When Christina Mathers stepped inside the church for the first time in her life, she wasn’t expecting to feel…what was that feeling? Hopeful.
She was only there to watch her friend’s daughter Holly perform in the Christmas nativity. Holly was a Christmas star and was waving frantically at her mother, Dee, who waved back as Christina’s gaze wandered to the stained glass windows and glistening fairy lights. Her nose twitched as she breathed in the scent of burning candles.
She’d never been excited by the Christmas season, just couldn’t see the point. Being single and never having had children of her own gave her even less reason to celebrate. She had family, and although she loved her sister, she struggled with her passive aggressive manner that could only be managed in small doses. And her parents argued about the same things every year, how the tree should be decorated, how the turkey should be cooked, who made it on to the Christmas card list. She felt like she didn’t belong.
Christina hated Christmas traditions altogether. They were stupid and pointless, but the one she hated the most was these blasted nativity plays where children dress up to act out something they probably didn’t believe in.
No amount of mulled wine, mince pies or carolling could put her in the festive mood. Christmas day was just another day, and she couldn’t wait for it to be over. She slouched in the pew with her arms folded, and sighed.
‘Cheer up, you’re going to love it, I bet by the end you’ll be smiling.’
‘Dee, I love you, that’s why I’m here, but telling someone to cheer up has never cheered anyone up.’
The vicar, who looked about 98, stood at the front and hushed everyone as the play was about to start. Around 30 children in various costumes broke into an interesting rendition of Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. Christina shut her eyes and yawned, but was quickly elbowed awake by Dee. ‘Ouch,’ she said rubbing her arm. Sitting up straight, she watched as Mary and Joseph took to the stage.
‘The time came for Mary to give birth,’ narrated Miss Cain.
But no one could find the baby Jesus.
Mary glared at Joseph with her hands on her hips and mouthed something to him. Joseph glanced around the church before raising his arms and shrugging. Mary stamped her foot, Miss Cain released a heavy sigh and everyone laughed, including Christina who found herself intrigued by the whole thing.
‘Everybody look for the baby Jesus,’ Miss Cain said through clenched teeth.
And that’s when chaos erupted.
Children ran around like little wound up toys all bumping into each other. Two angels knocked heads, the donkey skidded on some hay knocking over a king in his wake. A little girl cried, another shouted, ‘I need a wee,’ over and over again. Holly was still waving, ‘hello mummy,’ she called over the chaos.
Miss Cain hurried around the altar, hair stuck to her sweaty forehead, trying to calm her students, and she was regaining control, until a shepherd and an angel shouted out, ‘I found the baby Jesus,’ at the same time.
‘No I did,’ said the angel.
‘I found him’ said the shepherd.
They tugged at the doll, pulling and stretching its arms and legs till eventually they both let go and the baby Jesus went flying up in the air.
The congregation broke into laughter and despite herself, Christina laughed too. ‘Is it always like this?’
‘Every year,’ said Dee, ‘told you you’d smile.’
‘Back to your places,’ shouted Miss Cain, her voice rising in pitch.
The laughter continued, but speaking out amongst the clamour, a little boy with red cheeks and a squeaky voice said, ‘everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God.’
The play continued as if no one had heard it, but Christina had. Wow! She didn’t understand why she felt a stirring in her heart or a tingle over her skin. She felt stuck in a moment while the rest of the play moved on until finally, her bubble was broken by the sound of Away in A Manger. Even Christina knew this one, and she was pretty sure the lyric wasn’t “no crisps for a bed.”
The children had a very forgiving audience and received a standing ovation. Christina remained in her seat, the words still on her mind, believe and become. It sounded like a good deal. Amongst the mistakes and the mayhem, her best friend at her side, she could suddenly see a meaning to the season, and it was a meaning she felt she could get on board with. Perhaps there was somewhere she belonged after all.
Quick Reads 