it'd be the same section.
The photo is wonderful. She looks very solomn for her role as Mary.
Posted by: Mama Badger | December 22, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Classic.
BTW...Mary looks very depressed and sad. And the baby Jesus appears to weigh almost as much as she does!
Posted by: Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt | December 22, 2009 at 10:47 AM
That photo is classic.
Posted by: LPC | December 22, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Any picture of Joseph?
Posted by: Ocean Girl | December 22, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Ha, with that type of training it is little wonder the University of Notre Dame has that soubriquet.
But what the heck is crawling down the wall behind the child.
Posted by: Vince | December 22, 2009 at 11:22 AM
That is so sweet! And somewhat sacreligious. I'm so proud!
Posted by: Sprite's Keeper | December 22, 2009 at 12:26 PM
My children go to a Lutheran school and they held a Christmas Pageant. Ava was a star and and Aidan a shephard. Ava is only 3, but told me she had wanted to be Jesus' mother. I have to snicker at the irony there==the daughter for an atheist playing Mary.
Posted by: Sandi | December 22, 2009 at 01:18 PM
Oh I loved this! Had me laughing out loud. Hope you got the photos!
Posted by: Menopausal New Mom | December 22, 2009 at 03:16 PM
She looks so solemn in that photo!! Proud mama!!
Our neighbors from hell had their daughter in the choir, and she couldn't get a clear photo of the kid, standing with the other children in front of the altar. She kept trying to get the choir director's attention to move her daughter tot he front rown so she could see her better. (duh!! short kids in front, taller ones in back!!) The director pretended not to hear her. hehehehe I lvoed it!
Posted by: Joanie M | December 22, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Very very sweet. I love that you scanned the old photo too. How did her brother handle it?
Posted by: Erin | December 22, 2009 at 09:59 PM
I remember those Christmas pageants. I never ranked higher than an angel. But oh how I loved the garland halos poised above my head with a wire hanger. Congratulations on your daughter and son's roles!
Posted by: Dreamfarmgirl | December 22, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Such a solemn little face - adorable!
Posted by: Diane | December 22, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Aww I miss Nativity Plays in school! She looks like a lovely Mary and I'm sure Joseph was great too! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!xx
Posted by: Kirsty@Gone Bananas | December 22, 2009 at 11:30 PM
LOL, she looks like the baby kept her up all night! Poor tired Mary!
I'm glad your daughter got the part, but I wonder why the first girl said No.
Congrats to your son for sticking with it to get the part he wanted.
Posted by: Heather | December 23, 2009 at 12:55 AM
That picture is absolutely precious. Love your blog, by the way!
- Rabbit
Posted by: Rabbityblog.blogspot.com | December 23, 2009 at 10:11 AM
You capture the (sometimes insane) pride of a mother so well. I would have felt the same way, secretly of course. Glad you could share that moment with YOUR mother.
Posted by: Jane | December 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM
score!!! you and I are so much alike. I would have had the exact same reaction ;)
Posted by: jessica | December 23, 2009 at 11:19 PM
What a beautiful photo. Those big, beautiful eyes.
Posted by: class factotum | December 24, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Oh, what an incredibly sweet story...and that photo! Priceless!
What a treat that must've been for you and your family to see them both perform!
That doesn't happen very often!
Posted by: kathryn | December 27, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Oh yeah! *slapping a virtual five with you* That's super cool for your kids and for you, you "stage mom. " :-)
Posted by: Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings | December 28, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Oh that's too cute! You guys ruled the show that night..
Posted by: Casey | December 30, 2009 at 10:56 AM