Saving Christmas

Chapter 8

As I was having my breakfast in the morning, I was listening to an interview by a journalist on the radio. The journalist was asking the question : What does Christmas mean to you? Many people gave answers such as spending time with family and friends, Christmas shopping, putting up Christmas decorations, Santa Claus, etc. I was so shocked at the answers people gave the journalist. Don't get me wrong, all these are part of Christmas but they are not the main reason we celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Christmas to remember the time God sent Jesus Christ his son as a baby. Christmas signifies this birth and shows how much God loves us. This made me realize how important the Christmas play was. I actually thought everyone knew why Christmas is celebrated. We had to spread the news and invite everyone from nearby towns to the Christmas program. I made up my mind to tell Susan about this.

Everything went back to normal soon after the snowstorm. Susan kept reassuring us that the Christmas play would still come on. A week before the Christmas program, Amy, the lead role, fell sick. It was so serious that she was even admitted to the hospital. Everyone was worried. Who would play the lead role now? This was the question on everyone's minds. At one of our meetings, I suggested that Stephanie should play the lead role.

"I know you guys are worried about Amy and everything, but I think that Stephanie should play the lead role", I said.

After I said this, everyone stared at me as if I had gone mad. Everyone looked at Stephanie then at me then at Stephanie again.

"No way. Stephanie can't play the lead role. You know how shy she is and she doesn't even know the lines", Daphne said, breaking the awkward silence.

"She knows the lines. Stephanie, don't you remember that game we played?" I asked Stephanie.

Stephanie nodded.

"See? She knows the lines", I told Daphne.

"But she's so shy. She can't do it, Kim and you know it", Daphne shot back.

"Well, we have no option, Daphne. The show must go on. There isn't enough time to select another person to play the lead role. We can't postpone the play anymore", Susan said.

Daphne looked utterly disgusted. I smiled at her triumphantly.

"What's wrong with you guys? Can't you see that Stephanie would make this play a complete disaster? I don't want to have anything to do with this anymore", Daphne said angrily and stormed out of the room.

Everyone was shocked, well everyone except me. No one expected Daphne to behave like that.

"Umm.. I think I'll go talk to her. Kim, can you please rehearse with the children? I'll be right back", Susan said, leaving the room and following suit.

I rehearsed with the children as Susan told me. I felt a tug on my sweater. I turned and saw Stephanie. I sighed. I knew we had to have this conversation. I took a seat beside her.

"I thought you said you wouldn't do anything to help me", Stephanie said.

I felt a bit guilty that I had lied to her.

"I just think you would be a great actress, Stephanie', I told her.

"I don't think so. I'm shy', Stephanie said.

"I believe in you, Stephanie and I know you can do it. Everyone is counting on you, Stephanie", I told her truthfully.

Stephanie smiled at me.

"I don't know why you believe in me, Kim but I'll try", Stephanie said.

She got off her seat and headed towards the miniature stage that had been put up. I stood at the back of the class, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Uhh... I..... I can't do this", Stephanie said and run off the stage.

"Stephanie!" I shouted and chased after her.

I finally caught up with her. She was crying.

"Stephanie! Look at me", I said, pulling her chin up so that she could look into my eyes.

"I can't do this Kim. Daphne was right. I've always been like this and will always be like this", Stephanie said.

"No Stephanie. Don't say those negative things about yourself. Do you know that when I was your age I was shy like you?" I asked Stephanie.

She shook her head.

"Well, I was. What do you think makes you shy? Why are you so scared?" I questioned Stephanie.

"I don't know.. just looking at everyone's faces.. I just don't want to mess up", Stephanie replied.

"You know what helped me overcome my shyness?"

Stephanie shook her head.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket and opened the Bible app.

"Here, read this', I said, handing Stephanie my phone.

"Philippians 4:13. Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do", Stephanie read.

I nodded, smiling.

"I don't get it", Stephanie told me, obviously confused.

"Jesus Christ will give you the strength to play the lead role if you ask Him for it", I explained.

"Really?" Stephanie asked me.

I nodded.

"Let's pray", I said and we both bowed down our heads, closed our eyes and prayed.

As Stephanie turned to leave, I called her back.

"Oh, and one more thing. When you're on stage, don't rely on your own strength but look up to Jesus Christ", I added.

Stephanie nodded and we both entered the room.