The Superior Express -

The stores are bursting with Christmas decorations, gifts and delicious holiday menu options. Whenever I walk into such a store, it takes control to remain on point with my Christmas shopping list in hand to find only the things needed. It is hard though with so many items to see and imagine gifting or decorating our home with.

In all the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, we should remain focused on the true “Reason For The Season,” the birth of our Lord Jesus. My thoughts turn back to the simple Christmas programs at my home country church held years ago. Verdena Stone was mostly in charge of the children’s Sunday School part in the program then. Of course, the children adored being dressed in the white linen sheets made into angel robes, with tinseled handmade halos on their heads. The boys usually played the part of the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night and their costumes were simply bathrobes, with scarves over their heads. Mary, baby Jesus and Joseph were usually chosen from the congregation as a person would say, “to fit the bill.” For at least three years, the Winslows were chosen to play the parts of Mary and Joseph, and having three sons, each year when one of their three sons were babies that Christmas they got the special role of being Baby Jesus. Usually the pastor read from the book of Luke the Christmas Story, as the roles were played out on stage. At the end of the story, three men from the congregation dressed up as the Magi and brought their gifts to the baby Jesus.

Usually the program began with the youngest Sunday School children providing the welcome. Their teacher never was certain of how the welcome was going to turn out. Parents in the audience would be nervous but proud as each child walked out on stage, dressed in their Sunday best, and stood saying their welcoming words, and then maybe singing “Away In A Manger” so sweetly.

I remember when my youngest sister Gayla was only about five or six years old and she was to say a part in the Christmas Program. It was given to her in advance to practice at home. Naturally, her two big sisters “helped” her memorize her part. We must have really practiced with her over and over again, as to this day I can remember the part as if it were yesterday. It went, “Hark to the sounds of the bells. The message to you is clear. Jesus came from above to bring hope and special love.” Of course, my sister and I had to train our little sister to put great emphasis on the words “Hark”...and “Jesus,” “Hope” and “Love.” She did a great job when she walked out on the stage that night. Of course, everyone thought she did a wonderful job including her sisters. We still to this day tease her about that as we relive each word.

The ending to the program was when the pastor walked up on the stage and shared his part in the program. The youngsters could not wait until his message was over as that was when the presents under the large decorated Christmas tree on the stage were passed out. Every Sunday service in December looking at all the colored lights glowing, reflecting off the tinseled icicles and the beautiful angel that was placed on the top of the tree. It was a marvel how that tree looked.

Each Sunday School teacher received a present from a student and each teacher would in turn have a gift for each of the students in that class. The oldest Sunday School students were assigned to pass out the gifts. Then it was on to the final most anticipated happening which was the Christmas “Treat Sack” as we walked out into the church foyer while leaving the church. We couldn’t wait to get the sacks home to open them and see what was inside. It was always a fruit, hard candy pieces, peanuts in their shells and chocolate candy pieces. The Treat Sacks are still handed out following the program as they have been for many many years.

I hope you are preparing for your church’s Christmas programs, plays, songs, readings and fellowship. These programs hold special meanings and will create special memories for each child and even for the grown ups.