The Best Christmas Pageant Ever--St. Olaf Edition

I don't know about you all, but I was in my church Christmas pageant from as far back as I can remember until I went off to college.  And, in fact, I remember coming back one Christmas and being put in the choir because they needed extra voices--even though I hadn't attended any practices!  Ah, the joys of a small (and I mean small church).

Each and every year I was an angel with a white robe, tinsel around the neck (that itched something fierce!) and tinsel for a halo.  But, it was more than just the itchiness and white robe, it was being a part of something bigger, of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, doing what I could to help honor his arrival.  

Lily wanted to do that and Brien and I came along for the ride.  And, oh, what a joyful, funny, wonderful ride it was!  :o)  I have posted below the highlights from Sunday evening.  A few disclaimers before we get to them:
1.  I was using my little point and shoot with no flash--so as not to disturb the actors.
2.  I was trying desperately to shoot between heads, shoulders, and arms held high over heads as they too tried to get decent shots (boy digital cameras have changed the way we take photos!). 
3.  It was dark.  
4.  The kids were moving. 
5.  Just because I have to have a multiple of five. ;o)

The narrators.  Also known as the girls who absconded with Beanie later in the evening. ;o)

See, shooting between heads!

Alllllmost got it.

Ah, there she is!

The angel Gabriel.

The angels circling Mary as she sleeps and dreams of what has been foretold.

The back of Miss Bit.

I saw her craning her little neck to try to find me.  She did, she grinned, I snapped.  Pop laughed. :o)

Mary sang a beautiful solo that brought tears to my eyes.

Most of the cast.

Ellie got into the groove of things, clapping and singing along. :o)

Singing "Silent Night".

We practiced and practiced and practiced.

Now she wants to sing it all the time.  There are FAR worse songs she could be wanting to sing.

"All is calm."

"All is bright."

The little girl to her left is her church buddy.  They are so cute together.

Oh I LOVE this face.  I sincerely wish it weren't fuzzy.  Oh well.

Please note, all three of the little angels up there are standing on the same step.  I promise.

See?  I sometimes forget just itty Bitty is. 

Oh how wonderful this was.  I'm so happy Lil decided she needed to be a part of it.  :o)

So, how about you all, did any of you participate in a Christmas pageant?  What role did you play?  Were you a perpetual angel like me?  :oP

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  Taking time to sit and reflect and be more mindful of my spiritual life this time of year.  Duh!  Isn't that what we're supposed to do?? Sometimes I'm a bit slow on the uptake. ;oP
2.  Snuggling with my Holly dog. :o)
3.  I'm a gift wrapping machine, folks!  And, speaking of which, I should be getting back to that right about now.  Oops!

Milestone:
Lil's one day into six.  I did it.  I got a child past five years, 9 months and 28 days.  I got her all the way to six.  I cannot begin to tell you what a relief this is.  Silly?  Yes.  But, still there, lurking, nonetheless.

*****ETA*****
For those of you out there who enjoy "Angry Birds" as much as I, this is a must watch:

Well done, no?