BY MEGAN MURPHY
MY MOTHER, MARY ANNE, and her friend Elizabeth had agreed to head up the annual children’s Christmas pageant at our local Catholic church, St. Anne’s in Peterborough, Ont. Their challenge was to transform 20 suburban youngsters from the year 1986 into shepherds, wise men and barn animals from the year 1.
“Why does she get to be Mary?” my older sister Kate whined.
“You had the role last year. Your sister gets to be the Virgin this year,” Mom replied. There may have been some spiritual nepotism involved in the casting (Elizabeth’s son, Tony, was playing Joseph), but I’d rather believe that our mothers recognized our raw talent.
Our costume budget was somewhat lacking so I wore my own white nightgown with a baby blue pillowcase bobby pinned to my head. Joseph wore a terry cloth robe and a brown bath towel on his head, held firmly in place with a curtain tieback.
There were no lines to memorize. Instead, as the lector read the story of Jesus’s birth, Joseph and I knocked on the imaginary door of the inn and looked appropriately downtrodden when the innkeeper shook his head and pointed to a wooden manger downstage centre. Bleating about the makeshift structure were a handful of children on their hands and knees with woollen sheep ears attached to headbands. Joseph and I calmly sat ourselves on a crisp pile of dry straw, among the livestock, to await the miraculous birth of our child.
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Reader's Digest Canada.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2020 edition of Reader's Digest Canada.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ANGELINA'S PLAN TO DESTROY BRAD
AT IT AGAIN! A SOURCE SAYS ANGELINA JOLIE IS THREATENING TO RELEASE SECRET TAPES OF BRAD PITT BEING ABUSIVE.
WHY BREAST CANCER COMES BACK!
What every gal needs to know
Baby, This Is Motherhood
Welcoming 14-month-old son Leo put everything into perspective for Keke Palmer.
MAN, OH, MANDRELL!
Barbara's making a music comeback
On the Rebound
Her brand has hit a rough patch but J.Lo is already on to the next thing
On The Case
Girls Next Door alum Holly Madison dives into true crime stories in Lethally Blonde
MARGOT FUMES AS SHAKIRA TOYS WITH BARBIE!
DOLLFACE Margot Robbie is normally mild-mannered, but Shakira's Barbie zingers are getting under her skin and spies say she's telling people to keep the witch away from her - or else!
This Is a New Chapter in Our Lives
Welcome to suburbia! Bravo's buzzy new spinoff features a few familiar faces along with some fresh blood
INSECURE K-CLAN BEACH BUNNIES KICK SAND IN EACH OTHER'S FACES!
Mean momager Kris stirs the pot from 3,000 miles away!
BALDWIN'S LOOK ARE SHOT TO HELL!
Stress is killing old matinee idol
J.Lo to Ben: I WANT A BABY!
After getting a second chance at love, Jennifer Lopez wants a baby with Ben Affleck.
SHE'S THE STAR!
AS THE NEW SEASON OF THE REGENCY-ERA ROMANCE ARRIVES, NICOLA COUGHLAN FINDS HERSELF FRONT AND CENTER.
KEVIN: I WANT TO COME BACK TO YELLOWSTONE!
Will Yellowstone patriarch John Dutton return to the ranch?
SACHA & ISLA WHY IT REALLY ENDED
How ego and fundamental differences torpedoed Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher's marriage
Ben's Secret Texts to Matthew's Ex
Ben Affleck's brief stint on the dating app Raya in 2019 produced one very interesting love connection.
Billionaire Kylie GOING BROKE?!
As sales reportedly dip for Kylie Cosmetics, the makeup mogul hatches new ways to make money
GARTH DITCHES TRISHA!
Garth Brooks raises eyebrows for skipping wife Trisha Yearwood's big moment at the CMT Awards
Kate's New Life
How Princess Kate has prioritized her children and relied on a tight inner circle, led by Prince William, for support during her brave cancer battle
Are The Kardashians Finally At Peace?
The disgraced athlete quietly haunted the reality stars' lives long after he was acquitted of murder
NEW WALLOP FOR WILD MAN WALLEN!
More rehab & Worse after latest boozy bust
ABOVE THE LAW!
Explosive court papers dish Scientology warred on lawmen to protect Masterson rape secrets
GIRL, 7, SELLS LEMONADE TO BUY MOM'S GRAVE MARKER
Raises $10G after tragedy
WHY TORI SPELLING CAN'T POOP ALONE!
DEAR DR. GILDA: What's the straight poop on Tori Spelling? The D-list actress says she can't go to the bathroom without someone watching her - is this normal?
JUNKIE SON TRASHING 'UNFIT' CHER
Tells court she can't manage her own life!
VAIN MARIAH OUT TO PUMP UP HER SHRINKING MELONS!
CHESTY songbird Mariah Carey is in total meltdown mode as her once-prized 34F breasts have shriveled in size and are sinking toward her navel, say sources.
LAUER & LEMON'S REVENGE FANTASY!
Toxic team aims to conquer world
BRIT BEGS SAM TO SAVE HER!
Sends coded messages to get under his skin
GOLDEN BACHELOR'S HOUSE OF CARDS!
GOLDEN Bachelor Gerry Turner and his bachelorette Theresa Nist tied the knot in a glitzy Jan. 4 TV ceremony — yet three months later, the honeymooners were still in a long-kiss-dance relationship.
INSIDE THEIR SHOCKING SPLIT
The Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist end their three-month marriage amid tension over where to begin their life together
WYNONNA JUDD'S NEW HEARTACHE!
Troubled daughter tangles with law again, leaving own baby in jeopardy