Christmas Devotional/Ward Party

 Jeffrey and I were asked to participate in the Christmas Devotional/Ward Party tonight at 6 pm. When we arrived the children were practicing for their nativity play. We could tell at a second that it would be a memorable play. It was!

The young missionaries are Elders. One looks American and the other is native African. He can play the piano. He had a keyboard tonight and helped the children rehearse. He played a soft musical accompaniment or loud if they were singing. We had arrived at 6 pm when we were told the night would begin. The children were running through their play. A woman who was obviously in charge set about directing and showing them when to come and when to come out from the back of the audience. There were about 10 of us who were sitting waiting and watching the children. It was about an hour or so later that some more adults came into the chapel and the program began.

After the prayer, singing and announcements, Jeffrey and I started out reading the story of Christ's birth from the Book of Mormon and added our testimonies. We all sang a hymn and then the children began. 

A young man in a robe with a staff came bent over as an old man while the American missionary read about Zacharias. The African missionary played something in the background. The first missionary read about Zacharias in the temple. A young man all in white and probably a long black wig came in the side door slowly waving his arms up and down as he walked over to 'Zacharias'. When the 'angel' startled Zacharias the keyboard gave a loud discordant sound. I couldn't help but start laughing. They acted out the rest of the scene and departed. 

Elizabeth and Mary meeting. I didn't understand the words but could feel the good message.

The next scene was Elizabeth and Mary after the missionary read about Mary and Joseph being espoused and Mary expecting the son of God. There was a great deal of joy, hugging, and laughing. Most of what the children said was in their own language, so it was very nice that it was action.

Elizabeth came in bent over moaning with Zacharias at her side (by now I am laughing hard as she looked like a mother in pain) and went out the back and then came in the side door a minute later with a swaddled baby (doll). Zacharias wrote the word John and held it up to the children in costume gathered round while the missionary read the story.

Joseph and a pregnant Mary

Then a bent over Mary with a "baby belly" walked in with Joseph and out the back while one missionary read and one missionary played. They came back in again, laid the baby (doll) in a manger (basket). Little children in sheets settle in front of the basket, I am assuming as sheep or cattle.

Angels visiting

This is where everything gets exciting. Angels in two rows dressed in white coming from the back of the room sing as they slowly wave their arms up and down. They continue to sing as they circle from each side behind Mary and Joseph and then go up the opposite of the aisles they came down. 

Angel on his way to visit the shepherds

Shepherds were sore afraid

The same angel in the black wig waves his arms as he comes to the shepherds in the corner  who were "afraid" and a discordant sound from the keyboard comes again sending the audience into loud laughter. The shepherds nod to baby Jesus as they go to the back of the room and come back with the angels coming down the aisle as Kings with gifts this time. 

The angels are all singing a different song still waving their arms slowly. This time the angels and Kings stay behind the couple with baby Jesus and the sheep or cattle covered children.

Kings bearing gifts behind the angels going up the aisle

All gathered round the Holy Family

With all the children in a scene they break into a wonderful song of joy that sounds familiar but is in their own tongue. I felt like getting up and dancing with them. 

A few more songs and messages, then a prayer and we went out to the hallway where they were handing out dinners in a little box in a sack with a drink. The Bishop has said we could not sit and eat together like in years past, but were all to go home to stay safe.

The feeling of joy was really awesome! A very memorable and touching evening.