I'll never forget the first time I saw Katie. It was in the final moments of the Christmas musical being presented at our church. In the closing scene, the actor portraying Jesus was to descend from his throne and walk slowly to the front of the stage. Everything was moving right on schedule. As the music swelled to a crescendo, our pseudo-Jesus stretched forth his arms to the people in the audience as the choir with lifted voices sang, "Come unto Me! Come unto Me! All ye who labor, come unto Me!"

There was a powerful anointing in the church as the musical reached the carefully rehearsed climax. Several actors and actresses had been placed strategically in the audience and the script called for them to leave their seats at predetermined times and go forward in response to the invitation being issued by Jesus. The pre-set musical cues were perfectly timed to allow each person to climb the stairs up to the stage and receive a blessing from the man playing Jesus. What could possibly go wrong?

As the director, I was seated in the front row and I anxiously watched the final scene being played out before me. Everything was going just as planned. There went the first actor onto the stage to receive his blessing. As he returned to his seat, the second came forward right in time with the music—onto the stage and off of the stage. The timing was perfect and I breathed a sigh of relief.

And then to my utter amazement, an unknown woman rose from her seat. She came running down the center aisle and darted up the stairs onto the stage. Throwing herself down at Jesus' feet, she cried out, "Oh Jesus, please save me! My life is such a mess! I need You."

Although the choir seemed momentarily confused by what was happening, they continued on with the powerful song without missing a beat. The young man portraying Jesus stayed completely in character and you could almost sense the anointing come upon him. He reached down and helped the anguished woman to her feet and wrapped her in his arms, holding her briefly as she sobbed against his shoulder. Then he placed his hands upon her head and I could see his lips moving as he prayed a blessing upon her.

The anthem was rapidly drawing to a close and I really had no idea what was going to happen next. But I had no need to worry because "Jesus" had everything under control. With the woman's hand in his, he gently assisted her down the stairs from the stage and they walked together up the aisle to the back of the church. I'm not sure that those in the audience even realized what was taking place right before their eyes.

As the congregation rose to its feet giving the choir a standing ovation, I quickly left the sanctuary, eager to meet our unexpected addition to the Christmas musical. Katie was there in the lobby with tears still streaming down her face. The miracle of Christmas became a reality as she prayed with me and received Jesus as her Savior. Christ the Lord was born that day in her heart. The Lord had given our church a wonderful Christmas gift—a precious soul added to the kingdom of God—a woman named Katie.