would Christmas be different?

Whew! What a busy day! This isn't going to be very long, seeing as how it's 11:15 and I've got to be up early tomorrow to go photograph a friend's wedding! Speaking of which... I better make sure my batteries are charged... Hmmm....

This afternoon, I was babysitting for a family from Heritage whose parents are both super-involved with Watoto Church here in Uganda. Dawn is the Creative Director and Doug is one of the Worship Leaders for the different teams the church has. Tonight, their kids and I had a special opportunity to go to one of the shows of the Watoto Christmas Cantata - playing yesterday through Thursday. They're performing something like 30 shows in 7 days!

Dawn and Doug have actually two-handedly (does that make any sense?) created and managed the entire Cantata production. I was so amazed at what they were able to do, not only with the lighting and costumes and dancing, but also the MUSIC!!!

Here's a chorus from one of the songs for you to watch. Isn't it neat?

Dawn also wrote and arranged two of the songs in the production, one of which was a ballad that she and Doug sang together. It was so moving, I was definitely tearing up. Their youngest daughter, Mileana, who's in Kindergarten, looked up and asked, "What's wrong? It's just Mommy and Daddy." :)

I can't remember the exact lyrics, and don't want to butcher them with an attempt, but the theme was asking the question, "Would Christmas be any different if Jesus weren't a part of it?" Which made me think... Would MY Christmas be different? How am I showing Christ's love? Do people see the JOY and Thanksgiving I have for the One who came for me to this world?? Do I greet others with warmth and glad tidings? Have I shared the "reason for the season" with anyone?

Think about it...

Would your Christmas be different if Jesus weren't a part of it?

Or would we do the same things we're doing now?

Anyway, bed time. Thank you, God, for the blessing of your Son. Thank you, Jesus, for willingly leaving your throne and taking the form of a babe, coming to save me, in full knowledge of what Your Cup was going to have in store... Thank you.