The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

In fifth grade I read the book. Twenty-ish years later it re-entered my radar when my girls wanted to try out for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, our church's first children's theatrical endeavor. We went to the library and checked out the book and the book on cd. We listened to the entire thing, and then some, on our commute to school.

And it rocked my world.

First of all, the woman that reads the story for the cd was phenomenal - she did the voices of every character in the book, and they were all unique and awesome. Secondly, the story is straight up hilarious. And thirdly, it's about an "un-churched" group of hoodlums discovering the wonder and love of Christmas. And I get all teary.

Seriously, have you read this story? I totally remembered the cover of the book, with its shouty looking, haphazard angel. But the comedy and poignancy I believe were largely lost on my fifth grade self. This time around I was so moved by the character of Imogene Herdman (the cigar-smoking, straight talking, eldest sibling of the six Herdman children, who plays Mary in the church pageant), I dreamed of having another baby girl so I could name her Imogene.

Anyway.

Olaiya and Naomi tried out and both landed speaking parts. Two and one lines respectively. They attended 3 hour long practices on many Sunday afternoons. Got to hang out with amazing older kids and grown ups that loved on them big time. Created angel costumes out of a bed sheet, two pair of birthday-party butterfly wings and a bottle of shimmering gold paint. And had last week full of dress rehearsals, performances and late bed times.

The shows this weekend were amazing. The combination of a carol-led, candle-filled, precious and poignant pageant within an action and laughs laced play, packs a serious one-two punch. And the actors, big and small, delivered.

My babies were up on stage amidst the big kids no sweat. Olaiya can nearly recite the whole show verbatim. Naomi now has quite the Christmas carol repertoire. And their at home "performances" have since acquired a certain air of "we know how this works".

With it all said and done, I'm super thankful that a) this was the play of choice b) such wonderful people ran the show c) we got to have a different set of friends with us for each performance and d) we had little girls gamin' to be part of it all.

If you haven't read or heard this book, do it.

Our pal Riley spying me in the front row and sisters making their stage debut together (check out their hands!)


Love Naomi's little face.

And Olaiya's.

When I asked Naomi what was her favorite part she said, "My bowing."

The usual suspects - Delia, Riley, Bella, O and N

Sweet "big" girls

The playbill bios (they even had photos!): Olaiya Lewis (Baby Angel Shirley) is 5 years old. She likes going to Kindergarten and she has, "been waiting to be in this play for years and years". She would like to thank you for watching this play. This is her first play.

Naomi Lewis (Baby Angel Juanita) is 3 years old. She likes to play with her friends Deli and Julia, drink smoothies, ride on the scooter with her sister Olaiya and draw pictures. She would like to thank Riley and Will because she loves them. This is her first play and she would like you to clap your hands.

(line I missed) Olaiya: I can't find my halo.
Naomi: My wings are all bent.
Olaiya:...