Ten years ago today we were doing a Christmas program at the community centre in the community of Jesús 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 Jesús 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 Bárbara, 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!
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. 😉
Last night was the big Christmas event in Jesús Marí. It was a crazy time, but a good time for making new friends, making our presence known in the area, and sharing about the coming of the Messiah.
The evening included three English Christmas songs from many in the English classes, Christmas carols in Spanish led by the Sendero de Vida band, a Christmas song from Shari and I, a Christmas drama in English from some of the students, some presentations from the Amigas del Alma (Mayra, Aurora and Sheri) baking class, and a short devotional from Rod.
Oh, and ponche, a favourite Mexican Christmas drink.
Everyone worked hard in a short period of time, and pulled off a fun evening. Good work!
Since I was involved in a lot of what was going on, I took limited video. But I do have about 5.5 minutes here to give you an idea what the evening was like, including some pictures members of my family and others took with our camera. The lighting was interesting, so you’ll see some brightness and darkness in interesting places…
It’s about time I gave you an update about the last part of our week last week. It’s been quite a ride! Let me start with the concert.
The Battle of the Bands
The concert took place in the traffic circle in front of our church meeting place, and we got permission to actually close off the street. That night I was at Nathanael’s school Christmas concert, and so I arrived a couple of hours late, only to discover they hadn’t started yet! They were still putting the finishing touches on the massive light and sound system, I guess. So the concert finally started with Laura Guaza and her band (Laura is from Columbia but living here), then followed Charlie Bostik, and finally Lighthouse Collective from the USA.
I missed quite a bit of the concert, because I ended up taking Laura’s band back into Mexico City that night. It was a late night for me, but far later for those taking down the sound system, who I understand were working after 2am!
I do know that the message about Jesus as Saviour was shared at the concert, and one person accepted the Lord and came to our worship service on Sunday morning. His name is Alberto – please pray for him, and others who heard the message!h3>The Pastorela
The Pastorela, or Christmas play, took place Sunday night in the Walmart plaza (El Cortijo). The children from Hannah’s Sunday School were to put on a "Christmas Tree" first. They all wore black with green capes, and using benches made up a Christmas tree, telling the Christmas story with their lines and songs. Then the pastorela was to follow.
That’s basically what did happen, but a few things did go wrong.
First, a teen band ended up going on stage before us – and actually about when we were supposed to go on stage. That meant no time for a walk through on the stage and a test of the sound system and lights. It also meant that by the time the pastorela started, the shops were closing and people were heading home.
Next, during the children’s Christmas Tree, the microphone got handed to the wrong child at the wrong time, meaning that Hannah’s lines – which she had practised for weeks – were totally missed! She was pretty disappointed.
Having had no time to test the mics, we were halfway through the first scene before we discovered that no one could hear anything. We switched mid-scene to having everyone hold mics, which wasn’t ideal.
Now the mic thing was unfortunate, but two things were amazing. First, how prepared MartÃn and Miguel were, and how quickly the cast adapted, without missing a beat. Unbelievable.
In spite of things going wrong, a lot more went right. The kids did an amazing job (see a brief video here). They had all kinds of special hand motions planned, and it looked great. Here’s a clip from Rod:
The actors also did an amazing job in the pastorela. The message was clear … very clear. And there were surely a couple of hundred people listening, and many really were listening, not just wandering by.
I didn’t get to watch it all closely. I was busy fixing the backdrop that had come loose, or making sure people had mics, prompting, reminding people to pray, and so on. But from all I saw, it was a grand success, and God answered our prayers.
Here’s a brief clip from Rod, showing the entrance of the Magi. The stage is above (you can see Mary and Joseph and the baby in the house):
A team from Lighthouse Collective agreed to help as stage hands at the last minute, and they did an excellent job as well.
Directing the pastorela was not something I wanted to do. The language and cultural barrier are still pretty big for the subtleties involved. No doubt the cast missed half of what I tried to say, and I missed half of what they tried to say. But they were very patient, and I think we all had a great time (I did, anyway!), and God used it.
It was good to brush up on my drama skills anyway – it’s been a while!
The actors performed way beyond my expectations. Kinda wondering what their next triumph will be!
Thanks so much to those of you that prayed, or through your donations helped make all this a reality. And also to those who encouraged all of us involved. And of course, thanks to all who were a part of it – Lighthouse Collective, the people from our church, and others!
I just got home from the pastorela at the plaza! Many thanks to those of you who were praying – you have no idea how much we appreciate it.
Everyone did an amazing job. I won’t give you a full report tonight, but I just wanted to let you know that it happened! 🙂
Tomorrow morning at 8:15am I’ll be meeting with the team, and we’re going to go visit our local pyramids. Then we’ll be taking them to the airport. I’m sure they appreciate your prayers too.
But now – I have no idea why, but I seem to be a little tired. I’ll get back to you soon with the details.
I just got back from an incredible practice with the cast of Sunday’s pastorela (Christmas play). Wow. They have worked so hard on this, and tomorrow is going to be great.
I’m actually living life sandwiched between two big events. Yesterday was the big concert on the street in front of the church meeting place. It went great – lots of people in the street, and some really clear talk about how Jesus has changed lives. I have some pictures – I’ll try to post them as soon as possible.
Yesterday also was Nathanael’s Christmas program, at his school. It was great too. They did something quite shocking, actually. In the Christmas drama, someone took out an actual Bible and talked about what really happened in the time of Jesus birth! I know, strange. But cool.
I have video of that, so stay tuned. Nathanael wasn’t in that part – he was in another song, so you’ll see that eventually here or in the photo gallery.
Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. Music and drama practices in the morning, a worship service, lunch, and then setup at the mall for the Christmas play.
These guys need your prayers. The Christmas play has a very clear presentation of the Good News about Jesus. It is not vague. In fact, Scripture will be read. The church people will be literally in the public square, and emotions and nervousness will be running high. This is a very actor-focused drama, not a lot of bells and whistles to make it easy.
Please, please pray that the Lord will use these actors, that the message will be clear, that people will hear it, and that the distractions will be kept to a minimum. Pray that conversations will go on all around the area. Pray that we will remain unified. Pray that the Spirit will work in hearts, tomorrow and in the weeks and months ahead.
We need your prayers – that is to say, we need the Lord!
The kids Sunday School will also be performing (before the pastorela). I think it will all run more or less between 7pm and 9pm our time, but your prayers are appreciated all day. It will be a challenge – there is lots to do still!
