Black Nativity

Sweet little Jesus boy

Silent night

You'll get through the night

I heard that

when a mother bestows

a name on her child,

she reveals her hope.

Mine named me Langston,

like the poet, Langston Hughes.

She had great hope for me.

But whatever dreams she had before...

...they got

deferred in Baltimore.

Been me and her since my

first steps on this earth.

My daddy went MIA

after my birth.

I used to envy happy

families on the street.

After a while,

I chose not to see.

Got to stay strong

for Mom and me.

Unanswered prayers

make you weak.

This right

here is a cold, cold town

I don't know why I'm here

Or where I am going anymore

Mama tried to save me

from the street war

But I don't need no savior

Yo, I'm good

Yeah, we 'bout to ride hard

I know I'm young,

but sometimes I feel old

Things I need

can't be bought or sold

A mother's love

or a father's name

Nothing heavier than

the weight of shame

I flip my collar

so they can't see

The tears fallin'

down inside of me

Got to roll out,

got things to do

Lace up, head up,

foot down, move

Walk like you've got a purpose

I can't let them see me nervous

'Cause this right here

is the coldest town

You can't let it bring you down

This is my Christmas story.

Yo, yo, yo.

Hey, Ma.

What took you so long?

I ran into Kyle and Snoop.

What's wrong?

We've been evicted?

I thought you were working

it out with the bank.

We'd rent it back.

It's hard to get

that much together.

So we got to move?

Where will we live, Ma?

Why didn't you tell me?

I can help you.

Help me?

You got $5,000?

That's what they want before Christmas.

So you're just letting

them throw us out?

You have no idea

what I had to do

just to keep a roof over your

head for the past 15 years.

Making sure you got clothes

and you're fed. I did that!

And I'm letting them

kick us out?

It's Naima.

I need you to take

Langston for the holidays.

I'm putting him

on the 10 A.M. bus.

He gets into

Times Square at 1:15.

He'll have this number

and your address.

I hope you get this message.

Who was on the phone?

You're sending me away?

To spend the holidays

with your grandparents.

My grandparents?

I don't even know them.

They live in Harlem.

What about you?

I got to work.

We barely see each other.

So you're sending me off to strangers?

They're not strangers.

At Christmas?

No. I ain't going.

I ain't leaving you alone.

If I know you're safe,

I'll be okay.

I'll come get you

as soon as I can.

Langston,

I'm just thinking about what's best for you.

I've done everything I can.

Whatever.

This love in my heart

Is all I have left

That's not enough

But it's my best

So I'll set you free

Pray that you'll fly

And come back to me

Better than I

You've got my mother's eyes

And you've got my father's hands

And Mama can't teach you Things

you can only learn from a man

Our hearts beat in sync so

I'm gonna be off beat

Until the day

you come back to me

In the meantime

I'll be wishing on stars

Praying for change

And mending my heart

In the meantime

I'll cry myself awake

'Cause there's no testament

Without a test of faith

Faith

Faith

I look in your eyes

And I see myself

But you're so much better

Be someone else

'Cause I let you down

It's time you get up

And fight for yourself

'Cause I messed things up

You've got my attitude and

You've got your daddy's blues

I want you to see

Love can be faithful and true

Our hearts beat in sync so

I'm gonna be off beat

And hope someday

Is sooner than we think

In the meantime

We'll be wishing on stars

Praying for change

And mending my heart

In the meantime

Praying for change

And mending my heart

Not together, yet never apart

Leave the light on for me

Promise, baby, I'll be

Hush, little baby,

don't say a thing

Distance will never

come between...

...us.

Oh...

Every time I look at my mom,

I see her dilemma.

I'm the one thing standing

between her and being a winner.

Sometimes I feel

like a motherless child.

Yo.

I feel you.

When a mother bestows

a name on a child...

...it reveals her hope.

Mine named me Isaiah.

Like the prophet.

Sometimes I feel

like a motherless child.

Sometimes I feel

like a motherless child

Sometimes I feel

like a motherless child

Right now I feel

like a motherless child

A long way...

...from my home

My holidays are hollow days

With memories of my mama's face

I can see her now,

looking at me She smiles

But sometimes I feel

like a motherless child

Motherless child

Mama said she'd never leave

Motherless child

That she'd always

be there for me

Motherless child

Where are you now?

Motherless child

Hush, little baby

A long way...

...from my home

Open your eyes.

Damn.

You have reached the Cobbs

residence. We're not in now...

...but please leave us a message.

And have a blessed...

What you looking at?

Punk.

You know how to get to Harlem?

No?

My man...

I don't have money.

I'm sorry.

You know the way to Harlem?

That way?

Excuse me...

where's the phone?

The phone is for guests only.

Are you a guest?

We're checking out.

Here, use this one.

Excuse me one second.

Hey, hon.

I'm still in New York.

The conference just broke up.

I'll be home tonight.

No, don't worry.

No, of course.

I told you, I'm in New York.

Justin, your wallet!

Security!

Give me the wallet!

No, wait.

Is there a problem?

What you in here for?

I'm talking to you, youngsta.

What they got you for?

Robbery.

A bank or a store?

A wallet.

A wallet?

Did your mama forget to

give you your lunch money?

Leave my mama out of it.

I'm just saying...

...snatching wallets is weak.

For punks.

Unless you're saying

your mama raised a punk.

Know what happened to the last

fool who talked about my mama?

Tell me about it.

I stole his wallet.

Langston Cobbs.

Langston?

Like the poet?

You know it.

Reverend, I believe this is the

young man you were looking for.

You've made a mistake.

I was told to

expect my grandson...

...not some pickpocket,

so anxious to transgress that...

...rather than wait for his

grandparents as instructed...

...he'd run off and violate

the first law he could.

I ain't no damn pickpocket.

I wasn't lifting the guy's wallet,

I was giving it back.

This kid jacked my backpack

and took all my money.

I was trying to call you.

No one pressed charges.

So, we're releasing him into your custody.

Welcome to New York, young man.

Apparently I'm your grandfather.

Where are we?

125th Street.

The main street of Harlem.

Your namesake,

Langston Hughes...

...once said he would rather

be a lamppost in Harlem...

...than the governor

of Georgia.

What are you doing?

Hey, Rev.

Maria.

Are you being good?

I guess.

Merry Christmas, babe.

My grandson.

Nice to meet you.

Maria! Come on,

let's do it. Come on.

You're in the middle

of the street.

I'm saying hi to the Rev.

You're embarrassing.

Would you rather get hit

or be embarrassed?

Oh, Lord.

Look at you!

What a terrible way to start your visit.

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