Second Row, Piano Side: The Church Christmas Plays

Growing up on the Second Row, Piano Side,

afforded me many opportunities to see

the making of a great Christmas production year after year

up close and personal.

 

When I say production, I'm talking Lights, Camera, Action!

 

My mom wrote a play that was produced year after year

on the front lawn of our church.

  

Many months before the stage was set,

Mama and her many assistants

assembled together

actors and actresses with speaking parts

to record parts on a reel to reel recorder.

I'm talking movie reel!
 

 

The voices were familiar and the parts were the same

year after year.

 

I was always a "little" angel in the play,

(who got her tail tore up nightly

at rehearsal.)

Yeah, some angel, huh?

The part never did fit quite right:)

 

I dreamed of being Mary.

Although I never got to play the BIG part,

I was center stage on my own platform.

 

Hearing the words, night after night,

I recited the story of our Savior's birth.

I wrapped my baby Jesus in swaddling clothes

and laid him in a cardboard box manger.

Everything was in unison as each part
was played out on the front lawn of
Sandersville First Church of the Nazarene.

Each person had a role to fill-
Mary, Joseph, The Choir of Angels,
the Shepherds, the Wise Men,
the Innkeeper, and even the live animals.
(Mary even came to the stable riding on a stubborn mule one year!)
 

The story was real to this little girl

on the Second Row, Piano Side.

I sang the sweet carols daily

and anticipated nightly rehearsals

the week before Christmas.

 

The night finally arrived
as everyone in the community
came to witness 

the greatest story ever told.

 

Only it wasn't just a story.

It was a presentation of the birth of our Redeemer, our Savior,

Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God,

Emanuel-God with us.

 

The Wise Men followed a star.

 

 

My journey to Jesus has been a mix of twists and turns.

I asked Jesus into my heart as pure and innocent

5 year old.

As Daddy gave the invitation,

I tugged on mama's dress and asked if I could go forward.

I view that day in living color.

 

When I was 12 years old, I came home

from camp horrified that this sweet Jesus

that I had come to know as a baby

would return and take some people away and leave others.

Separation from my family was enough to turn me around.

 

For years I literally walked this journey with much fear and trembling.

 

This Christmas I am experiencing the birth of the Messiah

in a NEW LIGHT.

 

I've been thinking about this story...

 

Mary and Joseph saw the Glory of God (The LIGHT)

as an angel appeared to them.

 

The Wise Men followed a STAR-another great manifestation of LIGHT.

 

The Shepherds were awakened by a GREAT LIGHT as the Glory of the Lord

shone 'round about them and

angels proclaimed "good tidings of great joy."

 

As a little girl, my daughter sang about that LIGHT... 

 

"I see a star, a bright and shining star

See way, up there it is so very far.

Where it goes, I wonder who will know

How it twinkles, how it glitters

How it lights the night.

How it twinkles, how it glitters

How it lights the night."

 

Hoping that this Star that WHO appeared one night long ago,

will appear to you today bringing HIS LIGHT to you this Christmas.

 

From My Heart to Yours,

 

Merry Christmas:)

 

BTW, the tree above with the STAR???

It is filled with old ornaments

from my baby boy's (he's 27)

childhood.

 

Stay tuned for the trimming of the tree.