The Christmas Pageant

It was three days before Christmas and we were awaiting the arrival of snow.

*Sophie and I with our cousin Samuel on the steps of his house Winter 1890

Tomorrow was the Christmas pageant and Sophie was to play an angel. Mother had spent days making ready her costume. A beautiful old shawl had been donated for the wings and angelic slippers. The thumping of the treadle sewing machine echoed down the hall as the aroma from Grandma's baking filled the house. Sophie and I were taking tea with her dollies in the parlor when we noticed the snowflakes beginning to fall outside the window.


As the afternoon turned to evening the blanket of snow was heavy and the sounds from the harness bells tinkled with each passing horse-drawn sleigh.

When we had arrived at the church hall the following evening Mother and Sophie hurried backstage. Father took me by the hand and we found our seats.

As the curtains separated the crowd hushed and were entranced as the play unfolded before us. And suddenly there was Sophie, her delicate slippers pointed beneath her as she spread her wings and took flight. I was filled with glee my sister was an angel...


Christmas was special that year... whenever I pulled back the tissue to reveal Sophie's delicate lacey slippers the memories returned and brought me back to the Christmas pageant...