We attended a children’s retelling of the Christmas story last night. The characters did not speak, but they acted their parts as a narrator guided us, from scene to scene, through the timeless tale.

The story began with tiny Mary listening to the angel tell her that she would have a child. We followed our narrator to Joseph’s sleeping place, where the angel told him that he should not be afraid to marry Mary, because Mary’s child was God’s Son. He slept through the dream, but he knew what to do when he woke up.

We followed behind Joseph and Mary, Mary on her scooter with a donkey’s head, as they travelled toward Bethlehem where the child was to be born. We stopped by the field of shepherds and heard the angel’s announcement to them, and then we walked with them to the manger. There we saw Mary and Joseph again.

We followed a child dressed as a star, who had to be reminded to twinkle, as he appeared to the wise men. We were reminded to ‘follow the star’ as the wise men visited King Herod. The small boy star then led the wisemen (and us) from Herod’s palace to the Christ Child.

The story was beautiful, told with the simplicity and innocence of children, and I know that God must have enjoyed the account of His Son’s birth.

Throughout the retelling, we followed. We listened. We watched.

Maybe that is our best direction for this Christmas season. Follow, listen, watch.

Follow the words that Jesus has left for us. Follow His teaching. Follow His example, and along the way, listen for the angels and watch to see what God is doing every day.

He is still leading. He is still working. He is still here with us, Immanuel.

Only the narrator had a script in the play; the children played out their parts silently. Little Mary could not let us pass, though, without her own simple greeting. As we walked from the scene of the annunciation, she raised her small hand and solemnly said,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

I join her in this simple wish.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.