All this week, Christian leaders will be sharing favorite Christmas memories with readers. Today we hear from Johnson University educator Kendi Howells Douglas. Check back every morning, through Christmas Day, for more recollections.
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By Kendi Howells Douglas
Back when I was a little kid in the early 1970s, Christmas felt magical.
The parenting style was much different back then. When school was out, as I remember it, we often were sent outside for the day. When it was in session, we walked alone to and from the school building. I remember overhearing adults say things like, “Kids should be seen but not heard.” You get the picture. It was a different time and a different world, for sure.
But Christmas! Christmas was a time when kids took center stage.
PREPARING FOR THE PROGRAM
My church—like many Midwest Christian churches back in the day—had a Christmas children’s program, and kids would rehearse for it during the entire month of December. We would practice the songs and dialogue every Saturday and Sunday leading up to the big performance. The costumes—usually little bathrobes and homemade sheep outfits . . . a bedsheet and wire-hanger halo for the angel—were gathered, fitted, or made anew. The anticipation of our big night was great. It seemed like Christmas would never get here!
And then, finally, on the Sunday night before Christmas, it was our time to shine.
Everyone in the family dressed up in what likely were the fanciest clothes we would wear all year—the girls in charming red and green twirly dresses with shiny black patent leather shoes, the boys in adorable little dress shirts with clip-on ties. Shoes were shined (I’m not kidding). Pink foam curlers were worn all day to create perfect ringlets.
I remember riding in the family station wagon thinking that my older brothers, whose programs and sporting events I attended one after another, would be watching me for once. I didn’t want to mess up. There was a lot at stake!
We drove through snowy streets on our way to church. I remember the town’s Christmas decorations were so pretty; I often would squint to make the lights look even prettier. The anticipation and nerves began to set in as we pulled into the parking lot full of visiting aunts, uncles, and grandparents, all in town to see their kiddo on stage.
THE PROGRAM . . . AND AFTERWARD
The kids performed as best they could but there was always a boy who messed up his line or a girl who froze from stage fright. The program was never perfectly executed, but looking back on them, I can see where you could consider them “perfect” in their imperfections. Songs had to be restarted. A kid with a small role as a sheep—in an awkward cotton-ball costume—would try to be a star. The audience would grin and clap and smile.
After the performance, each child was given a brown paper bag filled with peanuts in the shell, individually wrapped candies, circus peanuts (why?), an apple, and maybe a popcorn ball. A few years ago, several church friends about my age were talking about “the paper bag.” The contents seemingly varied little from church to church in Minnesota. (Remember, it was a simpler time and we were thrilled with that gift!)
More importantly, as children, it felt like we were seen, valued, and appreciated. The adults all doted on us and told us we did a great job. When we left the now too-warm church, we were all sweaty, tired, and hopped-up on sugar. (Candy on a Sunday night? What was going on?). We’d step out into the cold wind, load into the wagon, and listen to Christmas music and look at lights on the way home. In my memory, these were the happiest Christmas moments as a kid.
As I look back on these simple Christmas programs and the gift we received, I know it was the love of Christ and family and friends that made them so special.
Every year I try to capture that sense that “all is right in the world” for myself and my family. For me, it comes through celebrating Advent all month. It comes through focusing on the hope, excitement, joy, and wonder that culminates in celebrating the irrational love of God who sent a baby, his Son, to be the Savior of the world.
May your Christmas be filled with that kind of wonder and love.
Dr. Kendi Howells Douglas serves as professor of intercultural studies/assistant dean with Johnson University.
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