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...