Christmas Worship / 普連土学園でのクリスマス礼拝

　This morning we had the first of our special Christmas worships. The 7th grade students did their nativity pageant. It was really wonderful. The students on stage did really well with their gestures, and the other student sang and narrated in big, beautiful voices. In Ireland, in my kindergarten students always do a nativity play at Christmas. I was the narrator because my voice was loud and clear, and I wasn't very good at acting. It was a lot of fun.

　My strongest childhood memory is of that night. It was really cold and icy. It wasn't snowing but there was a lot of ice. We drove very slowly and carefully to the village hall. It was so cold, even inside, that I could see my breath when I breathed out. I went backstage to get ready and I realised I forgot my script. I was so panicked so I ran to tell my mother. She said I shouldn't worry because the teacher would arrive soon and she would have a copy of the script.


　But it got later and later and the teacher didn't come to the hall. We started the performance but she never came. The performance was fine - I could remember al my lines so actually I didn't need my script. My friends and I had so much fun - and we ate too much candy and drank too much coke. It was great. But, my teacher still hadn't come to the hall. Soon after we were told that she had been in a car accident. She had a lot of injuries. She had to stay in hospital for a long time, but she was ok. I'll never forget that night for many different reasons, both good and bad.