Annie’s First Christmas
an angel story for children (and my favorite music makers)
“I can’t wait for Christmas,” Annie whispered as she climbed into bed, “it seems like we have been waiting forever.”
“We have, Annie,” Father said. “We have been waiting for all of time.”
“Does he really come, Father?” Annie questioned.
“Are you really ready, Annie?” Father asked.
“I believe that I am.”
That said, Father pulled that golden halo from Annie’s ponytail. He shined it up a bit. He sat it aside. He fluffed Annie’s tiny cloud and she laid down her angel head.
“Prayers,” he said, before turning off her star.
“Glory to God,” sang Annie.
“Good night,” said Father.
Annie thought what a good night it was. A perfect night for him to come. Would she miss him? Or, could she stay awake until morning?
“Glory to God,” she practiced. That part was easy. She had been singing it for all of time. The second part was a little harder. She sometimes forgot her lines. “And something about peace to men.” She mumbled the end.
Will I get it right? Annie wondered. She remembered that Michael said not to worry. She would not be alone. “There will be a multitude of us together,” Annie repeated to herself over and over.
“There will be a multitude…”
But then again, this was the first angel chorus to be chosen for earth. Annie did want to be perfect. Most of all, she did not want to miss that once in all time event. She had been practicing for all of time.
Gabriel was always insisting that they be on guard, listening for their cue to come. Their cue was “lying in a manger.” Annie whispered it often. They all whispered it. All the angels. No one said it loudly. Those words held a thunder all their own. Those words would be the end of the announcement that he had come. Christmas was here.
One more time, Annie thought, and then I will dream away. She whispered to herself, “lying in a manger.” And all at once the sky rocked. One star fell. Annie grabbed her halo and flew. The night had thundered. And without thinking, she began to sing. Alto Annie split the window of time with a multitude of friends. In all of it, they had never sounded so good.
Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to men on whom his favor rests.
Morning dawned as the stars began to nap.
“Father, he came!” Annie called out. “Christmas is here.”
“I know, little one. I know.” Her Father was already awake and halo-dressed. “Tell me about the song.”
“Father, it was beautiful,” Annie began. “I didn’t miss him. We were all there. We appeared right on cue. We sang the most glorious chorus.” She stopped and gazed at the earth below.
Her Father looked lovingly at his little one and saw her heart. “Then why the disappointment, Annie?” he asked.
“I dreamed of this night…” Annie sat down on the edge of the moon.
“For all of time,” Father added.
“For all of time,” Annie finished. “And I thought the stands would be full.” Annie wiped a tear from her cherub cheek. “I thought every seat would be filled. I thought our concert would be a sold-out event.”
“You were singing to God, Annie,” Father reminded, “not for a crowd.”
“But, Father, only some shepherds heard.”
“It was night, Annie,” Father explained, “the rest were sleeping.”
“But were we not loud enough?” Annie cried. “Could they not hear? Would they not wake up?”
“Oh, but they are,” Father promised. “Your song still echoes, Annie. It rings out year after year. And night after night, they are waking up. They are waking up all over the world.”
