Wally in the Christmas Pageant

By Jerry Stewart Listen There has been much written about Christmas, starting, of course, with the written story of that first Christmas as recorded in the Bible. Since that time, many famous words about Christmas have been recorded. Helen Keller, the famous and courageous woman who was both blind and deaf from birth said this, "The only real blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart." How about this one. "When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings with toys at Christmas. Why are we not grateful now to God for filling our stockings with legs?" Here's one I like, "He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." Then there are the children. They always have something to say. Like the young boy when asked what part he wanted to play in the Christmas program, said "Round John." The teacher was puzzled...just who was round John? "You know," he said, "The guy in the song, round John, virgin, mother and child. How about the boys who wanted to play "Those wise guys." you, know, the three wise guys that brought presents to Jesus. Then there was Wally. Wally was nine that year and in the second grade...he shoulda been in the fourth grade... but he was seen as slow, and had difficulty keeping up, so he was left back. Although he was well liked by everyone, he was big and clumsy, and usually the last one to be picked for a game of ball. Most often they'd try to find a way to keep him out. But, he'd still hang around. Not sulking, just hoping. He was always a willing and helpful boy, and he always watched out for the smaller, younger boys, like their protector. When the yearly Christmas play came around that year he wanted to be a shepherd...they got to play flutes. But the director, Miss Lumbard, wanted him to play a different part...the innkeeper. That part didn't have many lines and his size could make for a more forceful character. But, some secretly wondered just how Wally would do. Then came the big night. The auditorium was filled with excited onlookers. There was great expectation. But no one that night was more caught up in the magic than Wally. He watched the performance with such fascination that from time to time Miss Lumbard had to watch that he didn't just wander on to the stage. Then, finally, came his part. As Mary and Joseph stood at the door of the inn, Wally opened it up and said, "What do you want"? "Please sir," Joseph said, "Do you have a room? My wife and I have traveled a long distance and she is very tired." "Go away," Wally said forcefully, "The inn is full." "Please sir, Joseph continued, "My wife is great with child. Surely you have some small corner where she can rest." The crowd waited for the innkeeper's harsh response, but this time, Wally paused. "No begone", the prompter whispered from the wings. "No begone," Wally repeated automatically. Joseph placed his arm around Mary as they sadly walked away. But Wally stood there in the doorway. his mouth was open, his brow creased with concern as his eyes visibly filled with tears. And, suddenly, this Christmas pageant was changed from all others. "Wait, don't go." Wally called out. "Bring Mary back" and Wally’s face grew into a bright smile. "You can have my room." Some people that night thought the pageant had been ruined. Yet there were others...many, many others...who thought it was the most wonderful Christmas pageant they had ever seen. This is one of the many stories found in our special audio program "The Christmas Present." If you would like your own copy of the full-length program on CD or cassette, Order Here.