The day of the Christmas presentation finally arrived. My young
daughter, Jana, was so excited about her part that I thought she was
to be one of the main characters, though she had not told me what she
was to do. The parents were all there and one by one the children
took their places. I could see the shepherds fidgeting in the corner
of the stage meant to represent the fields for the sheep. Mary and
Joseph stood solemnly behind the manger.

In the back three young wise men waited impatiently. But still Jana
sat quietly and confidently. Then the teacher began: "A long time ago,
Mary and Joseph had a baby and they named Him Jesus," she said. "And
when Jesus was born, a bright star appeared over the stable."

At that cue, Jana got up from her chair, picked up a large tin-foil
star, walked behind Mary and Joseph and held the star up high for
everyone to see. When the teacher told about the shepherds coming to
see the baby, the three young shepherds came forward and Jana jiggled
the star up and down excitedly to show them where to come. When the
wise men responded to their cue, she went forward a little to meet
them and to lead the way, her face as alight as the real star might
have been.

The playlet ended. We had refreshments. On the way home Jana said,
with great satisfaction, "I had the main part!"

"You did?" I questioned, wondering why she thought that.

"Yes," she said, "'cause I showed everybody how to find Jesus!"