I love my job as Children’s Ministry Coordinator here at St. Dunstan’s for many reasons, but mainly because I get such a kick out of working with children! I have had so many hilarious encounters with them, and this Christmas Eve was no exception.
As you know by now, we moved the Christmas Pageant back to Christmas Eve at the 4:00 Children’s service. I was thrilled that we had 26 kids signed up for the pageant – we could even have three camels for the Wise Men! As it turns out the camels were quite anxious to get up to the manger and bow to the baby Jesus. So eager, in fact, that they were beating the Wise Men to the manger during practice! We had to change their order in the line up just a bit, and all went well during the pageant. Our star was another story! During practice our “Star of Bethlehem” (usually a very small child who can easily fit into the shiny gold costume) did a great job of standing in front of the manger with arms spread to display the star shape. During the pageant, however, little Faith somehow got hustled up the step by the altar and was standing above the manger. Bless her heart, she knew she was supposed to be down front, but try as she might, she could not get past the cow and some other characters who were rooted to their spot! She tried to scoot around the stable pole, but to our dismay, almost knocked the whole stable frame over! My heart in my throat, there was nothing I could do to stop this potential disaster from my post at the back of the church! We gasped as the stable wobbled crazily once more as Faith tried mightily to get to her post, but fortunately the stable maintained its upright position. At this point, our star thankfully decided to stay where she was!
Afterwards, the children were invited to sit down by the altar for Mother Beth Anne’s children’s sermon. I was amazed at her patience with the children, especially when someone was hanging onto the Advent Wreath pole (with all its candles lit!) causing it to sway! To make her sermon relatable for the children, she had some adorable little rubber ducks that symbolized the many witnesses to the birth of Jesus. The congregation laughed and chuckled as some children noisily wanted to trade ducks with each other and with her before returning to their seats. Needless to say, the ducks on Christmas Eve were a big hit - and I needed oxygen to recover from the fun!
Flash ahead several weeks to the first Sunday of Epiphany. As director of the St. Nicholas choir, I was trying to teach my class the words and meaning behind our new Epiphany song titled “Three Kings”. I asked them what kind of gifts the three Wise Men brought for the baby Jesus. I was expecting to hear “Gold”, “Frankincense”, or “Myrrh” but those words did not initially appear. You could see the wheels turning in their heads, when finally someone said “Ducks!” Trying to keep a straight face, I could understand how the ducks somehow got inserted into their idea of gifts for the baby Jesus! My coteacher, Naomi, and I somehow kept our composure, but the idea of DUCKS as part of the manger scene will always live high in my memory!
Working with children always has its surprises, and I think that’s why I love being with them so much. God has a sense of humor, and he displays that in the hilarious words and antics of our children! May He continue to keep our children in the palm of His hand and bless you and your family during the coming New Year. You never know who or what might turn up in the manger next year!
