Bethlehem Spoke! (and the Greens Were Hung!)

(This is an opinion piece. Proceed with caution.)

If you missed it yesterday morning, Pastor Ray did one of his dramatic interpretation messages as part of what I personally felt was an exceptionally spirit-filled service of the Hanging of the Greens. We’ve seen him do good guys and bad guys, folks we can relate to and those to whom we cannot relate, but I believe, correct me if I am wrong, that this is the first time Ray has portrayed a centuries-old town. At least around here.

Ray spoke from the point of view of the town that we know as “the City of David” and the birthplace of Christ. He described the life of the town from before the founding of Israel, adding to the feeling of antiquity by addressing his audience as children of Adam. (How old do you have to be to look at someone and instantly think of the first human. I’m not there yet.) A short telling of the history to the time of Jesus’ birth provided a link between the Old Testament and the advent of the New Covenant. I enjoyed it.

The Hanging of the Greens was also very nicely done. (As I said at the top of the post, this is an opinion piece.) I enjoyed the variety of music, both congregational singing (I grew up in the acapella Church of Christ so I like a lot of that) and the various genre of other music. The handbell choir has really grown to be spectacular, I’m a real sucker for the cello, I did notice that one of the men’s chorus who had sported a bushy lip in the past was now clean shaven, but they sounded great, as did the choir and praise team. Add the organ and piano into the mix and we had pulled out all the stops. (Pun intended.)

I also hope someone taped the young folk doing their Chili Song. I assume that the fact they had to set up more tables and chairs at the chili fund raiser after church means it was successful.

If you are a member or attended the service, please add your comments and thoughts. If you are not, you can add them as well. But better yet, come pay us a visit. There should be a link to our official City Road Chapel Web page to the right. I am personally inquisitive about what those who have not joined our ranks as yet think, so I will be eagerly awaiting comments.

Jim Havron

CRC member