The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Tell Me Your Favorite Part... I'll Tell You Mine First!

“But as far as I'm concerned, Mary is always going to look a lot like Imogene Herdman--sort of nervous and bewildered, but ready to clobber anyone who laid a hand on her baby.”
― Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

I think I will always remember my first Christmas as a mom. A holiday that always felt so focused on Jesus, for the first time shifted to Mary. As a woman, I have always been curious about Mary, about her story, her mind, her heart. But that Christmas, I moved from curious to connection. For the first time I understood what her body experienced- labor. Gut-wrenching, body tearing, emotionally draining labor that culminated in the existence of a brand new life in the world. How wondrous. I stared at my little brown boy so much that first Christmas when he was barely four months old. I believed that Bible verse that says, "Mary held all these things in her heart." 

And so, while there are lots of moments to love about The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, I feel ever connected to this quote... and my own ever shifting idea of Mary- not as quiet and obedient but as a powerful, vocal fighter... "ready to clobber anyone who laid a hand on her baby". 

I know not all of us are parents, but I imagine that we all have people in our lives who we are desperate to protect- neighbors near and far. And I pray that you also experience that protection from someone who loves you this way. 

A FEW MORE THINGS FOR YOU THIS WEEK…

Today’s theme is inspired by this post I did almost exactly a year ago. I thought no one would know this book. Not only did people know it, I got to be connected with the author’s daughter who shared how much her mom would have LOVED the comment section (how many times has that sentence ever been said???)!

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Have you read it? What’s your favorite part or favorite character?

I saw the director at Sundance and have been waiting to be able to see this documentary. Finally watched last night and it was beautiful. So appreciate how she brought forward the history of black/queerness in the formation of Little Richard’s performance and persona. But without sacrificing his own complexity and changing understandings of himself.

And speaking of documentaries, I’ve watched this one twice already. This documentary hit me so hard I had to watch it twice. My writing music is all instrumental and Jon Batiste is big on that playlist. So I was looking forward to learning more about him. What I didn’t expect was to be so moved by him.  In particular, watching Batiste navigate his own creative process, his own vision for what could be at Carnegie Hall, for what could be for Black artists who just want to be themselves- resonated so much as I work on my next project. In addition to that there is a couple deep in love, the space between dreams and nightmares, the questions and anxiety, the hope and art- it was everything I needed. 

What’s filling you up these days? I would love to know.

Full of… good memories,

Austin