On the 5th Day of Christmas Past…
Question: How did a crowded audience catch a glimpse of the Savior?
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Sara’s Christmas Program
Sara slipped into the long, soft, blue robe that she was to wear in the Christmas program. Pulling the matching hood over her brown curls, she turned to Jennie. “Do I look like Mary now?” Sara’s stomach gave a little lurch when she heard the organ begin playing “Silent Night.” That was her cue to go on stage. Sister Perkins came over and smiled at both girls. Looking at Sara, she said, “The curtains will be opening soon. It’s time for you to take your place.”
Sara hurried to her spot on the stage and sat down on a bale of straw. Eric, who was playing Joseph, was already there beside the manger. As Sara bent to arrange the blankets around the doll representing Baby Jesus, she heard the music change and the gentle strains of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” swell.
The curtains slowly opened on the quiet scene. A single spotlight highlighted Mary and Joseph admiring the Baby Jesus. Neither Mary nor Joseph had to say anything. Brother Egger stood out of sight with a microphone and told about the events of Jesus’ birth as they were silently portrayed on stage. The organ played softly while he spoke: “And it came to pass in those days, …”
Sara was distracted by something moving just below the stage. She moved her eyes carefully, trying not to turn her head and spoil the scene. There, climbing the stairs to the stage was her three-year-old sister, Katie.
Sara’s heart sank as Katie came toward her. What shall I do? she wondered. Why isn’t Katie sitting with Mom and Dad? Sara sneaked a peek at her parents. Her mother wore a stricken, helpless look. Sara felt Katie brush against her knees as she bent to look into the manger. Katie’s going to ruin the Christmas program! Why did she have to do this?
Sara was startled out of her thoughts by Katie’s awed “Oh! He’s beautiful!”
As Katie continued to just stand and intently watch the doll in the manger, Sara swallowed and felt calm. There was something about the spell around Katie that Sara couldn’t bring herself to break. I think the best thing to do is just let her stay, Sara decided. She’s being quiet.
So Sara reached out and slipped her arm around her sister’s waist and nestled her next to her on the bale of straw. Katie relaxed against Sara, still gazing lovingly at the Baby Jesus.
Katie sat watching quietly as the shepherds came. The organist played “The First Noel,” and Brother Egger read from the Bible about the shepherds coming to see Jesus. Even after the shepherds had left and the Wise Men had entered, Katie leaned against Sara, enraptured.
Katie really loves Baby Jesus, Sara thought. I don’t blame her for wanting to get close and see better. She gave Katie a little squeeze. I’m really glad now that she came.
When the curtains closed, Sara gently whispered into Katie’s ear, “It’s time for the next scene, so you must go back to Mommy and Daddy.”
Katie looked at her sister. “OK.” She started to leave, then paused and turned. “Thanks, Sara. I liked looking at Baby Jesus with you.”
Sara smiled. “I’m glad.” She led Katie to the side stage door. “Now go back to Mommy.”
After the program the students looked through the crowd for their families. Just as Sara found her parents, she overheard an elderly man speaking to her mother. “I’m so glad I came. Because of your girl, I caught a glimpse of the Savior tonight that I’d never seen before. Thank you.”
Nobody at home said anything about Katie’s unexpected appearance in the program until Mother tucked Sara into bed. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Katie,” Mother said, “but I’m really sorry she interrupted your program. I really admired the way you handled it,” Mother continued. “It’s hard to know what to do at times like that. What you did was beautiful. Usually people giggle when something unplanned happens, but people got especially quiet after Katie said how beautiful the baby was.”
“At first I was really worried,” Sara admitted. “I didn’t know what to do. Then I realized that the real Mary would have wanted her sister, as well as shepherds and Wise Men, to see her baby. Anyway, there was something special about Katie tonight. It was as though she really understood about Baby Jesus somehow.”
“You’re right, Sara.” Mother’s voice was soft. “Several people came up to me afterward and said the same thing. Even though Katie’s part in the program wasn’t planned, I think it touched people’s hearts. I think a lot of people will never forget tonight’s program.”
Sara settled back on her pillow. “I’m glad.”
Mother bent to kiss Sara. “I think you’re really special too. You taught us older folks a lot in the kind way you treated your sister. I’m sure Jesus was pleased with how you represented His mother tonight.”
Taken from: Forschler, Marian Brincken, Liahona Dec 1985. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/1985/12/saras-christmas-program?lang=eng
They caught a glimpse of the Savior by the love Katie had for the Savior by wanting to see the baby Jesus and in the loving way Sara treated her sister Katie.
Through the eyes of a young girls, the audience could imagine that they were viewing the baby Jesus in a manger. It was very touching.
The audience caught a glimpse of the Savior through an independent 3 year old that reminded all of them to just sit with reverence and ponder what it would have been like had we been there. She reminded them of the importance of what happened that night long ago. This was a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.
Everyone focused on Katie and wondered what was going to happen. She lead their hearts to looking at the baby as if it were the Savior and showed them how she would act. Everyone focused on her as she focused on Jesus.
This story reminds me of the many times that Jesus sat with people. Each time, he was attentive and listened to what they had to say because of his love for them. The people in turn wanted to be near him as well. This little girl was the same way. She loved the Lord so much that she wanted to be near Him in anyway possible. I think the crowded room saw both the pure love OF Christ and the pure love FOR Christ when she went up on the stage.
As is often the case, a little child led the audience to a new understanding of the Savior – he is beautiful, and Katie’s innocent love for Him is what ours should also be.
And they shall be led by a child came to mind as I read this story. We can see the Savior by listening to the spirit as this young girl did.
A young girl, Katie, interrupted a nativity scene. Her older sister Sara was playing Mary. Sara acted like she thought the real Mary would, by welcoming everyone to watch over the baby Jesus. The crowd was awed in reverence by the previous scene.
This is a perfect example of what the Savior would have done. Sara was kind and loving towards her younger sister. The audience could see the love between the sisters and the love they had for the Savior.
Sara reacted so lovingly to her sister, Katie. The audience saw how much love and admiration these special sisters had for the Savior.
They saw him through the eyes of a child! Little children seem to see sacred things better than some adults.
Katie’s reaction to the baby Jesus touched people so that they could look at in a different way.
A little child taught the audience why Jesus loves the little children. Forbid them not to come unto me, for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.