jstefan posted on January 02, 2010 05:55
Sabbath morning, December 12, was different all around. Sabbath school was shortened for the main event – Crest Lane School’s Christmas program. First, the upper graders did “O Holy Night” in chimes. While they removed the chimes’ tables the congregation sang a Christmas hymn. Next, the lower graders sang their two songs: “Bring a torch, Janette, Isabella” & “He is Born”. Then the students did the play “Behind the Pageant.”
The setting is backstage at a dress rehearsal for a big Christmas Production. All the students are dressed in their costume for the “Big Show.” The director (Arianna Cottom) is running in and out getting people ready to go out “on stage” for the rehearsal. What we see is backstage activity, with our costumed characters interacting with one another. It comes out that some of the characters don’t really understand the Christmas Story they are rehearsing. So they embark on an impromptu reenactment of the nativity story, grabbing whoever is available to play a part. It might be an angel for the “Big Show” portrays a shepherd backstage. This “little show” helped the characters understand the true meaning of the events of Christ’s birth.
While they removed the props, the congregation sang another hymn. Then the upper graders did the Angel’s light Display. So once again the sanctuary was darkened. Each student wore black and had 1 light sword in each hand. WHAT A DISPLAY! The song was “Joy, Joy.” When the song was done the light swords formed the word J-O-Y. Then they went to Reisterstown to do it all over again.