Everyone ready to bring the story of Christmas to the masses? ;)

Mike: (Shrugs) Yeah. Katie's havin' fun. She won't stop bein' a sheep. ;) :p

(Katie bleats. :D)

Peter: I think she's cute! I'm ready...and so's Jordan! :)

(Jordan gurgles. :) )

Micky: I wanna see Broadway-worthy performances here! *gets smacked by Lauren; eyes cross and he falls over onto the couch*

Lauren: *rolls her eyes* Quit acting, Mick. :P

Micky: *peeks an eye open* How'd you know?

Lauren: Educated guess. ;)

Davy: (Grins at the twins) You kids ready to be angels? ;)

Little Mick and Shelly: YEAH! :D

Micky: *sticks a finger in one ear* There goes my hearing. :P ;)

(We open backstage at the pageant, the next night. It's opening night...and the backstage area is total chaos. Adults try to get kids into costumes. Kids who are already in costume run all over the place, playing hide-and-seek amid the scenery. Jordan wails; his mother tries to calm him. Katie runs around her parents in circles, bleating to her heart's content. The Three Wise Men show their buddies how they taught themselves to do inappropriate things with some of the props. ;) )

Mike: Man, where's Micky?

Emma: Yeah, isn't he supposed to be in charge?

Davy: (Rolls his eyes) Figahs 'e'd be nowhere in sight. :p

Lauren: *puts her arms out* I haven't seen him *checks her watch* since we got here. :P ;)

(A bunch of older girl angels are arguing over who is going to be the Queen of their school holiday dance. ;) )

Katie: (Tugs on Lauren) Aun' Laur'n, where's Shelly 'n Mick?

Lauren: *kneels down to Katie* They're getting into their angel costumes. *glances up at the others* I practically had to talk them OUT of wearing the costumes all day the last few days. :P ;)

Mike: Katie didn't want to get outta her sheep costume last night or this mornin'. :p

Emma: (Sighs) She's cute, but the constant "Baas" have gotten a bit old. :p

Lauren: *pats Katie's head* Understandable. :P

Valerie: (Gently shakes Jordan and sighs) I think he's just scared. He's not used to being in such a big crowd.

*There's footsteps coming towards them...running footsteps. The twins burst in and run straight for Lauren, proudly and loudly proclaiming "Angels! Angels!"* ;) :D

Davy: 'Ere they are. :)

Katie: Shelly! Mick! Ang'ls! :D

(Chrissy runs after them...and Peter runs after HER.)

Peter: Chrissy, you haven't finished getting into your costume yet!

Chrissy: (She only wears the robe) I'm sorry, Peter, but I thought I lost them!

Lauren: *as the kids jump up and down on either side of her* Okay, you two! Calm down! I'm very happy for both of you! *chuckles* ;)

Mrs. Schroder: For crying out loud, where's our director? Where's his crew? I haven't seen any of them since this afternoon. :p X

Lauren: *shakes her head* I wish I knew! :P

Davy: Great. We 'ave the kids and lost their fathah. :p

Mike: Anyone checked the rafters recently? ;)

*Lauren groans.* :P

Peter: I know where Micky is! He, Father Pelt, and a couple of other guys went to pick a tree and work on the falling star. :)

Mrs. Schroder: Thank goodness they didn't let my brother out unsupervised. ;) :p

Lauren: Mick's helping to pick out a tree?

Peter: Mr. Brown thought it would add atmosphere to the stage. :)

Lauen: *glances around* I'm not so sure we'd have enough room for it. ;) :P

Mrs. Schroder: I'm sure they could find some little pink aluminum thing from a store. :)

Lauren: *makes a face* Uck. :P

Emma: A PINK ALUMINUM TREE? :p

Mike: In a PAGEANT? This is about the story of the birth of Christ, not how tacky Christmas decorations are nowadays. :p

Mrs. Schroder: It was just a suggestion.

Mike: It was a lousy one.

Emma: Miiiiiikkkkeeeeee..... :p

Mrs. Schroder: EXCUSE me? X(

*Suddenly, male voices are heard, along with some rustling. Micky's voice comes through loud and clear.*

Micky: *as the guys come closer; he holds the trunk of the tree, while the other two have the middle and top* I'm telling you, this'll be perfect. Nice and big, they're be able to see it from way it the back!

Father Pelt: Um, isn't it a bit...large?

Micky: Naahhhh! It'll look GREAT decorated! :D

Male Voice: Where are we going to put it?

Father Pelt: And how will we afford to buy enough decorations to cover it?

Micky: I've got PLENTY of decorations we can use. We'll put it off to one side, in the corner, in the back. It'll be perfect!

*The curtain parts, and Micky comes through first, holding the tree trunk. Everyone onstage watches, wide eyed. The tree is at least ten feet.*

Lauren: Oh, my goodness...

Mrs. Schroder: Good LORD! That thing wouldn't fit in front of the church, much less onstage! :o

Mike: Mick, where the hell did you get that?

Emma: Mike, language around the kids.

Mike: The Wise Men are sayin' worse. :p

Micky: *looks at Mike like he has two heads* Out in the woods, where else?

Chrissy: Why are the roots still attached?

Micky: *straight-faced* We had a slight problem. :P

Man: (It's the man in the yellow sweater) Someone forgot the axe! :p

Father Pelt: Charles, I thought YOU were supposed to bring it!

Charles: I feel like an idiot. :(

Micky: So? I thought Father Pelt was bringing it.

Mrs. Schroder: (Rolls her eyes) Can't you boys do anything right?

Mike: Hey, lay off them! They made one mistake with the tree, ok?

Mrs. Schroder: ONE mistake? :p

Father Pelt: Sis, please contain your sarcasm. It's Christmas.

Charles: Um, what do we do now?

Mike: First of all, I'd say either find a way to lose the roots or plant the da...darn thing. :p

Katie: (Runs to the tree) BIIIIIIGGGGG tree! :D

Micky: *glances at Mike* Let’s take it out back. I'll saw off the roots.

Father Pelt: I think I have a chainsaw in the shed out back.

Micky: Perfect! :D ;)

Lauren: *groans* Oh, good Lord. :P

Charles: Could we lose some of the limbs, too? My wife will kill me if I get any stickier, and I don't think we need the kids to get covered with sap, either.

Micky: I'll do what needs to be done to it, okay? ;)

Mrs. Schroder: Which reminds me, we're starting in an hour. We've got to get the kids rounded up.

Lauren: I'll help out.

Mike: We'd better get in the audience, or we'll lose our seats.

Davy: The place is packed!

Valerie: Maybe Jordan would calm down if he had a warm bottle and was changed. :)

Mrs. Schroder: The bathrooms are off to the left, near the dressing room.

Chrissy: I've got to finish getting dressed!

Peter: I'm going to go back out there and lend Mr. Schroder a hand with the music. :)

Mrs. Schroder: Ask him for my favorite rendition of "Jingle Bells," the tinkly one. He'll know what you mean. ;)

Peter: (Scratches his head) Well, ok...

Micky: Let’s go trim a tree, my good men! :D ;) (Father Pelt, Micky, and Charles take the tree out back)

Emma: Ok, Katie, you stay with Chrissy and Aunt Valerie and Mrs. Schroder.

Mike: And be good, cowgirl. Don't run into the scenery, and only "baaa" when the adults say to "baaa." ;)

Katie: 'Kay. (Tugs at Emma) Mommy?

Emma: Yes, sweetie?

Katie: (Gives her a kiss on the cheek) Love ya. :)

Emma: (Blushes) I do too, honey. :">

Katie: (Hugs her father's leg) Love ya, Daddy. :D

Mike: Yeah, I love ya too, cowgirl. ;) :">

Davy: Ok, folks. You kids be good for your mum and Aunt Val. :)

Mike: (Grins at the twins) Yeah, don't tear the joint apart. ;)

Little Mick: We be good! :D

*Shelly nods.* :)

(Mike, Emma, and Davy head back down to the main church area. Katie turns to the adults.)

Katie: When sheepie? Wanna be sheepie! :D

Mrs. Schroder: Soon, dear, in about an hour. :)

Chrissy: (Looks at herself) I'd better go finish getting into my costume. (She returns to the dressing rooms) :">

Mrs. Schroder: I wonder if we should check on your husband and my brother and Charles and see how the tree's coming. :p

Lauren: Maybe we should. Knowing Mick, ANYTHING could be happening out there. :P ;)

Katie: See BIIIIIIGGGG tree! :D

Lauren: That's an understatement. :P ;)

Mrs. Schroder: (Sighs) I guess it couldn't hurt to bring the children along, at least until Mrs. Thorkleson feeds her son.

Lauren: *nods* Yeah, it should be okay.

*Lauren, Mrs. Schroder, and the kids head out to the back There's a permanent wooden "tent" that covers most of the area. Micky, Charles, and Father Pelt are tending to the tree off to one side...or rather, Micky is tending. The other two are trying to stay AWAY from it. The entire area is filled with the loud sound of the chain saw.*

Katie: Lotsa tree! :D

Mrs. Schroder: Too much tree. We could sell boughs at the food stand and have enough leftover to decorate the church and half the neighborhood. :p

Little Mick: Loud noise!

*Shelly covers her ears.* :P

Lauren: This is insane. Then again, he DID bring home a seven-foot tree. :P ;)

Mrs. Schroder: I'm sure my brother was no help, and Charles is just wishy-washy. :p

Lauren: And Mick has the "larger is better" complex. :P ;)

Father Pelt: (Grins; yells over the noise as he and Charles trot over to the women and kids) If this doesn't put the spirit of Christmas in the congregation, NOTHING will. ;) :D

Charles: I think we'd better get inside. My hearing's getting weird in this one. (Wiggles a finger in his left ear)

Lauren: At least for the kids' sakes. *rolls her eyes* We're better off NOT watching Mick, anyway.

Katie: Tree come too?

Father Pelt: When it can fit inside, little one. :)

Katie: Me sheepie! (Proceeds to bleat again) :D

Father Pelt: Well then, sheepie, the tree will come indoors when it can fit. It ate too much and is feeling very full. ;)

*Lauren mutters something that sounds like "little full, lotta sap."* ;)

Mrs. Schroder: (Puts her hands over her ears) I think we'd better get the kids indoors, before none of us can hear anything anyone's saying, anyway. :p

*Everyone, except Micky, who continues using the chain saw and is now beginning to sing "Run Run Rudolph," goes inside.* ;)

(Cut to a bit later; it's now right before the performance. The camera rests on the stage. Chrissy peeps out. The church is jammed full; people stand in the back. Mrs. Brown and Ms. Martin do brisk business at the food table. Mr. Schroder and Peter sit around the piano. Mr. Schroder plays "Joy to the World"; Peter accompanies him on his banjo.)

*In the back, right-hand corner of the stage, an extra curtain is pulled around. Occasional movement is seen against the curtain.* ;)

(The kids are slightly calmer backstage. The older kids are still in pockets on their own; the younger kids gather around the adults. The Wise Men play with the pulley mechanisms. ;) )

*Lauren leans against a wall in the back, keeping at least one eye on the "moving curtain" at all times.* ;) :P

(Mr. Schroder and Peter switch to "Christmastime Is Here" from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as Mrs. Schroder raps on the wall with her clipboard.)

Mrs. Schroder: Ok, everyone, come to order!

(No one listens.)

Mrs. Schroder: (Louder) Excuse me, folks, come to order!

Lauren: *shakes her head and taps Mrs. Schroder's arm* May I? ;)

Mrs. Schroder: Please.

*Lauren gives off a two-finger whistle, getting everyone's attention.* ;)

Lauren: *grins* Mick taught me that. ;)

Mrs. Schroder: (Wiggles a finger in her ear) Quite...effective, dear. (Lifts her clipboard) Now, you all know when and where you go on?

(Chorus of "yes"'s.)

Father Pelt: Lucy, may I speak?

Mrs. Schroder: (Sighs) If you insist.

Father Pelt: (Smiles and takes Mrs. Schroder's place in front of the crowd) Now, many years ago, when I was a lad, my closest friend, a young man not much older than some of you, was wondering about Christmas. He liked the festivities, but felt a bit depressed by the "grab, grab, grab" that seemed to go on around him (eyes stray briefly towards his sister)...and his friends were NOT helping. :p ;)

Mrs. Schroder: (Mutters) He came to ME for advice. What was I supposed to tell him, that he was being blockhead because he didn’t get any Christmas cards? :p

Father Pelt: (Nudges Mrs. Schroder) Anyway, he and I bought a lovely little tree for our school pageant to give it some holiday spirit...and instead of thanking him for bringing a nice, if small, specimen of God's beauty into school, they made fun of him for not purchasing one of the huge aluminum trees that were "in" then.

Mrs. Schroder: That stupid tree you two bought looked like it was going to crumble any second. It was MUCH better when we decorated it. :p

Father Pelt: (Nudges his sister a bit harder) He felt terrible. He asked if there was anyone who knew what Christmas meant...and this is what I told him then, and have told the cast of every Christmas pageant I’ve worked on since then.

Father Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'".

Father Pelt: I want all of you to remember what I told my friend tonight, as you, too, bring the story of God and his birth to life. Christmas isn't about trees, or candy, or presents, or even pageants. It's about the love we show each other, just like the Wise Men, angels, and sheopards showed love to one tiny baby on a night thousands of years ago. (Smiles) Now, go out there and have a wonderful time. :)

Mrs. Schroder: Amen. (Nods at the stage) Ok, everyone, it's time for the angels to line up for the first song and the sheopard to bring out the sheep. :)

Katie: Yay! Me sheepie! (She runs around, bleating :D)

*The twins get in line and wave at Lauren with big grins.* :D ;)

Mrs. Schroder: Where are Mr. Brown and our director?

Lauren: Last I knew, Mick was still decorating the tree.

Mrs. Schroder: We're going to need them to work the star! Hey! (Turns to the Wise Men, who are tying the ropes in knots) Cut that out! Get away from there and get in position! (Groans) Next year, we're going to do this as an animated special. ;) :p

*Lauren chuckles.* ;)

Mrs. Schroder: Could you possibly get your husband and Mr. Brown backstage? The curtain will be opening in a few minutes, and we really are going to need them here. :p ;)

Lauren: I'll see what I can do. *eases her way over to the curtain and slips behind it. There's a moment of fuss behind the curtain. Something hits the curtain, and Lauren finally emerges dragging Micky and Charles behind her.*

Micky: Babe, I wasn't done yet! :P

Lauren: You're done, Mick, trust me.

Charles: We're sorry, Mrs. Dolenz, but the we needed to finish the tinsel!

Mrs. Schroder: You're NEEDED to work the backstage, before the Wise Men do anything else to the works.

Charles: Wouldn't it be easier to just make a few hand motions to tell them what to do where... (does said motions)

Mrs. Schroder: No. :p

Micky: *side glances Charles* You've never been a director before, have you? *shakes his head as if to clear it* Just come with me. *motions for him to follow towards the mechanics room* :P

Charles: I was the director for a school pageant once... (follows Micky to the mechanics room)

(Cut to the stage, where Sarah handles Jordan, who is now a bit happier. Chrissy comes out next. "Christmastime Is Here" continues under their words.)

Chrissy: Hello, Mary.

Sarah: Hello, good Angel.

Chrissy: I bring you...um...oh, tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. (Awkward pause as she tries to remember her lines)

Sarah: (Out the corner of her mouth) "For unto us..." :p

Chrissy: Oh, yeah! (Out loud) For unto you a child is born, which is Christ the savior.

(The angels trot out and sing the vocals for "Christmastime Is Here." After they finish, the shepards come out, and we get a montage of "Away In a Manger," "Joy to the World," and "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" and various reaction shots. Jordan sleeps away. Sarah tries to smile like a gentle mother, but she's really beaming because she remembered all her lines. Katie bleats over the music. Chrissy looks a bit embarrassed over her earlier stumbles, but feels better when she leads the twins over to give "Mary and Joseph" their present for the baby. :) )

(Father Pelt smiles proudly backstage; Mrs. Schroder just looks relieved. Mike, Emma, Davy, and Valerie applaud in the audience. :D)

*Lauren looks to the ceiling and mouths "Thank you."* :)

(Mrs. Brown and Ms. Martin stop fussing over the food long enough to applaud the kids. :) )

*Against the backdrop, a bright star lowers to rest "in the sky."*

(The kids lean in a final tableau as the music ends and the curtain falls. Mr. Schroder and Peter reprise "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" as all of the kids come onstage for their bows, followed by Mrs. Schroder and Father Pelt.)

Father Pelt: Why don't we bring our director onstage, too? He brought us our gorgeous tree (indicates the huge tree near the stage; even trimmed down and decorated, it's still a good eight feet high) and did all the work on the star and the blocking. :)

*There's a sudden yelp from the back, then a crash. Micky comes out on stage, grinning sheepishly.* ;)

(He's followed by an even more sheepish Charles; Mrs. Brown rolls her eyes at his embarrassed expression.)

Mrs. Schroder: Take a bow, Mr. Director! ;)

Father Pelt: You earned it! ;)

*Micky bows dramatically, then waves...and waves...and waves, until Lauren grabs his arm and pulls him back.* ;)

(The curtain closes, and everyone gathers around Mrs. Schroder and Father Pelt.)

Father Pelt: That was wonderful, children! I don't think I'm mincing words when I say that was the best Christmas pagent we've ever had here! :D

(Everyone cheers. :D)

Mrs. Schroder: Ok, everyone to the dressing room. Leave your costumes in the boxes there. My brother and I will sort them out tonight.

(Mike, Peter, Valerie, Davy, and Emma walk backstage; the kids all run to them, followed by Lauren.)

Katie: Mommy! Daddy!

Emma: Hi, honey. :)

Mike: (Lifts Katie) You were a good sheepie, Cowgirl. You had Daddy fooled for a minute. ;)

Katie: Me good sheepie! (She bleats a bit) :D

Emma: But enough for now. Now, we just want you to be our Katie again. :)

Katie: 'Kay. :)

Davy: (Leans over the twins) Did you kids have fun bein' angels? ;)

Little Mick: Lotsa fun! :D

Shelly: We good angels! :)

Valerie: (Takes Jordan from Sarah, smiling) He passed right out. I guess he just needed everything to quiet down a bit.

Sarah: He was really good, Valerie! The singing onstage didn't even bother him! :)

Chrissy: I forgot a couple of lines in the beginning. :">

Peter: That's ok, Chrissy.

Sarah: You remembered the rest of them! :D

Valerie: And you did a nice job with the music. You and the kids sounded groovy. :)

Chrissy: Really? :D

Peter: (Smiles and ruffles her hair) Really. :)

Mike: Hey, where's Mick?

Davy: Probably fiddlin' with that mutant tree again. ;)

Lauren: *groans* Oh, great. *suddenly, there's bright, multi-colored lights coming from the stage*

Mrs. Schroder: What IS that?

Father Pelt: I hope it won't damage the stage. I just had the curtains put in not long ago. :p

Micky: *comes back stage, staggering* Those are some BRIGHT lights! *Lauren stops him as he continues blinking rapidly* :P ;)

Mike: Ok, Mick, what are you doin' out there?

Mrs. Schroder: Why don't you just tell people if you want them to leave? ;) :p

Micky: *shakes his head* Some of the bulbs on the tree were really dim, so I tried fixing them, and I kinda got blinded. :P

Mike: Kinda? :p

Davy: Maybe we'd bettah 'ead out, before you try foolin' with anythin' else. :p

Lauren: Good idea. :P

Charles: (Grins) I can't believe I worked with real rock singers! My daughter and son listened to your album all summer long. :D

Mike: We're hard at work on the next one.

Emma: (Mutters) Too hard.

Davy: Why don't we go celebrate this at Millie's? It should be late enough that we can avoid the crowds wanting autographs. ;)

Charles: I've got to get home, anyway. My wife is probably waiting for me. (Grins shyly) I was glad to meet you, though. You're all really good people, even if you do like big trees! :D

Micky: Thanks...I think. :-/

Mike: We won't be out for long, though. We've got to get Katie home and in bed, and I want to go back to the studio to work on editing some of the songs we recorded a few weeks ago.

Peter: Michael, we could do that tomorrow. Why don't we spend tonight with the kids? :)

Mike: 'Cause we've got to get this done if we want a follow-up to this album to come out anytime soon.

Emma: Honey, it wouldn't kill you to spend some time with your family, instead of in the studio. :p

Mike: But...

Micky: *still blinking* Fun now, work later! :P ;)

Father Pelt: (Puts a hand on Mike's shoulder) I know how you must want to follow up your success, but your child is only young once. I suspect your songs will keep. ;) :)

Davy: No arguements, Michael. Come on. Let's go get some cheesecake. ;)

Valerie: I'm sure Millie would be more than happy to provide a few for our newest stars. ;)

(Jordan yawns. Katie bleats a bit before doing some yawning of her own. :) I-) )

*The twins yawn simultaneously and giggle tiredly at each other.* ;)

Valerie: (Chuckles) Let's go, before we're all partying on the floor. ;)

(They head out. Mrs. Schroder takes her husband's arm and walks out with him, Charles, and Mrs. Brown. Father Pelt is the last one in the church. He stands in the middle of the main area, looking at the stage, with it's now-empty nativity scene and star and big, brightly lit tree, and smiles. He goes to a light switch and turns off the light, leaving only the tree lit, and leaves himself. As he leaves, the rope for the star snaps, and it falls onto the nativity. We hear a pop, a crack, and the lights on the tree go out as the camera fades out on the scene.)