Merrilee Boyack - The Mismatched Nativity

J oshua was new to his class at church and he was feeling pretty lonely. The teacher, Sister Bennett, welcomed him and asked him to say hello.

Hello, he said quietly, staring at the floor and running his fingers through his dark hair.

Joshua has moved here from across the country, Sister Bennett said. She smiled at Josh and said, Were happy youre in our class. I think youre going to like it here.

Joshua was silent for the rest of the lesson.

T he next week Joshua was not in church. Sister Bennett said to the class, Can you imagine how hard it would be to move somewhere far away? Joshua could really use some love and friendship. Christmas is coming soon. What do you think about showing him that were glad hes here?

Sister Bennett explained, I have an idea about how we could show Josh that he has friends who care about him. You will need to ask your parents for their help and permission, but I think there is something we can do to give Josh a happy Christmas in his new home.

T he next afternoon, Sammy stopped by Joshuas house with his dog. Hey, Josh! Want to go for a walk with me and my dog? Sammy asked. Joshua smiled and agreed. He liked dogs. Sammys dog was big and golden and had a long tail that bounced happily in the air.

Joshua put on his coat and gloves, and the boys took turns with the leash as they walked the dog through the neighborhood. When they got back to Joshuas house, Sammy handed him a small shepherd figurine. Josh held it in his hands and rubbed his hands over the brown wood.

My mom said I could give you this from one of our nativity sets, Sammy said. I like the shepherds because they took care of their sheep like I take care of my dog.

Josh said thank you and set the small wooden shepherd, holding a strong, curved staff, on the table by the door.

A few days later, Maria knocked on Joshuas
door. Hi, Joshua, she said. Im Mariafrom your Primary class. I brought you a treat! She held out a plate of Christmas cookies shaped like stars and a container of frosting. Want to help me frost them? she asked.

After more than a little nibbling and finger licking, they had artfully decorated the cookies with mounds of frosting and colorful candy sprinkles.

I brought you a star from our nativity set, Maria said when it was time for her to go home. My mom said you could have it.

Josh held up the shiny gold star. He put it across from the shepherd on the table by the door. Cool, he said. Now the shepherd will know what direction to go!

O n Saturday, Taylor called across the fence to Josh, who was playing in his backyard. Want to help me build a birdhouse? Im making it for my mom for Christmas.

Josh climbed over the fence to Taylors backyard. They worked all afternoon carefully gluing and hammering the pieces together. When they were finished, they were both proud of the birdhouse they had made.

Wait, Taylor said, handing Joshua something as he started to climb back over the fence. I made this for you. It will remind you of building the birdhouse together.

It was a small manger with short pieces of straw tucked inside to make a bed.

Thanks! Joshua said. Back at home, he set the manger next to the shepherd on the table by the door.

T he next week, Keaton came to the front door. Can you go sledding with me and my dad? he asked.

Off they went to the park, where Josh slid down the hill over and over with Keaton and his father. As they were driving home, Keaton reached into a sack sitting on the back seat. He handed Josh a tall figure. This is Joseph from our nativity set, he said. He reminds me of my dad because Joseph was good to baby Jesus and helped him.