(L, C)br...
Illustration
(L, C)
One Christmas season members of a New England church were preparing for their annual Christmas pageant. A little boy who had been crippled by polio and who walked with crutches, wanted to play a part in the pageant. All of the major roles had been given out -- Joseph, the wise men, the shepherds, etc. Naturally, the little fellow was very disappointed. Finally, it was decided that he would play the role of the innkeeper. The boy was heartbroken because he was the only person in the play who would have to reject Jesus. All during rehearsals this very sensitive young lad was deeply troubled by the role he had been given to play.
The night came for the pageant to be presented. The auditorium was packed with parents, grandparents, and church people. The play began with Joseph's knock on the door of the Inn. The little fellow's big moment had arrived! He couldn't restrain himself any longer. He threw open the door of the Inn and shouted at the top of his voice, "Come in! I've been expecting you!" The audience roared in thunderous applause, and they all agreed that this was the most moving Christmas pageant they had ever experienced. In his own simple way the boy had expressed the very spirit of the gospel of Christmas, the gospel which St. Paul says, "God had planned even before the world was made ..."
-- Schroeder
One Christmas season members of a New England church were preparing for their annual Christmas pageant. A little boy who had been crippled by polio and who walked with crutches, wanted to play a part in the pageant. All of the major roles had been given out -- Joseph, the wise men, the shepherds, etc. Naturally, the little fellow was very disappointed. Finally, it was decided that he would play the role of the innkeeper. The boy was heartbroken because he was the only person in the play who would have to reject Jesus. All during rehearsals this very sensitive young lad was deeply troubled by the role he had been given to play.
The night came for the pageant to be presented. The auditorium was packed with parents, grandparents, and church people. The play began with Joseph's knock on the door of the Inn. The little fellow's big moment had arrived! He couldn't restrain himself any longer. He threw open the door of the Inn and shouted at the top of his voice, "Come in! I've been expecting you!" The audience roared in thunderous applause, and they all agreed that this was the most moving Christmas pageant they had ever experienced. In his own simple way the boy had expressed the very spirit of the gospel of Christmas, the gospel which St. Paul says, "God had planned even before the world was made ..."
-- Schroeder
