Winter In Stony Creek

Pastor Pete was excited that they had enough volunteers to fill the committees, and things were looking up for the celebration. He announced that the Celebration would be at the church with a performance from the children. While the committees were getting to work, Pastor Pete asked for all the children to come up front and have a seat. The children were curious about what Pastor Pete would have them do. They sat very still because they were still in the church, and they knew the rules they had to follow. Pastor Pete stood among the group of children and told them that he was planning for them to do a play about how baby Jesus was born. The children had smiles on their faces and were delighted at the chance to participate in the celebration.
Pastor Pete said there were various acting parts, and he felt he knew who would do the best in each role. He got a sheet of paper from his shirt pocket, which he always carried, and was getting ready to read who had what role. He had prayed over his list and believed it was the list he would present to the children. The children were sitting on the edge of their bench, waiting to find out. Pastor Pete started to read off the names. He assigned James Washburn, who was ten, to the role of Joseph, baby Jesus’s father, and Susie Washburn, his sister, seven, the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Susie had trouble walking because she was disabled and used a cane, and James was not happy at the idea of having to be with her throughout the play. The shepherds were Ralph Clark, who was fifteen; Timmy Clark, who was seven; and John Wilson, who was sixteen. Pastor Pete stopped for a minute and thought about things. He said that the shepherds needed a lamb. James Washburn jumped up. “I would be happy to bring one of our lambs if you let me be a shepherd!”
Pastor Pete laughed. “I am pleased that you are willing to bring a lamb, James, but I have prayed about these parts, and the Lord has put it on my heart for you to be Joseph. That is a big part. You are the best choice for it. We will find a lamb somewhere else.” Pastor Pete was pleased with how excited the children were to help him with the play.
Several children had not received a part yet, and he said, “We need angels for our play.” He chose Dorothy Wilson, ten, Laura Wilson, eight, and Helen Clark, nine, to be angels. The girls started to giggle. Pastor Pete was happy to see the children’s joyful spirit for their parts in the play. Pastor Pete asked if anyone had questions about their parts.
James said, “Why is Susie playing Mary?”
The children looked at each other and then looked down at the floor. Susie was sitting there and about to cry. James’s question bothered her. She knew it was because of her disability. Why did her brother have to be so cruel? He knew she could only walk a short way because she had been born with a deformed foot. James’s question upset Susie.