Along Came Sarah Barrett

Jonathan and Mark are traveling down the road waiting to hear from 'The Boss' for their next assignment. Mark is driving and says as he turns the radio on, "Jonathan, "I want to listen to some Christmas music."

Mark turns the radio on and it plays, "Run, Run Rudolph..."

Mark says as he turns the dial, "NOT that!"

It starts off nice and melodious, "Silent Night," Mark grins in satisfaction. Then a announcer interrupts and says, "Yes there will be a silent night while driving a brand new 1987..."

Mark shuts off the radio upset and says, "Has everybody forgotten the real meaning of Christmas. It isn't about a make believe Rudolph. It isn't about a nice automobile. It's about God's love to sinful men in the birth of the Christ Child. I tell you Jonathan these days Christmas is missing something."

There's a pause and silence.

Then Mark continues Jonathan you being an Angel what's your favorite Christmas Carol? No let me guess, 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing,' or 'Angels We Have Heard O High.'

Jonathan responds, "Cute Mark, cute."

Mark asks, "C'mon pal, which one is it you love to sing."

Jonathan responds, "I never made it into the choir."

Mark chuckles, "An Angel who can't sing... Ha Ha. You're kidding right?"

Jonathan replies, I'm not kidding Mark I can't sing!"

Mark asks, "Not a lick?"

Jonathan answers, "Worse than Barney Fife."

Mark states, "I bet you listen to records when you are alone in Heaven." Mark grins and chuckles.

Jonathan wants to change the subject and says, Alright, alright I can't sing."

Mark chuckles a little more to himself than asks, "So what's the assignment?"

Jonathan answers, "I don't know yet."

Mark says, "Well I'm hungry... Greta'd Grill... Looks like a good place to eat."

Mark parks the car they get out and walk in. A waitress meets them at the door and says, "We take cash or you can sing for your supper, really. What'll be?" She waits for them to answer while smackin on some chewing gum.

Jonathan answers, "It will be cash," Mark laughs at the irony of it.

Mark orders a chicken sandwich, fries and a Strawberry milkshake. Jonathan says, "Nothing for me but a cup of coffee, thank you."

Mark gobbles down his meal and relaxes with his milkshake. Jonathan sips on his coffee. As Mark is slurping on the last bit of milkshake Jonathan says, "Come on Mark we got an assignment. It's two blocks from here and turn right."

Mark takes his last slurp on the milkshake and he and Jonathan pay the check. They leave the restaurant get in the car and head down the road two blocks and as they are just about to turn right Mark notices, "Hmm... 34th St. cute, Jonathan, cute. Did you do that?"

Jonathan answers, "No, it must have been the Boss.

They follow 34th St. a little bit and there it is, on the left, Sunrise Orphan home Incorporated with a sign reading, 'Wanted: Help with a Christmas Pageant, director and choir director needed.'

Jonathan and Mark though not qualified to direct a pageant and to lead a choir walk in and gets the job. Mark will be the director and Jonathan will lead the singing.

The one in charge tells Jonathan and Mark the pageant is about the Nativity using a variety of songs scattered throughout the story. Mark is given a script for the pageant Nativity play. He practices with the children to help them learn their lines. Mark says, "Okay places everyone places please. Where is Joseph has anybody seen Joseph?"

Silence no answer and then finally a kid responds, "Ain't no Joseph around here."

Mark says, "I mean the one playing Joseph has anyone seen him?

Another kid says, "You didn't say that. You must mean Bubba. Where is Bubba?"

A kid with a squeaky voice says, "I think he's in the bathroom."

A second later Bubba comes out of the bathroom blowing his nose. A girl named Jill who's playing Mary says, "Come on Joseph! Like we need you over here, pronto."

Some of the kids laugh at what and how she says it.

Marks says, "Okay, okay let's settle down and get on with the pageant."

The kids mess up their lines. There are out of que. One comes into early another comes in to late yet another gets the words misplaced. This goes on for a while until a snack break. The kids go off into the snack room and enjoy some cookies and Kool-Aid.

Mark sits down next to Jonathan and asks, "What's the plan? There is lack of discipline and order. Wait till it's your turn to lead them in their songs."

Jonathan responds, "Patience Mark, these are orphan children. They need love, assurance and confidence in themselves."

Snack break is over and now it's time for singing practice. Jonathan doesn't make very much progress either. Jonathan leads the children in, 'O Little Town of Bethlehem,' They're not doing it right. Jonathan says, "Billy your off key. Janet you're singing it too slowly. Brian stop pulling Susan's hair. Julie please stop wiggling. Susie please don't cry. Brian stop pulling Susan's hair."

Bubba raises his hand. Jonathan says, "Yes Bubble you may use the restroom."

Jonathan continues, "Billy we are not singing 'Jingle Bells' we're singing, 'Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem.' Susie please don't slap Brian. Brian stop pulling Susan's hair."

Mark is watching all this with a big grin on his face.

Practice is over for the day and what a practice it was with no success. Jonathan and Mark decides to take a walk to reflect on the day. Mark says to Jonathan, "I'm afraid this is going to be the worst Christmas pageant ever and what surprises me is why the Boss hasn't given at least you the stuff. I mean I can understand me but the trouble you're going through surprises me. Especially since He knows you can't... well..."

Jonathan finishes Mark's statement, "Since he knows I can't sing. Mark it's got me scratching my head too."

Mark and Jonathan hears a whimpering in a back alley. They investigate and find a little girl clothed in rags. She looks at them with blind eyes and says, "Please help me, I'm hungry, I'm cold. I have noone please love me."

Jonathon bends down to her level and says, "I'm Jonathan my friend here is Mark."

She asks, "Are you an Angel?"

Jonathan answers, "Yes, child. Mark is my friend and traveling companion."

She says, "I saw your heart."

Marks asks, "What's your name?"

She answers, "Sarah."

Mark repeats to himself and to Jonathan the name of Sarah. Both feel like they should know her from before. But how? They just met her or did they?

Seeing Sarah destitute and alone. Jonathan and Mark takes her to the orphans home Introduces her to Joseph Stokes the home conductor who then takes her to Marry his wife to be cleaned up and dressed in nicer clothes.

The next day Sarah gets a part in the play. She's a little lamb in the Nativity. She does such a remarkable 'Bah' as a sheep that everyone smiles in satisfaction with the first 'bah' out of Sarah's mouth. The spirit changes for the better. Brian never pulled Susie's hair again. Billy sang on key and sang the song the group was singing. Julie stop wiggling and sang beautifully, even Bubba's bladder got stronger and stopped having to take trips to the restroom. Sarah sang the most beautifully the song 'Silent Night' there wasn't a dry eye there.

Everyone felt the presence of God feel the room.

After such a successful practice and being dismissed for the day the play was ready to be performed before the community tomorrow.

The next day the play was a success many orphans were adopted by those in the community who were at the play.

Jonathan and Mark after the play are walking around and being thankful that the assignment went so much better and discussing the events between themselves. From behind them along comes Sarah Barrett. She speaks looking right at Jonathan and Mark saying, "The Boss sent me to help. Mark I never forgot that day you helped me find my mommy at the amusement park when we got separated. My mommy became like an orphan when I was killed by that drunk driver. Thank you both for investing into the lives of those orphan kids. You gave them Christmas. They'll never forget it either. I must go now but while you are down here helping others just remember you can always visit those orphans again when the Boss permits. Merry Christmas."

Sarah vanishes back to Heaven. Mark and Jonathan get back into their car and drive to their next assignment. Jonathan says, "Mark you asked me what my favorite Christmas Carol is. It's one song from the heart."

Mark agrees, "Mine too, buddy! Mine too.

There is a moment of silence than Jonathan says, "Merry Christmas buddy!"

Mark replies, "Merry Christmas pal!"

The End