A Christmas Program

Originally Published Dec. 2012

The little girl couldn’t contain herself.  She skipped along the hallway the led her from the church’s all-purpose room in the basement to the outside.  Barbara felt bad that she didn’t run into anyone she knew.  She was bursting inside and wanted to tell anyone and everyone.

She skipped all the way home from the church and ran into the kitchen.  “Mom!  Mom!  Guess what?  I’m going to sing a solo in the church’s Christmas Program!”

Barbara’s mom was very excited and happy for her daughter; although, she secretly wondered how her daughter was picked for a solo.  She was only seven years old, after all, and didn’t seem to show any exceptional singing talent.   At least as far as she could determine.  Well, the Christmas program’s director must have seen something in Barbara to select her for a solo.  

Barbara announced her big news to the entire family that evening at dinner.  Of course, her dad was proud and her little sister, Beth, didn’t seem to care one way or the other – she was only four.  One couldn’t expect much more than that!  But, Johnny, her older brother was simply embarrassed!  He knew Barbara was a “ham” and liked the spotlight.  He thought she would “milk” this song to its fullest and simply make a fool out of herself.  And, everybody – yes, everybody – knew that Barbara was his sister.  Johnny just knew he would be humiliated to no end!

Barbara showed up for practice at the church after school for the next three weeks.  And she discovered that she needed a lot of practice, too.  You see, she not only had to sing her little song, she had to learn hand gestures and a few dance steps to go along with her singing!  Well, she liked the challenge and practiced and practiced at home in her room every evening.   

 Of course, Barbara had to have a new Christmas dress for her big performance.  Mom and Barbara went shopping and found the perfect outfit – a shiny red dress with a full skirt and a big bow in the back.  Mom even convinced dad that Barbara needed black patent leather shoes (with a buckle) and white lacy stockings.  With a red barrette in her dark long hair, she looked like a princess.  Barbara felt like one, too.  After all, she was going to be a star!

Finally – it was time for the program to begin.  Barbara was so excited.  She looked so beautiful in her Christmas best!  Mom, dad, Beth, grandma and grandpa were all settled in their chairs – in the third row.  Dad had his camera out – ready to take important pictures of his pride and joy.  Johnny sat with his other ten-year old friends in the back of the church basement.  He didn’t want to admit it; but, he was sort of looking forward to seeing if she would really sing or not.

Mrs. Pepin, the program’s director, took the stage and thanked everyone for attending the concert and then she sat down at the piano and started playing.  Besides her solo, Barbara was also in the second-grade choir that first sang a medley of Christmas carols.  Nice job.  Everyone took a bow.  

Then the third-grade choir sang a few songs.  And, the fourth-grade choir.  By this time, the program had last almost an hour and Barbara was getting nervous.  When will it be her turn?

Finally!  Mrs. Pepin called her name and Barbara stepped to the middle of the stage.  She could see her family.  The music started and Barbara sang the first verse:

All I want for Chrithmath

Is my two front teeth

My two front teeth

Just my two front teeth

Gee, if I could only have

My two front teeth

Then I could with you Merry Chrithmath

 

But, she had forgotten to dance and point to her mouth – as she had practiced for hours and hours.  She did manage to put it all together for the next three verses, however, and everyone clapped at the end while she took her bow.

 

And, just as she was leaving the stage, she heard a soft ringing of little bells.  As the ringing got louder and closer, everyone turned their heads to the side doorway.  Then, they heard a thunderous HO, HO, HO as Santa Claus entered the room.  Even Johnny forgot that he wasn’t a “believer” any more as he jumped up and down and got in line to see Santa.  Each child received a brown bag filled with hard Christmas candy and peanuts.  

 

The women of the church then brought out Christmas cookies and bars along with punch and coffee.  And, even though Barbara didn’t have two front teeth, she managed to eat plenty of treats.  Dad took lots of pictures and Johnny was proud of his sister.

 

This is a true story, by the way.  The names have been changed to protect my brother and little sister.  My middle name is Barbara.