Christmas Joy 2013: The Final Production

My first participation in Christmas Joy came as a handbell ringer. Upon arriving at Bethany Church in the Fall of 2010, it was my pleasure to join the handbell choir, as this was something I had wanted to try for a while. When I glanced at the handbell rehearsal/performance schedule and saw that we would be playing in 8 Christmas performances, I had no idea that the presentation the church referred to as "Christmas Joy" would be quite a production, complete with an elaborate set, costumes, music, choreography, and drama. I was (and still am) so impressed by the amount of work that individuals contribute towards Christmas Joy. Countless hours have been spent writing the script, designing/constructing the set, printing flyers/tickets/programs, learning the music, rehearsing choreography, memorizing lines, preparing food, providing childcare, and covering the performances in prayer. Below is a picture from the first Christmas Joy presentation in which I participated ("Jonah's Light" 2010).

I am particularly excited to be a part of this year's production as it is the first time I've been a member of the drama cast (and a main character!) in the production. I have had such fun working on the production and enjoying lots of time with the others involved in the production. I think that my excitement towards being a character in Christmas Joy is best reflected by the expression on my face in the following photo taken of me and my brother right before Christmas 20 years ago.

However, it is also a pleasure to be a part of Christmas Joy this year, as it is the 40th and final year of this production. The ministry of Christmas Joy has been a blessing to the many people involved in producing it, as well as those who have attended over the years. Although, it will be quite a tearful occasion as we commence with the final performance of Christmas Joy on December 15th, it will also be a time of great joy, thanks, and praise to God for giving this gift for the time duly appointed. And, then, an opportunity to, with trusting hearts, look to the Lord for what He will delight to give to us next. The Lord is the giver of good gifts, and we can be sure that what He gives (or takes away) will be done for our good and His glory.

This year's presentation, "God's Melting Pot," takes place December 1886. The Statue of Liberty has been dedicated, and immigrants from the world over have been drawn to a new life in the young, prosperous democracy, with some seeking gold and silver in Virginia City, Nevada Territory. Two Virginia City Immigrants, George from England and Patrick from Ireland, come to this new land but harbor a deep hatred for each other. How can God bring reconciliation to these life-long enemies?

That being said, if you will be in the Long Beach, California area on December 7th, 8th, 14th or 15th, I hope you will come out to see any one of the 8 performances of Christmas Joy at Bethany Church (2250 Clark Ave. Long Beach, CA 90815). Admission is free, as is childcare for those five years of age and younger. Performances are at 3:30pm and 7:00pm. For more information, please call 562.597.2411. Hope to see you there!

A Treasured Christian Legacy

Reading words written in decades past is an exciting experience in and of itself. Reading words belonging to those in my ancestral line is doubly thrilling. Reading the words of previous generations regarding their walk with the Lord is, to me, an absolute treasure.

Recently, I've been researching the history of my Dad's side of the family. While I was visiting my parents a couple of weekends ago, I was able to look through a large file of pictures, e-mails, and newspaper articles about our family's history.

One special treasure was the letter pictured above, from my great great grandmother, Charlotte Lyons, to my grandfather, Norbert Lyons. It was so exciting to hold the letter and envelope, look at the 3 cent stamp and 1944 postmark, and marvel at how the post office could deliver a letter to its destination with only the addressee's name, city, and state listed on the envelope.

But, what was even more exciting, was reading the words my great great grandmother wrote:

Corunna, Michigan
May 7th 44

Dear Norbert,
In looking through Grandpas treasures, found this little letter written by you 20 years ago. Thought you might like to keep it. Hope this will find you all with better health than when I was there. Baby Wesley was the only well one.

I think in the past if we had all looked to our Heavenly Father for guidance, things would have been better for us. We wouldn’t have made so many mistakes. But now may we look to Him in time of need. Thanks for the many things you done for us during Grandpas illness & death. He didn’t know about it. But always spoke of your kindness & care for us. I hope you can get the kind of home that’s best for you. The only way I can help you all is by the way of the throne. Ethel will be better when she gets her teeth. Don’t try to come out. It takes money to buy gas. I am able to walk a little better.

While I am lonely sometimes, friends are kind & God is with me.

With lots of love,
Grandmother

In recent years, I have come to see how privileged of a background I have come from. Having had grandparents, great-great grandparents, and beyond, who knew and loved the Lord, and were faithful in telling their children about the Lord and salvation through faith in Him, is of incomparable worth.

I am so thankful for the generations before me who have lived in obedience to the Lord and did their best to help their children to come to a saving knowledge of the truth, which is found only in Christ Jesus. While their lives may have consisted of rather ordinary, routine work and care of house and family, their faithfulness to the Lord, in the time and space in which He placed them makes their lives anything but insignificant.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:14-15

The Exquisite Handwriting of My Mother

My mom would say that she doesn’t have the nicest handwriting.

I suppose at face value this is true. Surely, there are those who have honed calligraphy skills who can write words in the most elegant cursive imaginable.

However, my mom’s handwriting has a beauty unlike that of any other person in the world.

When I see my mom’s handwriting, even just in the form of writing my address on an envelope, I feel her great love for me.

I remember the times that she woke me up for school, took care of me when I was sick, let me help her make food for the family, and disciplined me when I disobeyed. I remember the times that she has held me, sat with me, cried with me, and spoke words of life to me.

The great love that she had for me and my brother was demonstrated again and again and again through all of the simple, mundane moments of life as she and my dad raised us.

When I see her handwriting, I know the great love for me that is behind the pen and paper, and I feel completely loved and treasured.

It recently occurred to me that I should experience this same feeling when I read God’s word. God loves and cares for me so much more than do my parents, and I want to have the same response to seeing God’s word that I do when I see my mom’s writing. It seems easier to me to feel this great love when looking at my mom’s handwriting. Perhaps, it is just because of the physical presence she has had in my life. I have come to know her presence through the joys and challenges of life.

However, I have also come to know the Lord and His character through the joys and challenges of life, and even more so, through His word. I want to be increasingly more aware of His love for me.

I am thankful that among many other ways that He has shown His love for me, He has given me a mom whose writing has great power to encourage me and make me feel like a treasure.