‘Twas almost the night before Christmas, but it wasn’t nearly as quiet as a mouse. Certainly not in New York’s Radio City Music Hall, where their “Christmas Spectacular” runs nightly until Jan. 2. Plenty are stirring in Memphis as well, where a spectacular “Starry Nights” light show runs through the holidays. In York, British children can walk-through a recreation of Narnia. You can lay money that no tiny hamlet across America, Europe or the West doesn’t celebrate the birth of Christ – although some may no longer admit to it.
Christmas is a time of unparalleled family, social and artistic activity in every place Christianity has settled. This is particularly true for the performing arts. People who never set foot in an auditorium the other 364 days suddenly show up for performances of “The Nutcracker.” Their niece is dancing the part of Clara for her high school. Or they’ve been given free tickets to the Joffrey’s elegant version in Chicago (running until Dec. 30, including Christmas Eve). For those who want something a little different, stringed puppets in Los Angeles pirouette their way through “The Nutcracker” at Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater.
The Rock Academy of Dance in York (UK) is an extension of the Rock Church there. Dancers are seriously good, and some are exceptional. Their dance to Brandon Heath’s “The Night Before Christmas” is a joy to watch. Dancers drift between a variety of lyrical movement – from paired-up waltzers to effortless-looking lifts, drops and leaps. It is both graceful and loose, neither overly controlled nor rigid. Choreography for the piece leaves a sense of children playing together, almost aimlessly waiting for Christmas. Heath’s lyrics sum it up:
In fear, no faith, no hope,
No grace, and no light
But that was the night before Christmas.
Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet.
Watch contemporary dance from the Rock Academy of Dance, to “The Night Before Christmas” (Brandon Heath) – Christmas 2014:
[jwplayer HVMwP9yq]
Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” is enacted, parodied, danced, cartooned, painted, rapped, tapped, paraphrased, mimed … the skies and seas are not even the limit. It continues to intrigue us on a thousand stages, where the charming moral tale of familial endurance and love of humanity (and something like Karma) is recounted.
The hipster’s nativity story may be the 110-minute “Nativity! The Musical” which teeters close to irreverence, but balances it out with touching scenes, following the Biblical story. At any rate, “Nativity! The Musical” is performed in churches, especially in Los Angeles where the road is paved with talent. Competing with Dicken’s play is the beloved film “A Christmas Story” with Ralphie, floozy floor lamps, and all. This was also made into a musical, which is currently touring the nation.
‘Tis is the season the most unlikely admirers will show up at the manger. Santas in Orange County are surfing. Institutes such as the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry concern themselves with religion only at this transcendental time of year. Their visitors behold a spectacle of lights and music, Christmas traditions from around the world, and indoor snowfalls at the museum.
Other celebrations blossom in these cold months. Perhaps the majority take place in churches, but they spill into music and dance halls as well. Even libraries, gardens, public parks and speedways are strangely glowing. Doghouses and fish hatcheries are decorated. Are we truly post-Christian, as designated?
What do YOU think? Are you feeling the holiday spirit yet? Sound off in today’s WND poll.
The classic “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” has been deemed too offensively pious by America’s religious police. Just a few lines from Luke and a sad Christmas tree was enough to enrage a group calling itself “Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.” Aided by bigoted anti-Christian groups such as Media Matters and the SPLC, these are our 21st-century Herods. Their goals appear about the same: to stop the works of God on earth and dim the effects of the Light of the World.
Piles of original paintings, drawings, prints and pottery are being offered at art fairs and galleries. Prices are often very reasonable now. Christ (as in “Christ”mas) is almost unmentionable in some museums, and trendy art galleries can be worse – but most extend a seasonal olive branch for these few months. Why not enter a land that has been held as hostile territory and reciprocate their efforts? You may find something delightful, as most galleries are business savvy enough to know this is the season of PG-13 and family-friendliness.
Lights!
Jesus entered a bleak and broken world at night, or at least that is how his birth is portrayed. It’s easy to forget that virtually every winter display involving light across the entire world originated in honor to Him. They may have forgotten this in some places. Vienna’s Rathausplatz and Gothenberg’s harbor of lights are not directly religious, but all citizens know the reason for the annual dazzle.
In Tokyo, almost every observer of their mammoth Christmas displays are Buddhist, and have little idea of the Advent. A few years back, a gold-drenched Christmas tree retailing for $10,000,000 gave their gilded Buddhas a run for their money. But the image and feeling remains: a blaze of glory in the darkness, joy, festivities and unearned generosity. They learn this about our religion through only decorations, carols and artwork.
In a sense, serious and vocal Christians are just as under-represented in Western institutions of art. Christmas is the only time we are invited to art venues for something related to our faith. With our values under fire, we may be tempted to settle down for a long winter’s week in isolation, and occasionally lifting a crucifix to ward off evil cultural influence. But where is that getting us? If true believers won’t support the efforts of artists for Christmas, how will we expect them to continue?
It’s the season of secular toleration, where our faith is seen and heard. If we care to keep Christmas in the public square, we’ll take advantage of this seasonal détente and just show up somewhere. Perhaps we will spend some money, buy art or just join the throng and enjoy a performance in a church or city hall. Let’s support those who entertain us, as we consume the darkness with our bright news.
