Monday, December 22, 2008

A Baby's Cry

The scholars explain the Scriptures to Andre, while the innkeeper listens and in the house on the far side of the stage, a mother rocks her baby son. 

Our church presented its annual Christmas program last night, despite the wind and drifting snow that threatened to close the road. Bruce Byler wrote and directed "A Baby's Cry." He was assisted by his daughter Kendra, and most of the congregation was involved. 

The rendition of the Christmas story centered on Andre, the fictional Roman soldier who guarded the Bethlehem gate and collected Caesar's taxes. As lines of people drop coins into Andre's outstretched hand, a young man and his pregnant wife also make their way through the ancient gates. There is no room for them in the inn, and that night a baby is born and placed in a manger. 

Andre watches the story unfold as first a pair of young shepherds disturb the night with their tale of angels on the hillside. Then scholars following a star appear at the gate seeking the Jewish King and Savior. These wisemen show Andre from the Scripture that the promise is not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles--for scholars and soldiers. In the final scene, a special detachment from Herod arrives in Bethlehem to find and kill all the boy babies. This time Andre refuses to participate, despite the soldier's threats. Andre declares that his allegiance is no longer to Rome, but to a baby.  

Phillip, one of the shepherds, insisted that he and his friend Aquila did see angels over the Bethlehem fields. 

Andre guarding the Bethlehem gate during the third watch of the night.

A young shepherd waits for the program to begin.

Mary, with her baby cradled in her arms, hurries past a mirror in the Sunday school room turned dressing room, before the program begins.

After witnessing the miraculous birth of a baby and the faith of the shepherds, scholars and Joseph and Mary, Andre realizes his allegiance no longer belongs to Caesar and Rome. 

4 comments:

  1. Wish we could have been there, I'm sure everyone did a great job. It looks like a lot of work went into it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing, Amy. This will always be remembered, especially by the ones who took part in it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow!...memories!
    Wish we could have been there!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Costumes look great....sorry I missed it

    ReplyDelete