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I believe on this day we were a true threat to Satan, as he threw many obstacles hoping to halt our humble attempt to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Heavy rains the night before forced us indoors for the play. Additionally, because of the mud and standing water, we had to send our live animals home. This meant no camel. Yes, we had a camel. Another obstacle was the challenge to fill all the parts for the play. Our students were so busy with school activities that it became a challenge to find enough willing and able to participate in this historic event for NCS. Lastly, and this one is the clincher, Jane Winne, my favorite encourager and director of the play, needed an emergency appendectomy (Her surgery was a success.).
In spite of these snags, the play was an absolute victory! Satan failed! The participating students were spiritually prepared and honored to remember baby Jesus. We were blessed with a healthy crowd of parents, faculty, and children eager to witness the first live Nativity at Northland Christian. The play came directly from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, so there was nothing fancy, just truth, eternal saving truth.
I was personally moved to watch my own daughter, Harper, play a Shepherd. I must also give props to Mr. Isaiah Philipp, who played the angel, Gabriel. He owned the part! I asked him to don a more masculine-looking angel costume, since Gabriel was a powerful and forbidding messenger of God. Isaiah wore a white three-piece suit with cowboy boots! Fantastic! He boldly proclaimed his lines with authority and confidence.
In closing, I felt the greatest honor in seeing Mrs. Sally Miller in the audience. She has served NCS for over thirty years and was able to witness a long overdue first. I know my prayer is for this remembrance to become an annual occurrence.
Happy birthday, Jesus; we were absolutely privileged to celebrate your birth.
Rich Reaves
NCS Campus Pastor |
