Unto us a Child is Born

Jimmy Barclay has produced a short radio scene about the angels appearing to the shepherds. Pleased with his school project, he asks to turn it into a live Kids Radio presentation of the entire Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Jason and Jack agree, even though Christmas is only a week and a half away and Jimmy has not yet assembled his cast.

Jimmy recruits his reluctant family. George is busy serving as interim pastor, Mary is close to delivering her baby, and Donna objects to playing a bratty, self-centered innkeeper’s daughter. Jimmy argues that Mary’s pregnancy suits the role and promises to rewrite Donna as a sweet, understanding character. The Barclays agree after he assures them the production will require little time.

Katrina Shanks volunteers to assist Eugene with the technical work. It is her first Christmas as a Christian, and she wants the celebration of Christ’s birth to become real and special to her. She and Eugene still describe themselves as friends, but their awkward tenderness is growing. When Katrina mentions that she plans to buy Eugene a gift, he panics because he has not considered giving her one. Connie suggests a present Katrina needs, while Katrina quietly shops for Eugene.

Rehearsals expose the difficulty of Jimmy’s ambitious plan. Pages turn at the wrong moment, actors drift from their microphones, sound effects arrive out of order, church business interrupts George, and tired Mary needs frequent rest. Jimmy tries to control every detail, but most of the cast keeps finding Christmas errands to run. Despite the confusion, they prepare scenes of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the innkeeper’s family offering the stable.

On Christmas Eve, Eugene and Katrina walk through the busy streets after finishing their shopping. Katrina delights in the warmth and fellowship surrounding Jesus’ birth. When she asks what Christmas means to Eugene, he speaks warmly about sharing the season with a close friend like her, then retreats into nervous formality and suggests that they return for the performance.

The live broadcast proceeds until Mary, acting the pain of childbirth, begins experiencing real labor. Donna notices her pale face and tries to bring water, but Jimmy is too focused on the program to understand. As Mary’s scripted pleas become real, George finally realizes what is happening. He, Mary, and Donna rush to the hospital while the remaining actors continue improvising on the air.

Jimmy is horrified that his cast has disappeared during a live program. Eugene and Katrina step into the roles of Joseph and Mary, and Jimmy takes over the soundboard. At the hospital, the real Mary is hurried into a delivery room. In the studio, Katrina and Eugene tenderly portray Mary and Joseph welcoming Jesus. Eugene’s emotions make the scene more than acting, though he accidentally calls Mary by Katrina’s name.

The broadcast survives its near disaster, and Jack tells Jimmy that he should be proud of accomplishing something so difficult. Jimmy’s first concern afterward is reaching the hospital to see his mother. There he meets his healthy new brother, Stuart Reed Barclay. George, Mary, Jimmy, and Donna thank God for the child’s new life while the newborn sleeps.

Outside Whit’s End, Eugene and Katrina exchange gifts and discover that each has chosen a Bible for the other. Katrina asks Eugene to read his, and he promises he will, at first because it comes from her. She hugs him with tears in her eyes. After her car pulls away, Eugene calls after her, too late for her to hear, and finally says the words he has been unable to express: “I love you.”