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Waiting for a "Star"

by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

"Stay here," I told David. "Listen to Mrs. Babey. Do what she says. OK?" It was mere minutes before the Christmas Eve mass was about to begin. Three-and-a-half year old David was lined up with the other little children, dressed as a star, ready to make his debut in the annual nativity pageant. For three Thursdays in a row, we had come to practice. Every day we went over the songs - "Silent Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Joy to the World." He was as ready as he was ever going to be.

The night before, at dress rehearsal, he hadn't wanted to walk in with the other children. He had me walk with him. Tonight, I couldn't do that. I let go of his hand, gave him my most reassuring smile, and walked away, hoping he wouldn't follow. He didn't.

I took my seat at the side of the church with the other anxious moms just a couple pews behind the rows reserved for the pageant participants. As the strains of music began, the children processed in. David had a look of absolute horror on his face. As he looked in my direction, I held my breath and gave him the thumbs-up sign. Thankfully, he kept going and made his way through the church to his assigned seat.

After the readings, it was time for the tableaux to begin. David climbed up the altar steps with all the other little stars, ready to twinkle as the angels sang in the Bethlehem sky. "Please, God," I prayed, "let him be Ok. Don't let him cry or run off the altar. Please don't let my recently potty-trained child poop in his pants while he is up there!"

Before I knew it, it was all over. David came running back to my pew beaming. As he climbed in my arms, I gave him a big hug and told him I was so proud of him.

"Mom, can I be in the Christmas pageant again next year, too?" he asked excitedly.

"Absolutely!"

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is editor of The Spiritual Woman Newsletter and author of Letters to Mary from a Young Mother