December 5 means that both of the Special Gathering Christmas plays are over in Melbourne and Vero. This year unlike 2009, Mary’s face wasn’t bruised from having dental surgery.  The shocking effect was what appeared to be a bearded Mary.  Unlike 2004, Joseph wasn’t rushed to the play from the hospital emergency room after the doctors had stopped an all day nose bleed.  Thereby, we didn’t have a  Joseph who held his head high and was continually wiping blood from his face because he was fighting a nose bleed.  No one slipped, fell or broke a leg.

However, in our song about Joseph and how Joseph was angry with Mary because of the baby who had been conceived, one of our soloists sang, “While Joseph tossed an angel.”  The words were “while Joseph tossed in anger.”  Fortunately, no one seemed to notice a song in which we advocate abuse of heavenly visitors.

One of our angels did grow uncomfortable in her costume, so her helpful staff took off the bulky robe and head gear.  Our member sat happily in the back of the auditorium with her staff until it came time for the angels to go to the front of the stage to announce the birth to the shepherds.

On cue, she noisily broke away from her staff and took her rightful place with all the other angels.

I love working with people who are mentally challenged at The Special Gathering.  Our members are part of a cloistered sub-culture about which most folks know little and care less.  I love a gracious Lord who placed me right where he wanted me and brought me to these wonderful people who love Him with all their hearts.  I love a Joseph who must be rushed to the play and fights a nose bleed but who never thinks about not attending.  I love the surprises and the angelic abuse and the wandering angels.

angel photo by Oriental Trader