Can We Talk 2

Family Night at Church

         Once a year, we have a dinner with the kids from the housing project down the road. We pick them up on the bus for activities twice a month. For the dinner, some parents com and regular church members. We had volunteers cook ham, and sides, with mac'n cheese for the kids, and store bought dessert. We had a jam session, in which 4 guitarists and one saxophonist, performed a few numbers for us. Then we played a game of charades, with each table acting out Christmas songs amongst themselves. My table finished first so we got some cheap candy prizes.

         The highlight is the unrehearsed Christmas play. The director found years ago that kids get too nervous and uptight about memorizing lines and following directions. So they run through the story, while the adults play music and games. Then they come in in costumes and follow the directions of several adults stationed along the way. The sheep were bouncing all over the place. The angels almost missed their entrance. The wise man (only one last night) passed by the stable. We sing traditional carols at key points in the Bible story. At the end, without ever having said a word, they come back and take a bow. They are rewarded with a bag of candy and can take an ornament of their choice off a special tree. It really is fun to watch.

         I find myself looking forward to this each year. It is as entertaining as a play rehearsed since September.