Although we were all a little depressed that our dear friend Connor could not volunteer to be the long-distance one-third of the trio of kings in the church Christmas program this year, Alex and Jacob still enjoyed portraying two of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankinsence and myrrh to the Christ Child.
Instead another boy completed the bejeweled and fancy-hatted group. You might notice that we embellished the church's costumes just a bit by digging up and adding some of those special touches we put on those short little 4-year-old kings just five years ago. Too bad we couldn't scare up some camels (or some kooky moms willing to stand in for the camels!) for them to ride on this year. (This mom is getting a just little too old to play that role anymore, particularly because the kings have gained some significant poundage over the past five years!)
In this year's program, the Wise Men were part of the tableau, so they had no lines, which was key for one of them to agree to do this (can you guess which one?). Also, they all did a great job displaying their gifts (fabulous merchandise?) for all to see. Come to think of it, maybe this is how the commercialism of Christmas all began... with the Wise Men's gifts! No, I'm sure that can't be it. I admit to being a little fixated on that concept this year, because we've had many deep discussions of what commercialism is exactly and how it plays into the season. (Thank you, Charles Schulz and the Charlie Brown Christmas special.)
So while I'm pondering the wonders of Christmases past and present, I think I shall now pause to recall the way a special Christmas carol was sung by three merry men of Libertyville, a group who were known as "Wee Three Kings" back in the CrossWays Preschool Days of 2004... sing along if you like!
Wee Three Kings of Orientar.
Berry gifts, we travel afar.
Field and fountain,
More and mountain!
Following under star.
Oh-hhhhhhh
Star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perrrfect light.
Ahh, Christmas is a good thing to celebrate and ponder each year. A very good and blessed thing! (And it is only as commercialized as you let it be!)
Okay, so I just love this story. Of course, I loved it in December when I first read it and I still enjoy remembering such a sweet 4-year-old time in our lives. I went on your blog this morning hoping to see a NYC blog post from your time here in CT. Darn. I have yet to get a post together from that trip. . .so many fun memories and photos to choose from! We will have to see who gets the job done first. Needless to say, last night was not a very happy Friday night in comparison to Friday the 26th of February. You are all so very missed and we are so grateful that we could spend even just a few prescious days with you!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Jodi