Christmas program

11 December 2019

Retro: Shout with the Shepherds!

Jim Just for fun, Ministry glimpses, Retro 2

Shout with the Shepherds, shake them blues!

Ten years ago today we were doing a Christmas program at the community centre in the community of JesÃºs MarÃa. It included a pastorela (a Christmas play) (see the actors on the right), some sing-a-long music, presentations to students, and a devotional from Rod. And, of course, some hot ponche for all at the end!

We were actually brand new in JesÃºs MarÃa at the time. There was no church in the community (that would start in March). So the participants were made up of people from our church planting team, people from the church in Santa BÃ¡rbara, and people that we had met through the community centre.

We invited family and friends of our students to attend, and had a great time.

Baking classes and English classes were big, and so the music was intentionally bilingual. Shari and I did some special music, singing “Good News” by our friend Mark Sorell, with one chorus translated into Spanish (one line quoted at the beginning of this post, of course!). So – here we are – ten years ago tonight!

Good news of great joy Which shall be for all the people Good news of great joy Spread it 'round the world

9 December 2011

December 2011 Clausura (what’s that??)

Jim Mexico, Ministry glimpses, Prayer and Praise 1

Tonight we had our December "clausura" at the community centre in Jesús María.

What in the world is that?!

A clausura (say clow-SOO-ra) is a closing program. The fall set of classes at the community centre is finished, and at the close of each set of classes we have a special closing program.

Tonight we had some games for English class, and we sang a couple of Christmas songs. We saw some country dancing.

There were special presentations for everyone who participated in various classes, including basketball and baking class. There was a demonstration from the drum class.

Afterwards there was ponche and corn dogs – what a combination! 🙂

Why in the world do you do that?!

Clausuras are a great chance to get to know people in the community. Sometimes we meet family and friends of people who are in community centre classes. Sometimes we meet people who just happen to be walking by. 🙂

It’s a great way to end a series of classes with a bang, and recognize students that have been working hard. There’s usually an opportunity to share God’s Word in some way, as we did tonight by sharing the Christmas story and giving out some Gospels of Matthew.

How did it go?

Very well! Our new community centre director, Tina, did a great job getting everything organized. We didn’t have a lot to do tonight, although I played keyboard for the songs. But it was good to spend some time with new and old friends.

Everyone will be taking a bit of a break from community centre activities over Christmas. Then we’ll be starting a new set of classes later in January. The next set of classes will end just before Holy Week, so there will be more opportunities to share about why Jesus came.

The community centre has been a great opportunity to make friends, and to offer services that actually help the community in various ways. Thanks to those of you who have been a part of it! 🙂

The Clausura Crowds assembled for the program
Jesús María, Ixtapaluca, Mexico City

10 January 2011

School Christmas Program (Christmas leftovers)

Jim Family, Mexico, Video Blogs 3

I know it’s a little late, but I was looking at the videos I took over the last little while and thought it would be worth it to show the video from the Christmas program at the kids’ school. It’s only about 3 minutes long.

Here are a few things to note before you watch:

Our coworker Rod Fry was asked to lead the children in a couple of songs. They did a really good job. You’ll hear "Joy to the World", and then a song to the tune of "Jingle Bells". The words to both are different in Spanish. In the first, you’ll hear Jesus gives forgiveness, for example. The second is totally different in this popular Spanish song. You’ll hear bells, but the song isn’t about bells. For example, when Hannah’s trio sings, some of the words are: I love you, my Jesus, I will sing your glories, I will rejoice this happy day. Then the chorus starts Christmas, Christmas, today is Christmas…
This past semester Rod and I were talking to the English teacher about some of the music the kids learn and learn about. I don’t know if that discussion had anything to do with it, but there was an unusual amount of religious music in this program! For an English song, one class sang Paul Wilbur’s "Up to Jerusalem", a song based on Scripture (Psalm 122). (If you look closely, you’ll see someone in a devil costume singing that one – more on that later!)
Nathanael was a shepherd, Hannah a shepherdess. They wore typical costumes for their roles.
The Christmas story was also pretty typical… although it may not be what you’re familiar with if you just read the account in the Bible. In this version, the shepherds (pilgrims), from a far away land, follow the star to Bethlehem. But while they travel, a devil tries to trick them while an angel tries to stop the devil. (You might argue that the devil and angel are probably historical realities. However, the typical portrayal of a devil in a red suit trying sneaky but usually harmless tricks on the shepherds leaves something to be desired! The devil is almost always the most popular character in these Christmas programs…)

Well, I’ll let you figure out the rest for yourself! Enjoy. 😉

21 December 2009

Hannah’s School Christmas Program (2009) (video)

Jim Family, Mexico, Video Blogs 1

And now – Hannah’s Christmas program! Once again, I’ll play you clips from the whole program so you can get an idea what it’s like.

This program was in many ways very typical, except that the teachers performed the Christmas drama. But the drama itself (clips are included) was typical because it included pilgrims (aka shepherds) in traditional Mexican garb going to see baby Jesus, and demons playing tricks on them to stop them (although one demon apparently got converted in the end… perhaps it’s not best to derive any theology from this program!).

You’ll also hear many traditional Christmas songs. And there were some speeches about the true meaning of Christmas (apparently happiness and smiles)… I included one clip at the very end.

It’s unfortunately virtually impossible to see Hannah in the video. She’s generally in the back, because she’s tall – but not tall enough to tower over everyone else. 🙂 And, of course, it was pretty dark. However, you can get a glimpse of her starting around 2 minutes 10 seconds, I believe, jumping up and down in the back. She’s got looooong braids (not all real, mind you!).

Take our word for it, she did a great job. 🙂

21 December 2009

Nathanael’s School Christmas Program 2009 (video)

Jim Family, Mexico, Video Blogs 1

Here it is in living colour – some clips from the Christmas program at Nathanael’s school. There are clips here from the whole evening, not just the parts Nathanael had. You’ll even see what happened to the piÃ±ata – oops.

Nathanael is a part of the baton team this year. Unfortunately, someone else ended up with his baton through unknown means, but he bravely continued baton-less. Way to persevere, Nathanael!

You’ll see him in the back left during that performance, and then later in a white robe… I’ll let you try to find him.

Have fun!

Oh, and sorry about the chipmunks clip…