In keeping with the Christmas season, my family attended a “Joy to the World” concert at our local performing arts theater last weekend. Anticipating lively carols and jingling bells, we were surprised when our idea of a holiday performance and those making the evening’s musical decisions didn’t match.
The featured contralto warmed us with her rendition of the carol about the three kings before proceeding to sing us around the globe. We ventured as far east as Japan, followed her north into Russia, and then landed somewhere that sounded like it could be a Latin American cocktail lounge. Tunes in Farsi, Japanese, and Russian were performed with pitch perfect precision, but any reference to Bethlehem was skirted. God’s ground zero for Christmas didn’t make the tour, other than a brief stop to encourage a number from the drummer boy.
The orchestra played with spirited enthusiasm and the featured instrumentalists were at the top of their game, but all semblance of Christmas music got lost in translation. Not the performance I’d expected, but the experience would teach me not to make assumptions.
The next morning we enjoyed a musical at our church sung by a complement of more than fifty children’s voices. The melodies were much simpler and the delivery less polished than what we’d heard the night before, but the message rang clear. A loving God visited a tiny town more than two thousand years ago to offer salvation through His son.
Not one person leaving that auditorium could have any doubt that Jesus’ birth fulfilled the scriptures. All people, regardless of their age, ethnicity, or abode could know eternal life through God’s precious gift at Christmas. The children’s global tour ended in a Bethlehem stable under a star. Whether it was imparted through their innocence or their enthusiasm, I left the building glad I came, eager to return.
My wish for you is that the true meaning of Christmas will bless your life this season no matter where you may live on this planet we all call earth. Merry Christmas.
Luke 2:11 (NKJV) “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Sweet reminder that we need to keep our hearts and minds on why we celebrate! Thanks for sharing ,Pat! I enjoyed your post!
Full of salient points. Don’t stop beeivling or writing!