"The Letter"

Westside Church in Omaha is one of the nicest church's in the Omaha metro. It is large and has a huge worship area which includes a balcony to accommodate the many people that attend.

I've never been there for worship but I have been there for several other events. This one and this one. The stage is bigger than any I've ever seen in a church. The sound system is awesome and they even have large video camera on a boom that they can move around to get the best position for taping possible, depending on what's happening and where it's happening on the stage or in the audience.

Now I suppose you've already figured out where all this is going. Last night (December 11TH) I attended the church once again but this time it was to see the annual Christmas Pageant that has become so well known and popular throughout Omaha and the surrounding communities. I work with a lady that attends the church and she was able to get tickets to the pageant. I went with another girl from work, Lisa. This year it's called "The Letter." From what I've been told, the story is told each year but in a different way.

This year it was told like this:
The good old days....recollections and events of Christmas past that continue to shape Christmas today. Memories of a South Pacific Island in 1942, of a friend giving his all, a husband home safe and sound. Meet a multi-generational family living life together in the busyness and excitement
of a Christmas Eve day.....until a letter arrives from the past that changes everything for the future.

For this story, live animals are brought into the church. I'm not just talking about cows or horses. There were two huge camels that were escorted down one aisle and back up another. Following them was a man with pooper scooper supplies! But I'm not sure he had to work too much. There was also a donkey, a couple of lambs, and some bunnies. (not sure why the bunnies were included) It was like being in Jerusalem.

Part of the story had soldiers that were discussing being home for Christmas. They even had a few very loud fire works go off inside the church! It scared me and I can't imagine what the elderly went through after they went off!

Above the audience angels came floating down from the balcony to the stage and came down to earth. Later in the performance, and from another side of the stage, 3 other angels came floating above the crowd to hover over head and tell the story. The church has 2 zip lines and it looked very real to see the angels soring above. I wish I could have taken other photos during the performance. But it wasn't allowed. It was a very moving show.

The music was beautiful and the acting superb. Everyone involved in the entire production was a volunteer. The costumes and decorations were unbelievable. My writing about it does no justice to just how awesome it truly was.

There are two big screens in the church that show a closeup of what's happening during the performance. Before the show started, the screens were showing all the sponsors of the night.

The set was set up with very meticulous detail.

Here it is again in color.

The far left of the stage was where a family told the story. A Grandfather that had come home from the war in 1942, his great-grandkids with their TVs, lap top computer and a cell phone the Grandpa doesn't understand, and their Mom wishing her husband would make it home in time for Christmas from the service.

I can't wait for next year's program. People I work with have attended in the years past and have told me that it's a great show every time they go. From what I understand, once the current show is completed at Christmas, they begin writing and planning the program for the next year. It's a long process.

Seeing these types of performances definitely makes you remember why we live the great lives that we do. Christmas is the time to stop the daily routines and take time to focus on spiritual gratitude. I hope you have a blessed Christmas and a safe holiday in your travels.