It wouldn't be Christmas without a pageant involving adorable children and Christmas carols! The children of our church presented their Christmas play this past Sunday and they did a wonderful job.
It's been a busy day and I missed seeing many of your posts. I will try my best to get caught up again tomorrow- but now it's bedtime!
@nicolecampbell Thanks Nicole. The organ is on the right side of the platform- it's sort of blending into the door there. Years ago the church had a beautiful pipe organ, but there was no one to play it or something like that so they sold it (ugghhhhh!!) and replaced it with an electric organ. It was not so great, so they just replaced that one with a better electric organ. It's still so-so in my opinion, but I just love the old pipe organs! We also have a contemporary group that sings to guitar and flute. It's a nice blend.
Every time I see children do the Christmas story, I remember doing it myself, and then finally being old enough to be trusted with doing the reading from Luke. This is an activity that not only celebrates the season, but ties the generations together
like @bosschuster i love your church. it's elegantly simple, nothing to distract you when praying or contemplating. it looks like everyone had a grand time with the pageant. wonderful shot, ann.
It is a pretty church and the children were very sweet- especially all those little angels you see in the front row.
@dmariewms Thanks Marie. A pageant does tie many generations together. As I was watching I was remembering the time my younger son played Baby Jesus. He was only a month old! But the little girl who played Mary was so precious. She was just about 7 and already was showing signs she'd be a great mom!
Yes, it is a very simple church in many ways. The windows are quite beautiful. The thing I like most about it is that it is reverent but also has the ability to be very intimate too.
Thanks to all for your comments! I'm glad you liked the shot as it was a 12:01 A.M. last minute post!
@kerristephens Thanks Kerri! We were in a good spot in the balcony. I had wanted to be down on the floor, but actually ended up liking the shots from upstairs better.
What a lovely setting for establishing the traditions that tie one generation to those stretching backward and forward in time. Right now my teens have reached the, you can't make me go stage but I know these memories are part of who they are
@pandorasecho It's hard when they get there, but somehow I think it's important that they still go. Perhaps they are struggling with making it mean something to them, and for it not to just be something they have to do. Hopefully you can ask them to continue to go and talk about what they're thinking of these things. It might be interesting to find out which traditions still mean something to them. When our boys hit the teen years it was a given they would still come to church, but then they also had a great youth director who helped them to transition from doing what mom and dad said, to doing it for themselves.
Wow . . what a beautiful church. The children are what it's all about tho and this is so wonderful to see. My daughter wore an "angle" costume exactly like the ones here. Memories. :) Really too bad about the old organ tho..nothing like a grand old pipe organ.
@karenann Thank you Karenann! Yes a pipe organ is certainly the best. This new electric is better than the previous one, but it's still an electric organ as opposed to the grandfather of all instruments!
@geertje Thank you Geertje. This is the actual production. The children practiced for 3 or 4 weeks and then shared it on Sunday morning. They did a wonderful job! @sarasdadandmom Thanks Terry- yes absolutely- a great way to encourage serving and using all that you are for God's glory. And every child that wanted to participate had a part which was all the more special.
@cimes1 I think every Christmas pageant has some memorable "precious" moments. In this one it was our little angels, shepherds and holy family. Most of them were 7 and younger- so you can just imagine all the ooooohhhs! the first time they stood up!
@kloud Thanks Bonnie- this sanctuary has a great ability to adapt. Sunday mornings it's light and airy with sun coming through the windows and the lamps on. At night it is quiet and intimate with a peaceful darkness that comes to the edge of the burning lamps. Glad you like the shot.
@annaruth Thanks Anna! After being in a school auditorium for many years and then an Evangelical church with a very bland sanctuary, it sure is nice to be in a church with stained glass windows!! We love it very much- most of all because of the people within the walls.
@alia_801 Thanks Alia!
@digitalrn Thanks Rick!
It is a pretty church and the children were very sweet- especially all those little angels you see in the front row.
@dmariewms Thanks Marie. A pageant does tie many generations together. As I was watching I was remembering the time my younger son played Baby Jesus. He was only a month old! But the little girl who played Mary was so precious. She was just about 7 and already was showing signs she'd be a great mom!
@bosschuster Thank you Richard!
@summerfield Thank you Summerfield!
Yes, it is a very simple church in many ways. The windows are quite beautiful. The thing I like most about it is that it is reverent but also has the ability to be very intimate too.
Thanks to all for your comments! I'm glad you liked the shot as it was a 12:01 A.M. last minute post!
@sarasdadandmom Thanks Terry- yes absolutely- a great way to encourage serving and using all that you are for God's glory. And every child that wanted to participate had a part which was all the more special.