On Christmas Eve St George’s Anglican Church on Courts Road, Eastern Avenue, George Town, was filled with proud moms, dads, aunts and uncles, parishioners, etc. plus me, to watch a thoroughly entertaining and delightful retelling of the Christmas Story, by the young and very young.

Watched also by the newly installed Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Rt. Rev. Howard Kingsley Arthur Gregory and his lovely wife, Charmaine, we saw the children act, sing, dance and play violins plus a flute with much energy and aplomb.

The accompanist was St. George’s Choir Director and Organist, Fran McConvey, who played the piano with help from one of her sons.

There was also a delightful story, that had audience participation, by Rev. Mary Graham, who is looking after the St. George’s charge whilst the church seek a new rector.

The story centred on a mouse called Michael who was anxious to know what all the “fuss” was about over 2,000 years ago when all the humans and animals were celebrating with much singing and dancing. After being told that the baby Jesus, the son of God, was born in Bethlehem, he decided he wanted to go and see for himself even though he had a journey of many miles to make.

During his journey Michael met sheep (“baaa”), cows (“moo”), hens (“cluck cluck”) and a cat (“meow”) but because he didn’t have a present to give to the baby Jesus, they would not let him go with them and help carry him because he was so tired with walking such a long distance.

Michael did not give up and finally made it to Bethlehem and to the manger. He found a small hole in the wall of the stable where the manger lay with the baby and forced his way inside. He was astounded at the site of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, the wise men and all the animals paying homage to Jesus with all sorts of presents.

To Michael’s astonishment he saw Joseph looking directly at him and then Mary. Joseph came right up to Michael and thanked him for blocking up the hole in the wall with his body because it had been so draughty from the wind outside and it had been making the baby Jesus cold.

When Michael found his way back home an owl (“2 wit..2 woo, 2 wit…2 woo”) asked him what present he had given to Jesus? Michael replied, “I gave him the best present of all. I gave him myself.”