It was a very interesting box. It was decorated with red and white candy cane stripes. A drawing of a Christmas wreath was on the address label. It looked as if it might be a present. But I did not get to look at it for very long. Daddy excused himself and disappeared upstairs. It was another mystery package. I wondered who it was for.
My tummy was making rumbling noises. It was time for lunch. I hurried into the kitchen. Nannie was taking some leftovers out of the oven. I noticed that her potholder was old and torn.
A new potholder would be easy for me to make. I wrote “potholder” on the list next to Nannie’s name.
“Would you set the table, please, Karen?” asked Nannie. “There is a new package of napkins on the counter.”
The napkins were decorated with red bells and green holly. Christmas was coming to the big house.
I did not have an angel for the tree. I was not playing the angel in the pageant. I owed a store owner money that I did not have. But I was still happy. Presents were being wrapped. Napkins had holly on them. Christmas was in the air!
Christmas Countdown
I woke up on Sunday and looked at my calendar. It was December 17th. That meant eight more days to Christmas.
I found Nannie, Elizabeth, Kristy, Emily, David Michael, Andrew, and Sam in the kitchen eating breakfast.
“Hi, everyone. Where are Daddy and Charlie?” I asked.
“They are on a secret mission,” replied Sam.
“They will be home soon,” said Elizabeth. “You will know where they have been as soon as they walk through the door.”
I ate my favorite breakfast of Krispy Krunchy cereal. Nannie made me a cup of hot chocolate to go with it.
I was not sure what to do next. There were so many choices. I could make gifts for Hannie and Nancy. I could figure out what to do about getting an angel. I could decorate my room for Christmas.
“Karen, would you like to help Emily and me bake Christmas cookies this morning?” asked Nannie.
That was it! I could help Nannie and Emily bake Christmas cookies.
“Yes!” I said. “What kind will we make?”
“Ginger cookies and sugar cookies,” said Nannie.
“Yum and yum,” I replied.
My first job was to beat the eggs. While I was working, a Christmas song came on the radio. I sang along. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!”
Then I made up my own words.
There are presents hidden everywhere.
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.
You will soon be smelling cookies in the air!
When the dough was ready, Nannie let me use the Christmas cookie cutters. They were shaped like trees and stars.
We had just popped the first batch of cookies into the oven when Daddy and Charlie came home. They were carrying a great big tree tied up with rope.
“You bought a Christmas tree! That was your secret mission,” I said.
We helped them carry the tree into the living room.
“We think we got a good one this year,” said Daddy.
He cut the rope off. The branches dropped down.
“It is so big,” said Kristy.
“And it is not one bit lopsided,” I said.
“It is an amazing tree,” said Elizabeth.
“Thank you, everyone, thank you,” said Charlie.
I wanted to decorate the tree right away. But we were going to save that job for Christmas Eve. So I spent the day baking cookies, making gifts, and listening to Kristy read stories from a very good book called Children of Christmas.
The next day when I returned from school, Sam was stringing up lights outside. Elizabeth came home from work early to help Sam decorate the house inside and out. (That was their job.)
By the time they finished, it was dark. Elizabeth called, “Come outside and look, everyone.”
My big-house family put on jackets and stood together in the yard. Sam flipped a switch. The Christmas lights flashed on. A wreath hung on the door. Red candles stood tall in the windows. Tinsel hung down around them. Our house was glowing.
I felt a tug on my jacket. It was Andrew.
“Hey, Karen,” he whispered. “What are we going to do about the angel? We have to get one. It is our job.”
Andrew sounded worried. I was not in the mood to worry with him. I was too happy.
“It is okay. We have time,” I replied.
It was December 18th. There were seven days till Christmas. Seven more days to worry about an angel.
Stoneybrook Manor
“Knock, knock,” I said.
“Who’s there?” replied Hannie.
“Sandy,” I said.
“Sandy who?” said Nancy.
“Sandy Claus is coming to town!”
It was Tuesday afternoon. My classmates and I were riding the school bus to Stoneybrook Manor. Ms. Colman had packed up the decorations we had made. We were going to hang them up and spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the people there.
The first time we went to Stoneybrook Manor I had felt nervous. Lots of kids had. But no one felt nervous anymore. Now we knew the people there. Many of them were our friends.
When we arrived, Mrs. Fellows greeted us. Mrs. Fellows helps run Stoneybrook Manor.
“Welcome, children,” she said. “Everyone is looking forward to seeing you. Please come in.”
I saw a Christmas tree inside. But it was kind of sad looking. It was not nearly as pretty as the Christmas tree at the big house. The place needed some cheering up.
I took out the paper tree I had made. It was small. But it was cheerful.
“May I see that?” asked a lady I had not met before.
“Sure,” I said. “I made the whole tree and every one of the ornaments myself.”
“It is beautiful,” said the lady.
“My name is Karen Brewer. What is your name?” I asked.
The lady stopped smiling. She looked confused. And unhappy. I was sorry I had asked her name.
“It is okay,” I said. “You do not have to tell me your name. It could be your secret.”
Mrs. Fellows hurried to us.
“This is Mrs. Humphrey. She has trouble remembering things sometimes,” she said.
I decided I would not ask any more questions. I did not want Mrs. Humphrey to feel unhappy. I told Mrs. Humphrey all about myself instead. Mrs. Humphrey was happy to listen. I made her laugh a lot. We were having a very good time.
Nancy was visiting with Grandma B. The first time we visited Stoneybrook Manor, some of us adopted grandparents. Grandma B. was my adopted grandma. But I gave her to Nancy because I have four grandmas already.
Nancy and Grandma B. were playing with the dreidel Nancy had made. They were singing a Hanukkah song together.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
I made it out of clay.
And when it’s dried and ready,
Then dreidel I will play!
Hannie was showing her diorama to a nice man I had seen before. He had bright blue eyes and snow-white hair. Then Hannie said something and the man laughed. (Maybe she told him my knock-knock joke.)
In between visiting, we hung up our decorations. When we finished, the room looked a whole lot better.
“It is time for refreshments,” said Mrs. Fellows.
She brought out cookies and punch for everyone. We sang holiday songs. Then Mrs. Fellows made a speech.
“Thank you for coming today. It cheers us up greatly to see your happy faces. And we will enjoy the beautiful decorations you made.”
The residents clapped for us. That made me feel good. Ms. Colman promised we would come again to visit in the spring. Then it was time to leave.
I said good-bye to Mrs. Humphrey. I even gave her a hug. I was happy to have a brand-new friend.
Dress Rehearsal
Now it was time to worry. It was Friday afternoon. There were only three more days till Christmas. Andrew and I still had not figured out what to do ab
out getting an angel for the tree.
I did not feel like going to Hannie’s house. But I had to. She had called for a dress rehearsal at two o’clock. (School was out for winter vacation.) The pageant would be held the next evening at seven.
I went to Hannie’s in a grumpy mood. I did not feel like rehearsing because I was playing the part of Mary and not the angel. All I could think about were angels. Not about being an angel. Not about having an angel. About breaking an angel.
“Okay, take your places, everyone,” said Hannie.
I walked straight to the wrong spot. That was because my mind was on something else. (It was on you-know-what.) Hannie reminded me where I was supposed to stand. She reminded me nicely. But I gave her a grumpy look anyway.
The angel was the first one to talk in the pageant. That meant Hannie got to be the angel and to talk first. This did not make me feel any better.
“This child of Mary shall be the Holy Spirit,” said Hannie.
“Maa! Maa!” said Andrew.
“No, not yet!” said Hannie. “You are not supposed to say anything until we get to the barn.”
Andrew had said his part way too soon. His part did not come until the middle of the pageant. I guess his mind was on the angel, too.
It was Scott’s turn to speak next. He had the part of Joseph. But he forgot what to say. Hannie had to remind him.
Then it was my turn to speak.
“I am ready for the journey,” I said. (At least I remembered my part.)
Next we had to walk to Bethlehem. On the way, Scott tripped over my shawl. It was dragging on the floor.
“Karen, please pick up the shawl. It is not yours and you should not get it dirty,” said Hannie.
“I did not get it dirty. I am not the one who stepped on it. Scott did,” I said. “If you are so worried about the shawl, wear it yourself. You should be Mary.”
“Maybe I should be Mary. You are not acting like Mary at all. The real Mary would never sound so mean,” said Hannie.
“Well, I do not want to be Mary,” I replied. “I never did. I want to be the angel.”
“You do?” asked Hannie. “Well, I want to be Mary. I am always Mary.”
We stopped snapping at each other. We decided then and there to switch parts. Hannie was going to play Mary. I was going to be the angel. We went to another room and switched costumes. I walked back into the dining room with a big smile on my face.
“We will start the rehearsal over from the beginning,” said Hannie.
I knew the angel’s lines by heart. Now I was the first to speak.
“This child of Mary shall be the Holy Spirit,” I said.
Yes! I was the angel! Now I could look forward to being in the pageant.
The Christmas Pageant
The next night at six-thirty, Andrew, David Michael, and I put on our costumes and walked over to the Papadakises’ house. Snow was gently falling. Holiday lights were shining up and down the street. It was gigundoly beautiful.
We were the first members of the cast to arrive. Hannie’s dining room was all set for the pageant. The star that shined over Bethlehem was hanging from the ceiling. (It was made of tin foil.) There were curtains on the sliding doors. A cardboard manger with Hannie’s baby doll was hidden away in a corner of the room. (Her doll was the perfect baby Jesus.)
Ding-dong. The rest of the cast was arriving. Then the guests started to arrive. I felt as if I had butterflies in my stomach. I was surprised I was nervous. I knew my part very well. And I knew everyone in the audience. They were my family and friends. But being an angel is important. I wanted to be just right.
There were ten of us in the pageant, not counting Hannie’s doll. That meant five families were coming. Other people from the neighborhood who saw our fliers had promised to come, too. Soon the room was filled with people.
We let Emily and Sari hand out the programs. (Mrs. Papadakis had made them as a surprise for us.) The names of the cast were listed in order of appearance. Guess whose name was first. Mine. The program said in bold letters:
Angel ….….….….….….… Karen Brewer
I was so proud! I stood tall and spread my wings as wide as they would go.
When everyone was seated or standing in a comfortable place, Hannie began the program.
“Welcome to our Christmas pageant,” she said. “We hope you enjoy the show. Please stay for refreshments.”
Mr. Papadakis dimmed the dining-room lights. I closed my eyes and made believe I had gone back in time to the night Jesus was born. I was so busy making believe that I forgot to start speaking.
“Ahem,” said Hannie.
I opened my eyes. I was back in Hannie’s dining room. I knew I was supposed to say something. But for a minute, I could not remember what. Then it came to me.
“This child of Mary shall be the Holy Spirit,” I said loudly and clearly.
“Come, let us go to Bethlehem,” said Scott.
“I am ready for the journey,” said Hannie.
Everyone said their parts perfectly. (But Andrew’s fluffy white cotton puffs had fallen off. He looked like a lamb that had been shaved. No one seemed to mind, though.)
We ended by singing “Silent Night.” Then Mr. Papadakis turned out all the dining-room lights. Linny held a flashlight so it shone on the star over Bethlehem. Hannie said, “Merry Christmas, everyone.”
The audience began clapping. Someone called out, “Bravo!” The ten of us stood in a line, holding hands under the shining tin star.
When the lights were turned on, Mrs. Papadakis invited everyone into the living room for refreshments.
Kristy hurried over to me.
“You were a terrific angel,” she said.
“I am very proud of you kids,” said Daddy.
Elizabeth took turns hugging Andrew, David Michael, and me. She was smiling, but her eyes looked a little teary. I think she was crying because she was happy.
I was happy, too. It was my first big-house Christmas pageant. And it was a big-house Christmas success.
The Truth
When I woke up the next morning, I jumped out of bed. I looked at my calendar. It said: Sunday. December 24th. Christmas Eve. I expected to see in tiny print: Karen Brewer, you do not have an angel!
Why had I waited so long to find an angel? I guess I thought someone would send Andrew and me some Christmas money early. Or that we would earn the money ourselves. I thought somehow Andrew and I would be able to buy a wonderful angel to put on our Christmas tree. I was wrong.
Knock, knock. Andrew was at my door. He looked sleepy. And worried.
“Karen, are we going to get an angel today?” he asked.
“I wish we could,” I said. “But we have no money.”
Uh-oh. I remembered something important. I had promised to pay back the store owner by Christmas Eve.
“Good morning, Karen. Good morning, Andrew,” said Kristy. She hurried past my room with an armful of boxes.
“Come on, sleepyheads. Come join us,” said Elizabeth. She had an armful of boxes, too.
My family was bringing boxes of ornaments downstairs from the attic. Christmas Eve was supposed to be one of the best days of the season. So far it felt like the worst.
Andrew and I went downstairs to eat breakfast. The boxes from the attic were spread across the living room.
“We have such great ornaments,” said Kristy. “I can hardly wait until tonight to decorate the tree.”
“We have not seen the angel yet,” said Charlie.
“I am sure that will be the best ornament of all,” said Nannie.
That did it. I started to cry. Andrew did, too. We were crying so hard we could not even tell anyone what was wrong. Daddy put his arms around us.
“It is okay,” he said. “I am sure whatever is wrong can be fixed.”
“We will help you,” said Elizabeth. “Just tell us why you are crying.”
“It cannot be fixed,” I said.
“It is broken. We
broke it,” added Andrew.
“What did you break?” asked Daddy.
Andrew and I stopped crying long enough to tell our family the story. We told them that the angel was dropped and broke into little pieces. We told them that the store owner wanted us to pay him back.
“I am sorry,” I said. “We had an important job and we did not do it.”
“I am sorry, too,” said Andrew.
“That is all right,” said Daddy. “You did not mean to break the angel. These things happen. I will call the store owner and straighten everything out.”
“You do not have to buy an angel,” said Kristy. “You can make one.”
“That is right,” said Elizabeth. “We would love to have a homemade angel on the tree.”
We heard Daddy talking to the store owner. He said we would be there in an hour to pay for the angel.
After he hung up he said to Andrew and me, “It is true that when you break something in a store, you should pay for it. So I will pay for the angel now, and I would like the two of you to pay me back when you can. Does that sound fair?”
Andrew and I agreed it was fair.
After breakfast, we drove downtown with Daddy to pay the store owner. Then we hurried home to make an angel.
“Hey, Andrew, I have an idea,” I said. “We can use this pipe cleaner angel I made at school.”
I showed him my angel. She was bent out of shape. With a little work we would be able to use her, though.
We fixed her up and brought her to the living room. But she looked shabby next to the other ornaments. Oh, well. She would have to do.
A Little-House Visit
Honk, honk.
“Come on, Andrew. Mommy is here,” I said.
We ran out of the big house to greet Mommy.
Andrew and I were going to spend the afternoon at the little house with Mommy, Seth, Granny, and Grandad. (Granny and Grandad are Seth’s parents. They were visiting from Nebraska.)
On the way to the little house, we told Mommy the story of the broken angel.
Mommy was glad we were not sad anymore. She reminded us that whenever we have a problem we cannot solve ourselves, we should talk about it with a grown-up we trust.