A Christmas Eve Story (or would someone shut that kid's mouth?)

On Christmas Eve, would you believe that:

@ 4:30pm: We were in my in-laws church, singing Christmas Carols and trying to keep Ethan from eating a wax candle that would be lit during the last song.

@ 4:38pm: My wife's brother and sister-in-law entered with their one year old baby girl, Paige. Ethan decided that he'd like to hang out with her.

@ 4:42pm: Some guy on the stage started telling a story and Ethan decided that he'd make all sorts of noise to let us know HOW MUCH he really wanted to hang out with his cousin.

@ 4:43pm: In the row in front of us, an older couple looked back at Ethan with a condescending look of disapproval.

@ 4:45pm: Beth took Ethan out to the foyer so that he could crawl around without interrupting the people around us.

@ 4:57pm: We were in the middle of the second verse of Silent Night when it suddenly clicked. "The cattle are lowing the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes."

Well, he'd better not. Because the last thing we need in a worship service is a fussy baby.

@ 4:59pm: I head out to the foyer to see if Beth wants to switch places. When I left the auditorium, I saw Ethan crawling toward a little boy who was bubbling over with energy. His dad proceeded to tell us that they have him on speed so that he won't be so hyperactive. But even with the medication, he was too antsy for the service and so they were out here, too. Passing time until all the proper worshipers were done singing and celebrating the Virgin birth.

@ 5:09pm: The service is over and everyone begins filing out of the building, heading home for Christmas Eve festivities. I turn to Don, Beth's grandfather and joke with him that baby Jesus probably wouldn't be welcome in the service.

He laughs and says "You, know, you're right. They'd probably send him to the nursery!"

And then to children's church, youth group, and the college & career ministry. Maybe then, we'd allow him to be a part of our weekly spiritual rites- but only if he behaved well.