Kaden, my great-grandson, had an important role in his preschool’s Christmas program in Las Vegas last night.  He was a cow. He had asked to be a dinosaur but was given the choice of a cow, a sheep or a donkey. Along with 11 other three-year-olds, his job was to sit in a chair at the front of the stage and stand when it was his turn to sing a Christmas carol.  Upon entering the stage, he walked like a Raptor and his “moo” sounded more like a “ROAR,” so we guessed he was a cross between the two animals, more like a “cowasaur.”

Twenty preschool “angels” sat at the back of the stage.  They each had one line they were to deliver into the downstage microphone.  Directing dinosaurs would have been easier.  They, at least, returned to their seats after they spoke.  Kaden’s group, on the other hand, included a couple of runaways, a little girl who tried to put her hairbow in Kaden’s cow hat and then sat with her back to the audience, several who randomly stood and moved in the sanctuary wherever they wanted, and not a few who removed their costumes on stage (Kaden included).  Fortunately, there were clothes underneath.

 

We marveled at the patience of the adults in charge and the teenage “angels” who sat in strategic spots to try and keep the kiddies under control. An almost impossible task.

I love how God gives us all different gifts.  If you read my book, you know that working with a group of little tikes is not my thing.  I fail at it miserably.  What I appreciated about these adult workers was how they never stopped smiling, even if they had to leave their kneeling, directors’ positions in front of the kiddos to chase one of the escapees and return him (yes, him, always a him) to his assigned position on the stage.

 

We were there because this Christmas was a reunion for the LaRoche clan.  We met at Dave’s daughter’s house for six days in Henderson, Nevada, and had a blast. Every couple was responsible for a meal for 27 relatives.  There were pickleball and wallyball competitions, bike rides, guys-against-girls board games, a crazy, neighborhood, Christmas scavenger hunt, times to watch two three-year-olds and three one-year-olds learn to share and get along, and lots of visits to catch up, to spend time with loved ones. Each of our “gifts” was evident.

From organizing child car seats in vehicles (think musical chairs with car seats) to food preparation/clean-up to game/activity orchestrating to scorekeeping to entertaining babies to praying and leading a devotional, we all had a purpose. 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) reminds us of how we are to use our gifts: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.                                                                                                           

Any time a group of people are involved (albeit conducting a children’s Christmas program or a family reunion), it is paramount that individuals work together for the good of all.  Had those volunteers at Kaden’s event allowed the kids to run amok, chaos would have ensued.  Had any of our relatives sat back and expected to be catered to, they would have found themselves in a very lonely position.            And probably very, very hungry.

As it turned out, we are already discussing our next get together.  I hope the volunteers at Kaden’s program are doing likewise.  One thing’s for certain—they deserve all the prayers they can get.

Merry Christmas, All!