Black Nativity Page #2

Oh, you poor thing.

Fortunately, Officer Mac is

a good friend of the church.

It never hurts to have a friend

on the force in case of these...

...misunderstandings.

We say grace before

we eat in this house.

Let us pray.

Lord, bless this food to our

use and us to Thy service.

And make us ever mindful of the

needs of others for Christ's sake.

Lord Jesus, today we are mindful

of the needs of this youth...

...our grandson, whom Thou,

in Thy infinite wisdom, has sent to us.

And be he troubled

and in need of guidance...

...or simply a belt to hold

his loose-fitting pants up...

...allow us the fortitude and

patience to set him straight.

For Thou art ever bountiful.

Father God...

...lead this boy not into temptation,

but deliver him from evil.

And allow him to

walk in Thy steps

down the path of

righteousness...

...and with Your help,

obedience.

For Thine is

the kingdom and the power

and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Oh, so...

...Langston...

...to what,

besides heavenly grace,

do we owe the pleasure

of this visit?

She's working over Christmas.

Where is she working these days?

She tends bar Monday through Thursday,

and does checkout weekends.

She used to work for the city,

but they laid her off.

Does she have

anyone to help her...

...or are you

the man of the house?

You guys don't know a thing about us,

do you?

No fault of ours.

Then whose fault is it?

May I be excused?

Clear your plate.

Just let him be.

What do you find so amusing?

This place,

it's like a museum up here.

A black people museum.

I like to remember

where we've come from...

...and what it's taken

to get us where we are.

Read the engraving...

...in here.

"To C.C. from M.L.K."

Yes.

That's Martin Luther King.

Yes.

My father,

your great-grandfather...

...was in King's

inner circle.

Look here.

He marched with him in Selma...

...Birmingham...

...and Memphis.

I was with him every time.

That's me there.

The year that King died...

...he asked a few

of us children...

...to come speak at

his church in Atlanta.

I was the youngest.

Dr. King felt I spoke so eloquently,

he sent me this watch.

This will be yours someday.

I know this is...

...a big adjustment for you.

For all of us.

But I want you to know that

we're very happy

to have you here.

This is a girl's room,

so I hope you don't mind.

What went down with

you guys and my mom?

Why don't you talk?

She ran away.

For a long time,

we thought she'd come back, but...

...she couldn't forgive us.

Why?

What'd you do to her?

I think you'll need pajamas, right?

Let's see what we have.

These should do for tonight.

If you leave your clothes out,

I'll wash them.

I'm sorry your bag was stolen.

Good night.

The number

you dialed is not in service.

Please check the number

and dial again.

Hey, it's Naima.

Leave me a message.

Mom, it's me.

I'm in New York with them.

I tried the house and the phone was cut off.

What's going on?

When are you coming to get me?

Please don't leave me

with these people.

We're in this together.

I'll find a way to help

you out with everything.

I love you.

Call me.

What are you doing in here?

Trying to call my mom.

But our phone was cut off.

Want to know what's going on?

We're about to lose our home.

They're going to put us

out on the street.

You got this tight crib,

and all this stuff...

...and she's struggling.

Why can't you help her?

What kind of parents are you?

We're the

broken-hearted kind.

Silent night

Holy night

All is calm

Pregnant.

Practically homeless.

What some would call

a ghetto statistic.

I didn't want that

for your mother.

Give this to them.

Sleep in...

...heavenly peace

Sleep in...

...heavenly peace

Thank you.

Silent night

Holy night

Sleeping in...

...the streets

Sleeping in...

...the streets

I ain't try'na be philosophical

But it's not logical

While some folks freezin'

Others chillin' like it's tropical

The indifference is mad crazy

Like poverty's contagious

My hands are dirty,

but I'm still worthy

Step in my shoes

and walk in some mercy

They say this is your punishment

For such poor judgment

You must have lost your mind

How you gonna feed it

When you're barely eating

Get ready for the welfare line

I ain't try'na hear it

You made the bed, lay in it

But I'm way too strong for

you to break my spirit

Is it me?

Am I the cause of all my mother's misery?

This cloud of secrecy

on my paternity

Did my very birth

destroy my whole family?

I'm just a sinner

I know who I am

Just a beginner

I'm not yet a man

Send me a signal

I'll follow your light

Just help me through...

...this silent night

Hush, child, it'll be all right

I'll get you through...

...this silent night

Hush, child, it'll be all right

I'll get you through...

...this silent night

This ain't living

I got a mouth to feed But I

can't make these ends meet

Got an eviction notice But my

Lord don't hear my prayers

I never been this way

The silence is too loud for me

Life just ain't fair

Is anyone out there?

Does anyone care?

Is anyone listening?

Is anyone there?

Just let me know

I'm part of your plan

That you're watching over

and know who I am

From where we are now

Where we are

How do we find our way?

Alone in the darkness...

...with no place to stay

Hush, child, it'll be all right

I'll get you through

this silent night

Silent night

Hush, child, it'll be all right

I'll get you through

this silent night

You'll get through the night

Oh, yeah

Sleep...

...in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly...

Langston, is that you?

Merry Christmas Eve.

You slept late.

You going somewhere?

Just for a walk,

if that's all right.

Well, this is New York,

so walk like you have a purpose.

You can pick up some things

from the store for me.

Wait right there.

You okay, sweetie?

Yeah, thank you.

Your day could've been

a whole lot worse.

You're not from around here, clearly.

I'm from Baltimore.

Well, watch where you're going if

you want to make it to Christmas.

These cabbies don't play.

Yeah, I can see that.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you. You, too.

Gold, silver! Whatever you need,

baby, we got it right here.

Yes, sir. All right.

You got what I need, brother.

He took care of you, right?

Step into my office.

Come see me.

You need a two piece?

What do you need, a two or three piece?

Can I help you find

something, young man?

Christmas present

for your mother?

Got some lovely items,

very affordable.

That's pretty.

Out of your price range.

You buy stuff, too, right?

Just don't bring me

no funky Adidas.

That's a lovely watch.

Very rare.

Very valuable.

How much can I get for it?

It's got to be worth, what?

Five grand?

Oh, it's worth a great deal.

More to its owner than anyone.

This watch belongs to Reverend Cornell

Cobbs. It's his prized possession.

See right here?

"To C.C. from M.L.K."?

You know who that is?

Yes, sir.

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