La Posada

Last week our whole family had the opportunity to represent the Holy family at our church's live nativity, La Posada. They selected us because I called the church in early October and volunteered. Several families have had baby boys since then, and would have been much more appropriate candidates, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I really wanted to do it.

I thought Claire would have to be wrangled down and kept away from the manger, but the lady that was in charge let her be an angel.

We had so much fun. I rode a donkey down Clover Lane in Ft. Worth. We had police escorts! Usually you only get a police escort after you die and the coffin is travelling down the road. I got a police escort for riding a donkey! Of course, the police were also there to protect the procession following us, but still, it was pretty funny.

My first attempt at mounting the donkey ended in disaster. He moved.

We had better luck the next time.

I tried hard to be reverent and serene, but those are two adjectives that don't fit me quite well. I was very honored that irreverent and funny as my family is, we were allowed to represent the Holy Family. I was Mary, mother of Jesus! Adam was Joseph! Paul was the Baby Jesus! And Claire was an angel! I still am amazed that we got away with it.

Sheep and camels came to bow down at the manger. Claire really wanted to go pet the sheep and shouted "Baa! Baa!" at them. (Coincidentally, she also shouted that when she noticed a stained glass window at church yesterday. During worship service.)

In this picture, Claire is about to go run to pet the sheep, but as I am holding the Baby Jesus, I am also telling his big sister to stay right there. Adam is attempting to look reverent. He did a bettter job than me on that.

After the drama was over, people came to greet the "newborn" 20 lb. Baby Jesus.

We had a lot of fun and laughs. Paul and I both passed out blessings to people. As much fun as we had, though, I also had moments of clarity. It was difficult for me to ride a donkey, but I can't imagine doing it when I was 9 months pregnant! It's tough to breathe when you're that pregnant, much less ride a donkey!

And as happy and proud as we are of our little "Baby Jesus," I am speechless when I think about the real Jesus and what an honor it must have been to be his mother. A few days later I was working on my Bible study and one sentence stood out to me. "He was born to die." We talk often about God being Jesus' father and he gave his "only begotten Son," but what about his mother? I can't imagine raising a child like that. It must have been excruciating! You know that your Son has the hope for the entire world on his shoulders, so you're proud of that, but he's your Son! You don't want him to die! I don't know how soon Mary knew that Jesus would have to give his life, but my children are like body parts to me. I can't imagine watching one of them die.

Playing this role has made me think this holiday season. I always try to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, but you understand the meaning a lot better when you act it out.