Advent signs of silence and darkness…all is in readiness.
As the world busies itself hanging tinsel, shopping sales and stressing, St. Francis of Assisi School in Greenwood, Mississippi took a quiet moment to truly celebrate Christmas in a wholly holy way! The students and staff proudly presented Creation to Christmas: A Musical Jesse Tree, composed by Rosemary Hakim Fedorchuk.
The young ladies of Grades Five and Six opened the evening with a praise dance to You’re Bigger by Jekalyn Carr. The song shared a message of faith shown in the lyrics,
“You’re bigger than the universe, yes you are
You’re bigger than the Sun and the Stars
You’re bigger than, the problems I’ve faced,
You’re bigger, You’re so much bigger Jesus
Than what this life may bring. You’re bigger!”
The 3 and 4 year olds of the Pre-K class helped us consider the wonder of Creation as they sang I Am Wonderfully Made and He’s God the Whole World In His Hands with gusto! Some kindergarteners introduced the concept of Adam and Eve’s first bad choice and the whole school sent out the voice of hope by singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel. As each group unfolded their part of the Jesse Tree story, they hung large hand made symbols on the Jesse Tree. Moving on through salvation history, the Kindergarten brought Noah’s ark to life with animal costumes and a joyful rendition of Who Built the Ark?
As the generations marched on, the Second Grade marched onto stage to do their energized version of Father Abraham. With this song, who needs the gym or a workout?
The stories of Jacob, Joseph and finally Moses followed. The Sixth Grade Class shared a beautiful combination of the Spirituals Let My People Go and Wade In the Water.
They may look like ordinary shepherds, but they are really the First Graders, come to share the stories of Ruth, Jesse and ultimately David. Donning their shepherd garb and harps in hand they shared the lively song Little David, Play On Your Harp.
The ages of history continued to reveal themselves as Grade Five shared story and symbol for Solomon and Ezekiel. They embellished the story with a lovely pairing of Spirituals, Ezekiel Saw the Wheel and Now Let Me Fly.
God’s love story for us now enters the Gospel era with the entrance of John the Baptist and the connection of the Savior to the House of David. Grades Five and Six teamed up to share a Round entitled Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord. The combined classes took a collective deep breath and launched into Mattew’s Begats. You guessed it! The students sang the entire genealogy of Jesus without a pause! Amazing!
At long last the story turns to Joseph and Mary. The members of the Third Grade Class portrayed the Annunciation.
They sang out with clear voices as Mary must have in the song, Magnificat.
As God’s People had waited for generations for the Promised One, our evening came to a climax as the Fourth Graders brought the characters of the Nativity to life. Audience and cast alike raised voices in singing Silent Night.
All the students gathered in glory on the stage to share the joy in the coming of the Savior as their voices celebrated the Caribbean rhythms of the finale, He Came Down.
The now colorful Jesse tree tells the story and shows the glory of the season of waiting, the Season of Advent marked by the love of our God.