Christmas Concert

Sunday was the children's Christmas concert at the church. I've been running them for many years; this should have been number 15, but we lost two to Covid, so it's only number 13. Every year I think that it was better than the year before, and this year is no exception.

One change was the sheer number of children! The younger choir had 20 children, ages 4-6, and the older one had 18 children, ages 7-9. And they sang their little hearts out! It was beautiful.

I think it helped that the director of the older choir took time to not only teach the words and music, but what the songs meant. They weren't just parroting words; they knew what the were singing.

A major change this year was the angel choir. Up to now, we've just had them showing up and saying the lines, but this year one of the ladies at the church taught them to sing the "Glory to God" part, and it was beautiful.

She also taught them Simeon's song, taken from Luke 2:29-32. We had one of the men play Simeon and the singing was beautiful.

And...I allowed an actual, live baby for Jesus! We kept a doll for "Mary and Joseph go to the manger" since it's a longer time on stage and the manger isn't really safe for a real baby. For Simeon's song, though, we used a baby -- he's around 2 months old -- so Mary wouldn't be handing a doll to the man playing Simeon. We all watched very carefully as Mary walked across the stage and handed the baby to Simeon, then watched carefully as she walked back with him after, and then let out a sigh of relief!

While there was probably very little chance my sweet Mary would drop the baby, he did look very big in her arms. Also, during the dress rehearsal, when she was supposed to put baby Jesus in the manger, she dropped him in (thankfully it was just a doll), leaving us all a bit concerned about how she would behave with a live baby!

The special music was really good. We had a choir with a string ensemble; a violinist; a soloist with piano and violins; a group of siblings on stringed instruments; and various piano players (at various levels). 

Then we ended with Go Tell It on the Mountain. The kids belted it out, especially the chorus.

After we were done our part, Pastor Adam did a gospel message. What I heard was good, but I was also helping keep the little guys somewhat settled. One at a time is easy; 20 at once is a handful!

It was really, really good, and I already have some ideas for next year!