Chapter 3
Lil Bruh's Nativity Play
Lil Bruh and his cousins take part in the Urban Town Temple Church Christmas pageant, each playing a role in the nativity story. While the grown-ups watch proudly, Lil Bruh worries he will forget his lines as a wise man. With gentle help from his family and Ms. Judy, he finds the courage to perform. The evening ends in prayer and joyful celebration, bringing warmth and holiday spirit to everyone gathered.
As the seasons changed from autumn to winter the bruh family enters cold December days and nights.
The kids were out of school for winter break the Bruh family does their usual tradition of putting the kids in the Nativity Play at Urban Town Temple Church.
Daddy Bruh, Mommy Bruh, Aunty Roxie, Uncle Trill and Uncle Key Bruh all went to the temple to sign up the bruh family kids for the play at their Sunday School class.
They greet Miss Judy the Sunday School Teacher. "Greetings."
"We have a few parts left for the play." Miss Judy announced.
Mommy Bruh asked Lil bruh, DJ big bruh bruh and Fantasia, lil sis bruh what characters they wanted to be. Lil bruh first "Uhm, I want to be a wise man because I'm wise."
Miss Judy "A wise man it is."
Big Bruh Bruh mentions "I guess I'll be a wise man too." Finally, Fantasia lil sis bruh picks to be virgin Mary.
"O, put baby bruh as baby Jesus." Mommy fefe bruh adds.
"Of course who would be better." Miss Judy responded. "Ok, who's next?" "Me, Me, Me!" Lil Key, Keke and Aaliyah Bruh all said together.
The kids go up to Miss Judy
"I want to be a wise man like
cousin bud" lil key calls lil bruh "and cousin DJ big bruh bruh."
Then cousin Keke asks
"Who can I be Miss Judy?"
There's one last spot for girls Elizabeth, Mary's cousin" Miss Judy answered. "Great, I'll take it."
Next cousin Aaliyah "Angel for me."
"What about you Trixie? Aunty Roxie and Uncle Trill asked their baby girl. "I always see angels at night when they come to visit me before I go to sleep, so I also want to be an angel."
"Wow, I see angels too cousin Trixie." Lil bruh said in amazement.
Other kids from Lil bruh's class were also there for a part in the play and Miss Judy signed them up Colione as Caesar, Canoli as a third angel, Ray Ray, Tyrese, Man Man, Chuck and Jamal all shepherds, Mateo as Gabriel,
David as King Herod,
Kofi as Zechariah Elizabeth's husband.
There stood Alex, Kierre, Tiare, Louie, Lotus, Hibiscus, Empress, Jazzy, Zelyah, Illiana and Sakura sad because there were no more spots. Miss Judy felt bad leaving the rest of the kids out and decided to put the last group of kids in the play as shepherds and angels. "Yeh!" The kids cheered with smiles from ear to ear.
"Parents make sure to have the kids here for rehearsal from Monday to Friday at 3 O'clock pm."
The week goes by, the kids rehearse for the play that Friday Miss Judy gives the kids their costumes to take home.
Lil bruh asks Mommy and Daddy Bruh if his cousins could stay the night on Saturday so they could all ride together to Urban Town Temple Church on Sunday in Mommy and Daddy Bruh's old school classic mini van with hydraulics, rims and candy paint. "Is it ok, my queen? Daddy bruh asks Mommy Bruh "Sure, but we have to ask your Aunty Roxie, Uncle Trill and Uncle Key if it's ok."
RING, RING. Lil bruh video calls Aunty Roxie, Uncle Trill and Uncle Key. "Hey, nephew what's going on how are you doing?"
"I'm ok, I want to ask if my cousins can stay the Saturday at my house and we go to the Temple together?" "Mommy and Daddy said it's alright with them." "Oh, no, problem nephew we'll drop them off tomorrow afternoon." They all agreed. Saturday came with a winter breeze Aunty Roxie gathered the kids and dropped them off at Mommy Bruh's house. Sudden joy as the cousins arrive. They immediately start to play and put on their costumes to rehearse for the play one last time. "Don't mess up your costumes kids.
Hours went by "Dinner will be here in a few." Mommy Bruh reminded the kids while she orders a large veggie pizza. Giggles and laughs from the room Mommy Bruh peeks her head in checking on the kids catching a sneak peek. "We come with gifts of gold, myrr and frankincense." Ding, Dong. The door bell rings. "Pizzas here."
"Yeh!" the kids rushed to the dinner table. Mommy Bruh gives each kid two pieces of pizza including bruh bruh, daddy bruh and she shared with baby bruh.
Mommy Bruh asks "Are y'all excited about the play tomorrow?" "I think it's a positive thing."
"Tell me what you all learned from the Nativity Story?"
"Baby Jesus was very special." lil key answered.
"His Mommy was very special too. Lil bruh added.
"We learned that angels are real." Trixie, Keke and Aaliyah commented.
"I learned that family is important." Fantasia Lil sis bruh acknowledged and big bruh bruh expressed how he believed in miracles now.
"That's wonderful kids." As she looks at the clock ."It's getting late kids, let's pit the dishes away and get ready for bed we have to get up early tomorrow and head to the temple for the play." "Ok." The Bruh family gets ready for bed take baths, brush their teeth and put their pj's on. Mommy and Daddy Bruh say a little prayer and tuck the kids in bed.
"Cockadoodle doo" goes the special rooster alarm clock.
"Time to wake up." "Are y'all ready for today's adventure?"
"For sure" "Ooof, course lil bruh" "You already know" said the cousins. "I stay ready" big bruh bruh says jokingly. They put on their special church clothes and met Mommy and Daddy Bruh in the living room. She calls Papa, Aunty Roxie, Uncle Key, Uncle Eli and Granny Divine letting them know their on the way and to meet them at the Temple. Mommy Bruh grabs the keys and the bruh family crowded in the the luxury mini van singing songs all the way there.
Oh, what a winter wonder day perfect for the Nativity Play. The Bruh family all meet at the Urban Town Temple Church.
The kids immediately go to Sunday School classroom to meet Miss Judy. My cousin Trixie bounced up and down in her angel wings. The church glowed with gold and red ribbons, pine branches used for the manger and props for the play. Rows of pews were filled with families—Granny Divine, Papa, Mommy and Daddy Bruh and all my aunts and uncles. Uncle Key Bruh and Uncle Eli Bruh sat right up front, waving and grinning every time I peeked out from behind the curtain.
Ms. Judy, our Sunday School teacher, clapped her hands. “Alright, little stars it's showtime!
Miss Judy walks out and introduce the kids "let's clap and give thanks for the kids they worked so hard on this play, Now enjoy."
I tugged at my wise man's robe and felt my heart beat fast. I wanted to remember all my lines and do my best. "Bruh, im nervous." Next to me, Bruh Bruh and cousin Lil Key encouraged me "Don't be nervous. "Keke and Fantasia looked in the mirror behind the curtain making sure their costumes fit right.
Trixie, Canoli and Aaliyah tugged at their wings and sparkly halos on their heads.
The room went silent, even though my tummy still fluttered. Ms. Judy leaned down and whispered, “Remember, it's not about being perfect—just tell the story with love.”
The piano played a slow, gentle song. The curtains opened,
Mateo as Gabriel approached Zechariah to give him the news of a miraculous birth in Jerusalem then Mary in Nazareth.
Prince and lil sis Fantasia played their roles as Joseph and Mary, along with Mateo as Gabriel "You will be bare a son." Archangel Gabriel announced. Mary and Joseph go to visit cousins Zechariah and Elizabeth and John the Baptist the role of Jamal, they stayed by Mary's side during her pregnancy. One night an angel visited Joseph in his dream telling him that Mary was really pregnant.
Later, Colione as Caesar forced Mary and Joseph to leave Nazareth. So they move to Bethlehem.
Mary woke up in pain one day "It's time." Hours later a baby boy was born as a King."
Word got around by the angels Trixie, Canoli and Aaliyah.
The shepherds Ray Ray, Man Man, Chuck,Tyrese, Alex, Kierre and Louie heard the news rushed to the stable.
Then the 3 maji wise men traveled on donkeys following a star in the sky to Jerusalem and asked King Herod (David's role)where the newborn king is then Bethlehem.
When it was my turn, I stepped forward with Bruh Bruh and Cousin Lil Key. We carried colorful boxes full of gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. My voice wobbled at first. Lil bruh clears his throat. "We come with gifts for the newborn king," I said. My words came out strong and loud. Ms. Judy smiled from backstage; I felt proud.
Canoli, Trixie and Aaliyah, joined by Illiana, Sakura, Lotus, Hibiscus, Empress and Tiare this time all, twirled their angel wings, voices soft and sweet, “Peace on earth!”
The peace didn't last long when King Herod played by David found out he could be replaced by the baby Jesus and ordered his army to find the newborn king so called Messiah. The angel in Joseph's dream appeared again warned Mary and Joseph to take the baby to Egypt this time.
All the cousins and other Urban Town neighborhood kids played their parts.
The grown-ups snapped pictures and wiped happy tears.
Clapping their hands applauding the children. Miss Judy thanks everyone for coming.
The kids run to their parents excitement. "Good Job" "That was beautiful."
Finally, Minister John stood up with a deep, gentle voice. “Let us pray. Thank you for another day and for these precious children and the joy they bring. Bless our families that are gathered here tonight may we all have safe travels.”
Pastor Jahromi Rome clapped his hands. “Look at God!”
First Lady Eva laughed, her smile bright. “Won’t He do it!”
We all laughed and hugged, then lined up for fish, rice, beans and hot cocoa downstairs. I felt that happy, glowy feeling that happens when everyone you love is close, and your heart is full.
Uncle Key gave me a high five. “You did good, Lil Bruh.”
Uncle Eli ruffled my hair. “Real proud of you, champ.”
The whole Bruh Family gathered for a picture by the manger.
Lil sis giggled, Baby Bruh yawned, and the lights twinkled above us, bright and colorful. I thought about how it felt to be brave, together, and part of a story much bigger than me. Under those warm lights, surrounded by laughter, I knew every holiday would bring another adventure.