Wonderful!

I would like to go on and on about last weekend's performances of Journey to the Manger.

After awhile you run out of superlatives. You can rhyme - super duper. (or as Bro. Paul said, "You're the boss applesauce."

You can alliterate - practically perfect production, marvelously magnificent mesmerizing music making.

You can make up words - fantasmagorically whoopsidoodled performances. (but then it sounds a bit Suessish)

But what I really want to say is rather simple. The whole weekend was wonderful! Every part of it. Thanks.

The Lady in Red

I've been the Worship Pastor/Minister of Music at many churches over the years. And I've seen Christmas programs on TV and on DVDs from many more churches. In all of these productions, Mary was dressed in blue. I just figured blue was her color. (Is Mary "Winter?" Hahaha! Remember that back in the early 90s when the ladies had those parties and they found out which season of the year their skin was and then they bought clothes and makeup that went with their season?)

Sorry, chased a rabbit.

Here are some famous paintings through the centuries with Mary in red. In some that I didn't choose she was in blue and one she was wearing black (ugh). But since they didn't support my argument of Mary in red I left them out.

I found these cool old paintings here.

http://www.christmas-worldwide.com/art/favourite-nativity-scenes.html

So I found it quite interesting as I looked for a Nativity set to use in Hilldale's Living Christmas Tree - Journey to the Manger and at the Nativities at my house, that in almost every Nativity I found, Mary was wearing RED!

Why would Mary wear red?

So I did a little research. I found two different explanations of Mary wearing red (at least two that seemed to make sense). She also has a blue outer robe.

One is that red is the color of divinity and blue the color of humanity and so Mary with her inner red robe and outer blue represents her in her humanity carrying Christ (divinity).

The second was that red was the color of virgins and blue the color of mothers representing - obviously - the virgin mother.

Whatever the explanation, our Mary is wearing red this year because in the story line the sculptor's figures come to life in his dream. And since the Nativity had Mary in red and blue our Mary is in red and blue.

By the way, Lacey is doing a GREAT job in her roll as Mary. You can see her tonight at 7:00, tomorrow at 7 or Sunday afternoon at 3:00. Come early for a good seat and enjoy some beautiful music. Thirty minutes before each performance we have "pre-tree" music for your enjoyment.

Advertising Poster

I tried sending an e-mail to everyone in choir. I guess since there were several people on the list and since I had an attachment (the poster) that Charter thought I was SPAM. So as a result, all of the charter addresses were not delivered.

Here's the poster. You can print one up for yourself or you can copy it and send it to family and friends via e-mail.

Christmas Is Rolling Along

I was a little panicked about Christmas when I realized that there were only 7 Wednesdays (with one of those the Wednesday before Thanksgiving - so it doesn't really count) before "the Tree."

And as of today - not counting the one before Thanksgiving - there are only 5 Wednesday rehearsals before then. Ooooooo!



However...

after last night's rehearsal I feel reeallllly good about The Living Christmas Tree - Journey to the Manger.

First, our Wind and Fire group sounded pretty good on several of the songs (still struggling a bit with the key of 'B') but it's all very doable.

And second, the choir sounded awesome! I"m really excited not only about Christmas, but the songs we're singing for church in the next couple of weeks. They really sounded great!



Keep on listening to your rehearsal CDs. Be faithful to rehearsals. Pray for God's blessing. We'll see some great things in the days ahead - at Christmas time and Sunday by Sunday. It's such a joy to work with all of you!



See you Sunday!



Oh, And welcome new members:

Charles and Dan -bass

Tina - soprano