Go Tell It On The Mountain
On this date in 1843, Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol was first published in England, paving the way for Rich Little to butcher it in his 1978 television special. Also, today in 1988, the summer fun sport of lawn darts was banned in the United States saving eyes of children everywhere. Happy Birthday to one of my childhood sports heroes, Kevin McHale, of Boston Celtics fame, who turns 49 today. Others born today were Reggie White (1961), Criss Angel (1967) and Alyssa Milano (1972).
This past Sunday evening, The School Girl and I visited the church of the Sister-In-Law and her husband, Randy Marsh. The Children’s Ministry was putting on their yearly program for the Christmas holiday. This year it was Three Wise Men and a Baby. The School Girl’s nephew was participating and we like to try and support the family’s kids as much as possible. Normally, these plays or programs are pretty entertaining as the children generally work really hard and have great support from the adults…normally.
It was announced prior to this, the second time that the play was enacted, that one of the main characters who was to participate unfortunately was stricken with appendicitis. Strike one. While perusing the program guide I noticed the names of the Three Wise Men: Garthstonia, Elvisstonia and Jamesstonia. They couldn’t possibly be dressing these children up as musical icons to be The Wise Men, could they? Yes, they could. Strike two.
I won’t mention that most of these children are completely void of musical talent, but I have no problem overlooking this fact. They are children and they are having fun and worshipping the Lord. At least they had the guts to get up in front of family, friends and strangers and sing aloud.
I began noticing that some of the music had a hip-hop beat to it. Surely they wouldn’t update classic religious Christmas songs to appeal to the youth of the church? I will leave you to be the judge with the following lyrical presentation:
“Go tell it, go tell it, go tell it on the mountain!” (cross arms and lean to the side). I was embarrassed for them all. Strike three.
They only things that kept my attention was the fact that my nephew actually looked like he was trying to do his best and was one of the few who DID NOT read his lines from the script while on stage! The other was a little boy named Benjamin. Benjamin was very animated in his arm movements and his dancing. He, also, was the loudest voice in the church. He seemed to be having a great time. He made me giggle multiple times. I found out later that Benjamin was a special child with a mental handicap. I felt a little bit bad that I was laughing until I realized that I wasn’t laughing at Benjamin but laughing in general at his unabashed spirit and his fun time.
For most of the program I was wishing I could run home and watch football and realized that this was one of those times that an hour of my life would be lost forever! I think that now I realize it was not about the fact that this was the worst piece of acting and singing/entertainment I have witnessed in years but was about the fun the children were having and celebrating the birth of Jesus who suffered way more than I just did.
This past Sunday evening, The School Girl and I visited the church of the Sister-In-Law and her husband, Randy Marsh. The Children’s Ministry was putting on their yearly program for the Christmas holiday. This year it was Three Wise Men and a Baby. The School Girl’s nephew was participating and we like to try and support the family’s kids as much as possible. Normally, these plays or programs are pretty entertaining as the children generally work really hard and have great support from the adults…normally.
It was announced prior to this, the second time that the play was enacted, that one of the main characters who was to participate unfortunately was stricken with appendicitis. Strike one. While perusing the program guide I noticed the names of the Three Wise Men: Garthstonia, Elvisstonia and Jamesstonia. They couldn’t possibly be dressing these children up as musical icons to be The Wise Men, could they? Yes, they could. Strike two.
I won’t mention that most of these children are completely void of musical talent, but I have no problem overlooking this fact. They are children and they are having fun and worshipping the Lord. At least they had the guts to get up in front of family, friends and strangers and sing aloud.
I began noticing that some of the music had a hip-hop beat to it. Surely they wouldn’t update classic religious Christmas songs to appeal to the youth of the church? I will leave you to be the judge with the following lyrical presentation:
“Go tell it, go tell it, go tell it on the mountain!” (cross arms and lean to the side). I was embarrassed for them all. Strike three.
They only things that kept my attention was the fact that my nephew actually looked like he was trying to do his best and was one of the few who DID NOT read his lines from the script while on stage! The other was a little boy named Benjamin. Benjamin was very animated in his arm movements and his dancing. He, also, was the loudest voice in the church. He seemed to be having a great time. He made me giggle multiple times. I found out later that Benjamin was a special child with a mental handicap. I felt a little bit bad that I was laughing until I realized that I wasn’t laughing at Benjamin but laughing in general at his unabashed spirit and his fun time.
For most of the program I was wishing I could run home and watch football and realized that this was one of those times that an hour of my life would be lost forever! I think that now I realize it was not about the fact that this was the worst piece of acting and singing/entertainment I have witnessed in years but was about the fun the children were having and celebrating the birth of Jesus who suffered way more than I just did.
posted by LeBlanc at 10:13 AM
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