Christmas
2014 was highlighted with wonderful family visitations, Christmas
brunches and lunches, TV movies: “Guess Who's Coming to
Christmas”, “The Tree that Saved Christmas”, “Horses of
McBride”, etc. On Sunday, the 21st
I attended a majestic “Festival
of Carols and Lessons for Christmas”
at Port Nelson United Church. Enthralled by the Biblical
presentation by the church choir dressed in cassocks of white and
blue, the various scripture readers and the resounding music of the
Casavant Organ
(built in Quebec 1962 ~ 2,968 pipes), I recalled a simple country
church Christmas concert of several years ago.
In
my early teaching years in Hamilton, I returned weekends to
Brantford, my parents' home. On Sundays I attended Central Baptist
Church on Brant Avenue ~ participated in their music program, was
influential with the Youth Group, initiating a monthly 'news
bulletin' called The
Fledgling. Sunday
afternoons, a small group travelled to a rural community church to
conduct a service for the local parishioners. They requested a
Christmas Concert for their children and other families to enjoy.
“What could we do for them?” was the question.
I
had heard about “The
Littlest Angel” a
beautiful story that not only portrays the Christmas message, but
would also 'melt the hearts' of listeners and would be entertaining
for these rural families. From somewhere, I obtained this story ~
with inspiration, I rewrote it into a play the following two or three
weeks. With a nucleus group of parents, we discussed the essence of
The Littlest Angel
presentation
to be staged. The farm men rebuilt a stage for us...the mothers made
costumes for their children...with the old pump-organ, a small choir
rehearsed accompanying carols to be sung. My contribution was making
gorgeous angel-wings
for the children to wear. How excited all these church people became!
Throughout the community, word 'spread like wildfire' about the
upcoming concert...to such an extent, we scheduled an additional
presentation. WOW...I really felt 'on the hook' for the success of
this!
Well,
my Dear Blog Readers, after these many years, I've located The
Littlest Angel...written by Charles Tazewell.
Although he called it a 'short story', I've divided it into two parts
for 'blog presentation.' I invite you to read this heart-warming
story and to envision it presented as a 'stage play' where many
children, with a narrator, portrayed little angels, shepherds, adult
angels (and archangels), and the 'heavenly host'. Part 1 will be
submitted in a few days.
It
came upon a midnight clear,
That
glorious song of old,
From
angels bending near the Earth
To
touch their harps of gold.
“Peace
on Earth...Goodwill to Men,
From
Heaven's all gracious King!”
The
world in solemn stillness lay
To
hear the angels sing.
Written
by Merle Baird-Kerr...December 27, 2014
To comment about the upcoming publications,
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