Many years ago, I had the opportunity to direct the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It is based on the book by Barbara Robinson that most of us have read or at least seen performed. The tale relates the story of a rag tag family of children being raised by a single mom. These kids are left to their own devices most of the time. They’re constantly getting into trouble. In their attempts to rob the church of its offerings, they hear about a Christmas pageant that is being planned by the Sunday school teacher. They listen attentively to the character list and decide they want to participate. It’s a heartwarming, tear jerking, humorous tale that touches the minds of those who experience it.

My group of children were excited to perform this classic. Most of the time, when a church activity requires a pageant performed by children, chaos ensues, and this story is no different. All the girls want to be an angel – more specifically the Angel of the Lord. If not an angel, Mary topped the list. The boys don’t really care. They would prefer not to be in the pageant anyway. Usually someone will volunteer to play the shepherds or Joseph. The tree kings are overlooked because they have to wear fancy velvet robes and crowns. On the other hand, shepherds carry staffs and sling shots.

One of the common phrases in the story is, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” Once again, this played out through the casting process. In the true story of the Nativity of Christ, each character served a purpose. The holy family was the centerpiece. Mary and Joseph along with Mary’s newly born son (God’s Son, Jesus) were the main characters. Mary and Joseph would watch the new child grow into a man destined to change the world forever. Jesus, would be the pure final sacrifice, come to destroy sin, death and the power of the devil. The shepherds would begin spreading the news. The angels would praise the child and honor him with their voices. Even the star in the heavens had a part to play. The angel of the Lord was the same angel that visited the parents of John, the Baptist, Mary and Joseph and the Shepherds in the fields.

We all hope we are part of something amazing when we review the story of Christmas and we are. Of course no one wants a small part in this story. We want to share in the message and spread it to others. This was Jesus’ goal for us as well. He came for humanity as the perfect Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. He came to give us a reason to live. He came to promise life after death in eternal paradise with Him. He gave Himself because He loves us so much. Never consider yourself as having no purpose. God gave you a reason for living that surpasses anything that man can provide. Spread that news to others. Jesus makes the difference for all of us.