To All People - Part 3

 Happy Christmas Eve!

    Here's the final part of the Christmas play story. I hope you enjoy it. The final line was from the one who played Tiny. He just said it on our last practice and we loved it so much we told him to say it for the performance. He did and the laughter from the audience was great!

To All People - Part 3

            Before the sun was fully up on Christmas Morning, Tiny came into town with a beautiful Christmas tree. Mrs. Crawford and Kate brought strands of popped corn, and Mr. Kockenbrock arrived with a star he had fashioned out of wood. Deputy Moreland and his wife appeared bringing some cookies to hang on the tree. And then, one by one, the other town-folk arrived.

            Sheriff Kassen opened his Bible and began to read. “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.” He handed the Bible to Mrs. Stokes.

            “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” As she read, Mrs. Nelson handed Baby to Kate, and with Charlie standing with a stick in his hand as Joseph, they presented a lovely picture of that first Christmas. “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.” She handed the Bible to Mrs. Crawford.

            “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.” With a smile at Tiny, she handed the Bible to him.

            “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.” Wiping away a tear, the rough looking mountain man passed the Book to Mrs. Moreland.

            “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.”

            Deputy Moreland took the Bible and finished the story. “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” Gently he closed the Book.

            For a moment no one moved. Then Tiny said slowly, “I thank ya folks fer lettin’ me be a part a this here Christmas service. I ain’t celebrated Christmas with other folks for nigh on to twenty years, an’ its done my heart right good ta do it this year.”

            “We’re glad you came and joined us,” Mrs. Crawford said.

            Mrs. Nelson took back her baby, and Kate rejoined her mother.

            Sheriff Kassen held out his hand to the man who had been a stranger. “Many of us had doubts about you, but our Lord offered His salvation to everyone, and we are not above our Lord. You are welcome to join us any Christmas.”

            Mr. Kockenbrock nodded. “Merry Christmas, everyone! Mrs. Fisher, will you have those flapjacks soon?”

            With a smile, Mrs. Fisher nodded. “How about right now and everyone is invited.”

            There were many smiles and Christmas greetings as the town folk began to make their way toward the boarding house taking time to stop and greet the mountain man who was no longer someone to be afraid of.

            As Tiny shook hands with Mr. Kockenbrock, he tipped his head and asked, “What’s a flapjack?”

 

And there you are.

Did you enjoy it?

Maybe I'll share a few other short stories soon.

Once I wrote and shared at KDWC.