The Christmas Play is TONIGHT!

Pictures from the dress rehearsal of “A Christmas Story, Simply Told” to be held tonight, Christmas Eve, at 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen. The one promise I can make about it is that if you come, you will LOVE IT!

More pictures below!

Tonight’s play highlights the history, mystery, miracles and special effects of the first Christmas, as told to us in the Bible. Above, shepherds rehearse their lines with the help of one of many adult volunteers. That’s Grex in the back — the tall one — he, and all the shepherds, do a great job telling their part of the story!

An addition to the play this year is a section about the Advent season with townsfolk in Old Testament times praying for the coming of a Savior. The young people who are participating in the service have done an excellent job at the few rehearsals we have had. I think the best part about the play is that it gives people of our community a chance to stop for a few minutes and reflect on what Christmas is all about. The story is kept simple, involving more than 100 young people as worship leaders who deliver their lines with great enthusiasm. (Well, most of them do!)

Another one of my favorite things about this play is the many surprises! This young man sings an acapella solo. Before the dress rehearsal, I think it’s safe to say that not many of us knew he could sing so beautifully and with such confidence! (I will try not to cry tonight when he sings.)

Brad was a shepherd the first time he was in this play many years ago. Tonight he’ll be reading from the Scriptures the part about the Wise Men following the light to find the baby in the manger.

Another of my favorite parts of the play is when the angels sing. There are many young sheep (4- and 5-year-olds) who can’t wait until next year when they get to be angels! I don’t blame them! Samantha Cook, who plays the part of the angel’s choir director, Raphael, has a beautiful voice.

The Wise Men are traditionally comprised of high school and college men who quite often surprise us with their confident singing voices. I hope to see the day when some of those little sheep are wearing those crowns and singing solos as confidently as these guys do.

That’s me! It’s kind of hard to direct the play and take pictures too, but we do make time for a pre-service picture of the entire cast of worship leaders. That’s my big job tonight — a group shot of about 120 people on our makeshift stage!

Merry Christmas! Hope to see you tonight for this wonderful family service!