The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

I've checked Barbara Robinson's "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" out of the library to read to Olivia, and hoping that I'll have time on our trip to Sasebo this next week to sit and read it to her, because during the holidays, best laid plans don't always have time to materialize.  But the Christmas pageant at the Marine Memorial Chapel filled me with so much Christmas joy and gratitude, I took the pressure off the gift giving the next day and declared, truthfully, it was the best Christmas present I had ever received!

The three big girls showed up to pageant practice as instructed by their CCD teachers the week before Christmas.  Audrey went begrudgingly, but got into the spirit after they excused her from the choir (not that she couldn't carry a ♪♫♪ tune ♪♫♪, but that she didn't want to) and let her dress up as a llama.  (Mick:  "A llama?  Llamas live in South America. I highly doubt there was a llama in Bethlehem.")  We showed up 5 minutes late and the coveted part of Mary had already been awarded to our friend and Olivia's twin, Samantha (Olivia:  "Mommy?  Can we go early to the first pageant practice next year?  Like, if it it's at 5:00, can we be there at 4:59?"), but Olivia was quite pleased with her angel costume.  Claire first tried on a sheep costume, but was lured over to the angel side by the beautiful wings and halo.

They were very concerned the next week when I didn't know what time pageant practice was on Monday and kept on me until I called and found out that it had been decided that two practices would be enough and we would meet again on Thursday the 23rd.  I was proud of their concern!

Christmas Eve we showed up, shockingly, on time, and I brought Gigi's lamb costume that she didn't wear on Halloween, just in case she would let us dress her up.  

We were even early enough to take a few pictures, just in case Gigi wouldn't go for the pageant.

I darted away from the holding room and left Audrey in charge of Gigi and held my breath for about five minutes in the pew, listening fervently for any crying.  None was heard and here they come!

Look quickly and you'll think Olivia got to be Mary after all.  It's crazy how much these two girls look alike!  :)

As soon as I snapped this picture, Gigi saw me and decided that was enough pageant for her.

Very angelic!

Well, the grin is a bit devilish!

The pageant kids (sans Gigi) stood up at the altar for the opening prayers and songs, all the way to the first reading, where they were excused to go sit in the first row.  

Audrey's hands are in character as an animal and Olivia and Claire had their hands clasped in a prayer the whole time!

I could NOT get over Claire!  I was sosososo proud of all of them, but Claire....she's three!!!!  I looked at the clock when they were dismissed to go to the first row and it was 5:18!  Mass started around 5:00!  That's a long time to stand and be good, let alone ANGELIC!

Throughout the mass I watched from about five rows back and the girls sat nicely, didn't fight, didn't ask to go the bathroom 18 times, didn't talk....in other words, totally unlike how they usually are when we go to mass.  I'm going to ask Father if we can have a pageant every Sunday!  

And Gigi enjoyed our undivided attention! 

After mass was over, Father didn't leave the altar but immediately posed for pictures with the children. 

Father had directed the homily at the front row, asking the pageant kids questions and when they got a right answer, they got a present.  Audrey answered one of the questions and Claire was quite pleased with her USMC ornament! 

I want to further shout out all of the children.  The boys left their headdresses on the entire time and the sheep and llama left their hoods on (except Audrey took hers off for communion, which I thought was quite proper) and they were quite warm, but have I mentioned....quiet and still and attentive?  ☺☺☺

So when Claire refused to take her candy cane out of her mouth for the family picture....I could hardly be mad. 

I couldn't decide which picture I liked best, so here's both!

The Wagoners wish you a very "Hook 'em Horns/USMC" Merry Christmas to you!