The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

This past weekend at Epiphany Far Hills campus, our worship was built around the Children's Christmas Program. This year's offering was "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." I have to be careful about what I say about the show since I was in it - so was Pastor Jay! We shared the part of Reverend Hopkins - Jay took Saturday's shows, and I was on for Sunday. I think we got the part because we already had the costume.

That being said, the show was great! After 20 plus years of being the one responsible for the Christmas program, I can relate to the story told in this year's show. It is about putting the annual Christmas pageant together, and things don't go as planned. The play is about a family called the Herdmans - a family of rotten children. They lie, steal, swear, fight, light things on fire, and are generally feared in the community. When they get wind of the annual church Christmas pageant, they bully their way into the main roles and generally wreak havoc. What some feared would be the worst pageant in church history turns out to have a special quality that causes the community to rethink the real meaning of the Christmas story. (www.storysnoops.com)

Besides being a wonderful show, I am thankful for the blessings that we offer and receive through this outreach ministry. Here are a few that come to mind:

• All Are Welcome. Everyone who wishes to be in the production will be given the opportunity to do so. Even the pastors. Even those who are not members of the church. All are welcome, and are welcomed with open arms.
• Bridges Are Built. Children and parents, extended families come to participate and to see the program, and over time relationships are built. Epiphany becomes a place where those who come here feel at home and that they belong to the community. 
• An Army of Assistants Get The Job Done. Parents, family members, church members and friends join in to make up a great group of helpers, workers, supporters and friends. The names of those helping out was longer than that of the cast. Amazing!
• Talents Are Tapped. Epiphany has a unique ministry with the drama program. For over 20 years, children and adults have been given the opportunity to get on stage and try their hand at acting. I can see the confidence and communication skills that the children develop through this program. We also know that the stage is not for everyone. There are builders and seamstresses and props people and sound and light people. So many different talents all working together to share the message.
• Opportunities To Try. Some of our helpers were asked to serve in areas that were new to them. One of the blessings the church has to offer is to be a place where people can try new things and see if this is where God has gifted them. We might make mistakes, but grace abounds. 
• We Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite lines from this year's show was by one of the Herdmans. When Imogene Herdman asks what the Christmas Pageant story was about, she was told it's about Jesus. Imogene's response was, “Everything here is!" To that I say, "Yes, yes it is!"
•  What We Proclaim is Good News. The angel comes to proclaim Good News of Great Joy, that UNTO YOU is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Good News! Great Joy! I saw a lot of smiles, heard a lot of laughter, and experienced a great deal of joy at church this weekend. The reason I became a pastor is because I want to share this good news of great joy. It was tangible this weekend, and for that I am thankful.

I am sure you can add to this list. 

I hope and pray that this season of Advent preparation and Christmas celebration be filled with hope, joy and peace. And I pray that we as a church do all we can to share that message for all who gather here, and all who carry it out the doors and into the world. 

Amen, Come Lord Jesus!

Peace,

Pastor Charlie