Christmas Program 2020
Our Christmas program will look a little different this year, but will nonetheless, still capture the joys of our Savior’s birth. No doubt you will enjoy a mini movie by our kids and will agree that there is stardom in their future. Many thanks to Vance Stewart and Justin Flack who have used their uniquely creative skills to produce the Christmas Nativity story as told by our wonderful kids.
Following the children’s Nativity will be our musical, Christmas, Night of Angels, told from the viewpoint of Mary and Joseph as they remember the events leading to the miraculous birth of Jesus, our Savior. The music will be presented by our virtual Christmas choir and live ensembles. You may view this program live or online. If attending in person you will need to go to our website to get a free ticket for performances on Saturday, December 19 or Sunday, December 20, both at 3:00 p.m. We hope you will plan to celebrate with us!
The Animals of the Nativity
The animals of the Nativity have been featured in various poems and songs. One of the most famous poems/songs starring the Christmas animals is a carol entitled The Friendly Beasts. The text of the piece focuses on the humble contributions of the stable animals assumed present at the birth of Christ. It is sung from the perspective of the donkey who lovingly carried Mary on her long journey to Bethlehem, the cow who donated the manger in which Christ lay, the sheep who gave up his wool for the swaddling clothes, and the dove who gently sang the Christ child to sleep on the night of His birth. Each verse begins with the refrain “I, said the donkey, shaggy and brown,” or “I, said the sheep with the curly horn,” and the carol’s last verse runs as follows:
Thus every beast by some glad spell,
in the stable dark was glad to tell
Of the gift he gave Emmanuel.
The gift he gave Emmanuel.
Another poem that gives perspective from the eyes of the animals is The Nativity by C.S. Lewis. Lewis cites the various virtues of the animals in response to the presence of the Christ child – wishing to be able to respond to Christ’s presence with the virtues which symbolically belong to these same animals.
Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow)
I see a glory in the stable grow
Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length
Give me an ox’s strength.
Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;
So may my beastlike folly learn at least
The patience of a beast.
Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)
I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;
Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!