Christmas Eve

The white “Christ candle” is traditionally lit on Christmas Eve, symbolizing that the True Light has come into the world to usher in the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah 31:31–34. The Lord himself referred to this covenant at the Last Supper when he said that the sacrament represented his “blood of the new testament, which is shed for many” (Mark 14:24). He thus made possible the blessings and promises of the “new and everlasting covenant” mentioned throughout latter-day revelation, whereby we are promised all that God has if we have faith in Christ and make sacred covenants of our own in his name.

The lyrics of the Catalonian carol “What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger” beautifully review the nativity of our Lord but also point us forward to his life, death, and resurrection.

Likewise, the words of the much-loved sacrament hymn, “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth,” both

recall the birth of the Son of God in a stable and point our minds forward to his glorious Second Coming, an important message of the Advent season.

The last candle may be lit in connection with the reading of the traditional Christmas story of Luke 2 or while singing Christmas carols, particularly “SILENT NIGHT.”

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and

with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day

that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake,

although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people . . . for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31–34)

“ . . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city

of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be

taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn

son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room

for them in the inn.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their

flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone

round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I

bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the

city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find

the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and

saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” (Luke 2:1–1)

“What shall we give to the Babe in the manger, 

What shall we offer the child in the stall? 

Incense and spices and gold we’ve got plenty, 

Are these the gifts for the King of us all?

“What shall we give to the boy in the temple,

What shall we offer the Man by the sea? 

Palms at his feet and hosannas uprising, 

Are gifts for Him who will carry the Tree.

“What shall we give to the Lamb who was offered, 

Rising the third day and shedding His love? 

Tears for his mercy we’ll weep at the manger, 

Bathing the infant come down from above.”

“What Shall We Give to the Babe in the Manger?” Traditional Catalonian Carol, arr. Mack Wilberg (from A

Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas)

Jesus, once of humble birth,

Now in glory comes to earth.

Once he suffered grief and pain;

Now he comes on earth to reign.

Now he comes on earth to reign.

Once a meek and lowly Lamb,

Now the Lord, the great I Am.

Once upon the cross he bowed;

Now his chariot is the cloud.

Now his chariot is the cloud.

Once he groaned in blood and tears;

Now in glory he appears.

Once rejected by his own,

Now their King he shall be known.

Now their King he shall be known.

Once forsaken, left alone,

Now exalted to a throne.

Once all things he meekly bore,

But he now will bear no more.

But he now will bear no more.

“This is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea is preface.  The three-year ministry of the Master is prologue. The magnificent substance of the story is His sacrifice, the totally selfless act of dying in pain on the cross of Calvary to atone for the sins of all of us. “The epilogue is the miracle of the Resurrection, bringing the assurance that ‘as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive’ (1 Cor. 15:22).

“There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.” - President Gordon B. Hinckley

“The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas,” Ensign, Dec. 2000, 2

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Peace

The fourth candle represents “the peace of God, which passeth allunderstanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Isaiah 9:6 identified the Christ as the Prince of Peace, and elsewhere Isaiah’s messianic prophecies look forward to the peace that Christ will establish during his millennial reign. Nevertheless, we know that even now we can, through Jesus Christ, have “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

Often the fourth candle is associated with the covenant that the Lord made with David, namely that in his line there would always be a king in Israel, a promise which received its glorious and final fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick

understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither

reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove

with equity for the meek of the earth . . .

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf

and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the

bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on

the cockatrice’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall

be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall

be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his

rest shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:1–10)

 “And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of

him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed

his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people; For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished. But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead.” (Mosiah 15:18–20)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not

your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

CAROL: “IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR”

Emphasis on the second half of verse three, “ . . . When the new heavn’n and earth shall own the Prince of Peace their King.”

The Visit to Elisabeth and the Magnificat:

“And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:  And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were  told her from the Lord.’

“And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty  from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.’

“And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.” (Luke 1:39–56)

Once in a Lifetime...

The Angel’s Words to Joseph:

“When as . . . Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son . . .” (Matthew 1:18–25)

Carol: “With Wondering Awe”

With wond’ring awe the wisemen saw

The star in heaven springing,

And with delight, in peaceful night,

They heard the angels singing:

Hosanna, hosanna,

Hosanna to his name!

By light of star they traveled far

To seek the lowly manger,

A humble bed wherein was laid

The wondrous little Stranger.

Hosanna, hosanna,

Hosanna to his name!

And still is found, the world around,

The old and hallowed story,

And still is sung in ev’ry tongue

The angels’ song of glory:

Hosanna, hosanna,

Hosanna to his name!

The heav’nly star its rays afar

On ev’ry land is throwing,

And shall not cease till holy peace

In all the earth is growing.

Hosanna, hosanna,

Hosanna to his name!

Once in a Lifetime Christmas

by Will Wright

What is it about the Christmas season that turns some events into giggly delightful memories that we

cherish all our lives? I remember hearing a special Christmas-time story about just such an event.  

Perhaps in the story is the answer to my question.

The setting was a small farming community during the early 1930's. The country was experiencing the Great Depression. There were few dollars changing hands, and roost people were grateful if they still had a home and regular meals. It was a better time to be a child than an adult. But the children also felt the economic sting — for most families even inexpensive things were no longer affordable.

When the children entered school that fall, most tried to squeeze into the clothes they wore when  school let out three months earlier. The lucky ones had hand-me-downs from older brothers or sisters or neighboring families. During the Depression, some families had enough food to be able to spare some for the children’s school lunches, but some did not have enough. Often the children would pool their lunches — they put all the lunches together and divided everything equally. That was the best way. It’s hard to enjoy your lunch when your friends don’t have one. In many ways it was a special time. Young people grew up a little sooner, and people learned to appreciate small things.

As the Christmas season approached, the memories of other Christmases prompted everyone to quicken their step, be happier, look forward to delightful times — to catch the Christmas Spirit. But the harsh economic realities of the time whispered into each ear: “Not this year . . . perhaps another year things will be better.” That is a hard way to face the Christmas season for children. It is even harder for parents.

Now of all years for it to happen It would have to happen this year! A new sled entered the market place — the Flexible Flyer! Wow! It was beautiful! It was red — bright red. A gleaming finish covered the graceful wood deck. Up front were the handlebars to steer this magnificent machine wherever its lucky owner would choose to go. This was the ultimate in sleds — the ultimate Christmas gift for a child in a snow covered farming community with lots of hills and slopes.

The Flexible Flyer was prominently displayed in the local hardware store window. What a sight! What a delight! What an impossible dream! Neatly positioned by the sled was a reminder of the Depression. It was the price tag. $4.98! A small fortune in those days. Even though it was an impossible dream, that did not keep the children from thinking about the Flexible Flyer. By dreaming we can keep going; we can defy even a Great Depression and guide our very own Flexible Flyer down delightful snow covered slopes and enjoy the crisp fresh air rushing by us as shiny sharp runners send a spray of snow arching from our path as we negotiate twisting turns and bumps and dips.

The school Christmas party was held as usual, and school was dismissed for the holidays. The  children were happy to be out of school, but they did not look forward to Christmas Day with the same anticipation enjoyed in previous years. Money was very scarce. It was a year to be grateful for a warm bed and a tummy that was not hungry. Gifts and toys and Flexible Flyers would have to wait for better times. The children understood. They could see the struggle their parents were having. They did not want to see the hurt look in their parents faces that asking for toys and Flexible Flyers would bring. There will be other Christmases — someone will still be making Flexible Flyers.

Now one of the young girls in that humble snow covered farming community, let’s call her Edith, had all of these thoughts running through her mind that Christmas. So when she went to bed on  Christmas Eve Edith was grateful for what she had, but she found it hard to anticipate Christmas morning any more than any other morning. She slept in later than most Christmas mornings. Edith thought, “That will be my gift to myself — to make up for the other gifts we can’t afford this year — I’ll sleep in this morning.”

But Edith’s mother called her and told her it was time to get dressed and meet the rest of the family at the Christmas tree, and as Edith walked into the room she saw it! Chills ran up her spine! Her hand rushed to her mouth as she let out a high pitched squeal that only a young girl can duplicate. Edith crossed the living room in two leaps landing on her knees in front of the impossible dream at the base of the tree — a Flexible Flyer that had a large red bow on it and a little card that said “Edith” on it.

Edith stroked the smooth wood finish, she turned the handlebars from one side to the other, she hugged the sled as tears rolled down her face and then stared at her parents in disbelief. “But we don’t have any money,” cried Edith. Edith’s mother and father felt tears swelling up in their eyes now. The dear price they had paid seemed worth it a thousand times over right now. It was a moment and a feeling that none of them would ever forget. Never!

There were other presents. Edith’s mother had made Edith a beautiful dress. Her brother got the pair of cowboy boots he had wanted for a long time. It was a good Christmas in bad times. But through it all Edith was like a frog glued to a dozen springs — she could not be still. Her excitement was evident in every movement, look, and squeal. “A Flexible Flyer!” — she must have shrieked a hundred times before Christmas dinner was served.

After the noon-time Christmas dinner Edith’s mother told her to dress as warm as she could, bring her Flexible Flyer, and meet the rest of the family at. the sleigh by the barn. “There is another surprise in town,” she said.

As they entered town Edith saw the other surprise. An inclined portion of Main Street had been roped off to form a path several blocks long for sleds. Excited people were everywhere. It looked like the entire town was there. Edith saw Flexible Flyers scooting down every slope in sight. Several sleighs pulled by the horses were being used to pull the boys and girls on their sleds to the top of the barricaded street. Taking turns, down the hill they came in wild delight screeching and screaming and yelling all the way. Near the end of the incline a crowd of parents cheered the group on. Hour after hour the group relished the magic of this special Christmas — the year the unaffordable Flexible Flyer found its way under dozens of Christmas trees. Each family that had bought a sled had to sacrifice to do so. But watching the ecstatic children flying down the hill was reward enough for their sacrifice. As an added bonus, there was deep satisfaction in being able to thumb your nose at hard times for one exceptional day.

As the exciting afternoon passed into evening the wintry scene was lighted by the reflection of a full moon on the snow. Several small fires were started to warm the group. It grew quieter as the sledders grew tired from dozens of trips down the slope and the chill of the evening took hold. All were reluctant to end this magical day when an impossible dream came true for children and parents alike. Finally the group gave in to weariness, cold, and hunger. Off they went to their separate homes with their Flexible Flyers and their memories of a once in a lifetime Christmas.

Several days later Edith walked into the barn to watch her dad milk the cows.. She noticed that their best milk cow was not in her stall. Dad explained that he had sold her just before Christmas. He had some flimsy excuse about her getting old. It was the way he groped for words and an explanation that gave the secret away. Edith felt a rush of emotion, and tears came into her eyes as the truth hit her — her parents had sold their best milk cow so they could give her a Flexible Flyer for Christmas. She ran from the barn and shed her tears where no one could see her. She better understood now how much her parents loved her and how much she loved them. It was a tender, growing, and character-building moment.

As Edith shared her new found truth with her best friend at school the next day, she learned that her

friend’s father had sold apples door to door in neighboring towns to get her Flexible Flyer money. In time, story after story surfaced to reveal how the entire community had combined in a joint effort of extra work, bargaining, selling, and sharing to buy Flexible Flyers. Sure, the children had all wanted the beautiful red sled displayed in the hardware store window, but none had dared to ask their parents for it because they knew the family could not afford such a luxury in those hard times. But in a secret plan the parents had combined in a dedicated effort of sacrifice and cooperation to provide a very special Christmas for their children.

A price of sacrifice and extra effort and increased hardship had been paid. It bought dozens of  Flexible Flyers and hundreds of memories with a value beyond price. It also bought treasures not anticipated by the buyers.

As the children returned to school after the holidays they were different. Sure, they still had to share

lunches and squeeze into clothes that did not fit quite right, and they had to do without things that they took for granted a few years before. What was different was the spirit and attitude the children displayed.

The attitude of down-and-out was replaced with an attitude of can-do. They showed more  appreciation to parents, friends, and teachers. They sensed the love and sacrifice of their parents and the community, and they felt a need to be better and to do better.

The parents felt the change, too. Not just in their children, the whole community changed. Everyone

moved with more energy and determination. There were more smiles and greetings as people met on the street. The Great Depression of helplessness seemed to be replaced by a spirit of optimism. As it turned out, the price paid for this very special Christmas was small compared to the benefits received. While buying Flexible Flyers, they also bought a renewed spirit of optimism and determination and faith in individuals, families, and their community. This truly was a once in a lifetime Christmas.

Sacrifice...

The Annunciation to Mary:

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’

“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.’

"Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’ And the angel answered and said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.’

“And Mary said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:26–38)

Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming”

Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming

From tender stem hath sprung!

Of Jesse’s lineage coming

As men of old have sung

It came, a flow’ret bright,

Amid the cold of winter

When half spent was the light.

Isaiah ‘twas foretold it

The rose I have in mind,

With Mary we behold it,

The Virgin Mother kind.

To show God’s love aright,

She bore to men a Saviour,

When half spent was the night.

O flow’r, whose fragrance tender

With sweetness fills the air,

Dispel in glorious splendour

The darkness ev’ry where.

True man, yet very God,

From sin and death now save us,

And share our ev’re load.

Someone Missing at the Manger

by Elizabeth Starr Hill

It was two days before Christmas, and Marcie was troubled. She sat on the floor in the glowing fan of warmth from the fire, a dozen books stacked by her, and flipped through one until she came to a manger scene. In the picture, shepherds had come to visit the Baby Jesus. The Kings were off in the distance, but plainly on the way. Even a cow and a donkey stood nearby in the stable.

It was just as she had thought. Marcie shut the book with a snap, and picked up another. The manger scene in this one was a bit different. The Kings were kneeling in front of the crib. A boy goatherd stood behind them. A couple of cherubs hovered over the shepherds. But, except for some animals, there was no one else.

Marcie looked through every Christmas book she owned. She found tall and short shepherds, fat and thin Kings, black sheep and white lambs. She found boys with crutches and crooks, and even one dressed like a choirboy.

But, in each story, someone was missing from the manger. There was no little girl. Not one. 

Marcie went into the kitchen where her mother was feeding Kevin, her baby brother. “Mom, when the Baby Jesus was born, how come no little girl went to the stable to see him?”

Her mother spooned some mashed potato carefully into Kevin’s mouth, and smiled up at Marcie. “Are you

sure no one did?”

“Have you ever seen a picture of a little girl at the manger?” Marcie demanded.

“Why, I guess not,” her mother answered. “Unless you count angels. Some of them look as though they might be little girls.”

Marcie shook her head emphatically. “You can’t count angels. They’re too-too angelic. I mean plain ordinary girls like me.”

“I never thought of it before,” her mother admitted, “but you are right. It is odd.”

Marcie’s older brother, Tod, came bursting in, bringing a rush of cold air with him. “I’m starving,” he announced, seizing an apple from a bowl on the kitchen table and crunching into it.

“I’ll start lunch. Marcie, will you finish feeding Kevin? And this afternoon,” her mother said, “you and I must finish up the pageant costumes.”

Marcie beamed, thrilled but the reminder of how soon the pageant was. She had been looking forward to it for days and days—in fact, for a year, because she had been sick with a bad cold last Christmas, so she and her mother had stayed home from church.

The pageant was going to be tomorrow, Christmas Eve. This year, Marcie’s mother had been chosen to play the Mother of Jesus. Her father was one of the Kings, and Tod was a shepherd boy. Marcie’s name would  be on the program, too, for helping with the costumes. She could hardly wait to see how everybody looked.

Probably the most beautiful costume of all was the herald angel’s. It was white and so heavenly. Marcie had helped make it. She wondered if she would ever get to be the herald angel. This year, the part had gone to Dorothy Cooper. Dorothy was a senior. She had an irritating manner and crooked teeth, but she could play the trumpet, so she was ideal for the part. Her trumpet could lead the carol singing.

Marcie sighed. About the only thing I’d be ideal for, she thought, is a plain, ordinary little girl. But, of course, there was no role like that.

As though reading her mind, her mother said, Tod, Marcie and I were wondering why no little girls are ever shown at the manger in Christmas scenes. Why do you suppose that is?”

“Because it’s a man’s world, that’s why” Tod said cheerfully. He tramped away, whistling. 

Furious, Marcie wanted to yell after him, “It is not! It’s a girl’s world.” But underneath she had her doubts. Sometimes it seemed to her that boys had the best of everything—and not just at Christmas, either. Tod could run faster than she could, skate better, climb trees higher. He was allowed to stay out after dark and to play rough games. When he tore his clothes or got them dirty people said approvingly that he was a “real boy,” but when she acted wild, she was scolded for being “unladylike.”

Kevin couldn’t do much, of course, but he certainly got away with a lot. No one minded that he had terrible table manners. And everybody waited on him. And people thought he was so cute—adorable, they said—for no better reason than that he had red hair, only two teeth, and dimples.

In her heart, Marcie feared that she herself was not cute at all. She could see herself right now reflected in the pane of the kitchen window: Just a usual kind of little girl, with long brown pigtails and a freckled nose. She was in-between—nobody special.

She pushed the last of the potato into Kevin’s reluctant mouth, washed his plate and spoon, and went back to sit by the fire. She curled up on the rug one arm under her head, and gazed into the warm orange and yellow flames.

She imagined it was nearly two thousand years ago, and that she lived in a little town called Bethlehem, near Judea. She was the daughter of a shepherd, and one night she went out with her father to help tend the sheep.

As they watched in the dark fields, a mysterious light appeared in the sky, and grew brighter, and brighter still. Then they saw it was an angel; a real, actual angel, coming to speak to them. They were terrified. They thought it might be the end of the world. But the angel said, “‘Don’t be afraid. I’ve come to tell you a Savior has been born. He is Christ, the Lord. You’ll find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Then the angel pointed the way to where the Christ Child was, and a brilliant star shone in the East to guide anyone who wanted to visit him. Marcie cried out to her shepherd father, “Oh, please, I want to see the Baby! Look, everybody’s going!”

It was true; following the glorious light the other shepherds took up their crooks and walked toward the Star, their faces full of wonder. “Well, I don’t know,” her father said doubtfully. “It is His birthday and I’d like to take a present to the Child. I suppose I could take a baby lamb for Him to play with. But you, Marcie, what could you take?”

“I could make cookies,” Marcie suggested. They’re always good to have when you’ve got company coming.”

So she and her father hurried home. Marcie baked cookies and wrapped them in gold paper. Then they set out to join the other shepherds, and follow the Star. As they walked across the silvery, light-struck fields, a sense of miracle was upon them all. The sound of the wind was like a rush of angels, the very trees seemed to whisper with the voices and the promises of angels.

Soon the Star led them to a stable. Marcie was about to step inside when— “Marcie! Set the table!” her mother called from the kitchen. She jumped at the sound of her name and the daydream faded away.

Late that afternoon, the whole family went to the pageant’s last rehearsal, Marcie carried Kevin, and

promised to mind him and to take him home if he fussed. She waited with the baby in the church while the

rest of the family went off to change into their costumes.

She looked around the church, her brown eyes wide. It was covered with red and green poinsettias. Pine branches with red ribbons decorated the choir stalls, and everything smelled like pine, like candles—like Christmas. For some reason she could not understand, Marcie’s throat closed up, and she felt like crying. “Nnh-nnh ‘ Kevin complained, squirming in her lap. She just hummed “Jingle Bells” to soothe him and he quieted down a little.

Across the aisle, not far from where Marcie was sitting, a Nativity scene had been set up. Marcie looked at the small wooden figures with a familiar annoyance. No little girl anywhere. There was plenty of room for one more. And cookies might have come in very handy.

Kevin began to whimper again, Marcie wished everybody would hurry up and get their costumes on. The baby was getting fussier by the moment. “Hey cheer up,” she urged him. But he whimpered all the more and finally he began to cry.

She realized she would have to take him home. Once he got in a bad mood, he didn’t come out of it too easily. She told herself: Oh, well, there’s always tomorrow. Anyway, it might be better to see the pageant all at once, when it was perfect. The baby was staying with a neighbor tomorrow.

She skipped home, jogging Kevin and singing lustily, “Dashing through the snow ... in a one-horse open sleigh . . .” Overhead, the first stars of evening blazed down.

Next morning, Marcie woke up early, bursting with anticipation. It was Christmas Eve. She ran to the window. The day was brilliantly clear, and all the town seemed decorated for Christmas: the giant fir tree out front glittered with its burden of snow; glowing icicles hung from every roof and sill of every house; whitened streets reflected the sun with a magical brightness.

The hours of the day seemed to fly by. There were last-minute presents to wrap, popcorn balls to make, celery and onions to be chopped for stuffing the turkey.

In the afternoon, Marcie and her mother wrapped one of Marcie’s favorite dolls in swaddling clothes. The doll was to be the Baby Jesus in the pageant. Marcie felt very proud that her beloved doll was to be used. She washed the doll’s face carefully after it was dressed, to be sure it looked its best.

Everyone’s eyes were bright with excitement, but Marcie’s most of all. She raced upstairs and changed into her red velvet dress, and tied red ribbons on her pigtails. Then she went to Kevin’s crib to dress him in his snow suit, out suddenly noticed he looked strange. He had some bumpy spots on his face, and he was  unusually hot to the touch.

Alarmed, Marcie called her parents. Her mother took one look at the baby and groaned “Chicken pox!” 

“I’m afraid so,” Marcie’s father agreed after a moment. Marcie remembered when she and Tod had had chicken pox. Yes, they had looked just the way Kevin did now.

Her mother phoned Mrs. Carter, the neighbor who had planned to take care of Kevin. She explained about the chicken pox, and asked if Mrs. Carter’s three small children had had it. The answer was no; Mrs. Carter was awfully sorry, but of course she couldn’t, under the circumstances, take care of Kevin.

Her mother called two more neighbors to baby-sit, but without success. “We’ve got to get somebody,” Tod said. “We’re late already. And what are they going to do it we don’t show up? What good is a Christmas pageant without the Baby Jesus? And His mother? And one King and one shepherd?

Marcie swallowed hard. It was true that the whole pageant would be ruined without her mother and father and brother. But, she thought, there was one person who would not be missed—who, in fact, was always missing—a plain ordinary little girl with no place at the manger.

Still it was hard to say the words. Marcie’s voice sounded husky as she volunteered. “I’ll stay with Kevin.” 

Her mother protested, “No, I know how much you’ve been looking forward to the pageant. There must be something else we can do.”

But they all knew that time had run out.

Marcie held back tears until after her family had hurried off to the pageant. But then she flung herself across her bed and sobbed. She had imagined just how it would be: her mother, so beautiful in a blue robe; her father, every inch a King in scarlet and gold; and Tod, the handsomest of the shepherds. She pictured the angels, her doll as Baby Jesus . . .

And she wouldn’t see any of it. She was going to miss it all . . .

There was to be a short procession first, around the outside of the church, with everyone singing and Dorothy playing. Marcie heard the music start. She ran to the window. She could not see the church, but she could hear the singing better with the window open: “Silent Night, holy night...”

Even from this distance, Dorothy’s trumpet sounded strong and fine. So did the voices: “All is calm, all is bright . . .”

Through the ache of her disappointment, the words touched Marcie’s heart. It was a calm and bright night. She loved carols and she hummed along, as verse after verse followed. Then the trumpet took on a summoning note. The tune changed to Marcie’s favorite: “Oh, come all ye faithful . . .” 

“I wanted to,” Marcie whispered to herself. “I couldn’t go, that’s all.”

Something seemed to answer: a memory, right at the edge of her mind. At first she couldn’t quite catch hold of it. Then she remembered: it was what the leader of their church had said to their mother last year when they had had to stay home.

All at once she heard his words, as clearly as though he were speaking now, to her. “When you want to see the Christ Child and duty keeps you home, wait in peace and faith for He will surely come to you.”

“Sing choirs of angels... sing in exultation...,” the voices chorused. Church bells began to peal. The procession was nearly over. Marcie shut the window. She could still hear the singing, and the triumphant notes of the trumpet. And for today, and for always, the words.

For suddenly she knew, in a crystal moment of understanding, why there were never any little girls at the manger. Girls were needed at home, sacrificing so that other could be there. They could not be spared. But certainly the Christ Child came to each of them.

Kevin cried faintly. Marcie hurried to his crib. And in the frosty Christmas air, the bells rang joy to all the little girls in the world.