It Was A Risk Worth Taking!

Last week Chelsea and I were coming out of 

the Christmas Tree Shoppes store 

when we were met by two Asian men.

They were smiling and issued an invitation

and tickets to an event scheduled for last evening.

The smiling men said it was a Christmas Cantata

produced and performed by a Korean 

Choir.  They assured us it would be well

worth our time.

There wasn't a lot of information about it

other than a large photo book with lots of 

writing in Korean....

which I pointed out that I couldn't read....lol.

I did notice that it was to be held in the smaller theater owned

by Sight and Sound and was fairly certain they wouldn't 

allow anything to happen there that wasn't at least safe.

Interestingly enough, I felt compelled to accept tickets 

for Warren, the moms and I.

Now, remember, the Moms were in Guatemala

at that time so I had no idea what they might

say about going.

But, knowing my Mother's love for other cultures

and especially the Korean people I thought she

would be interested for sure.

You see, when I was a teenager,

we taught Sunday School in a Korean church.

I remember those enthusiastic and smiling 

faces....so earnest in song and when listening to 

the lessons.

We knew of the talent that was possible.

I could only hope that this was something wonderful...

or at the very least tolerable.

Well, it was definitely worthwhile.

The choir rolled into Lancaster yesterday morning

with two semi trucks, several vans and cars....

their bus had broken down in Minnesota.

They set up stages and worked out lighting.

They tuned instruments and ran through their

program on a new stage.

Then we arrived.

We were greeted over and over again

and directed to our seats.

Right up front!

I would be thankful for this later.

Then the program began.

With some teen dancers.

It was cute.

We thought that we could sit through

an evening of aerobics on the stage.

The music was happy Christmas music.

But then came the first of five sets.

An orchestra and choir.

Now, before this had begun the emcee had 

let it be known that every sound we heard was 

live....no recordings of anything.

So...it only now occurred to me that this means 

the choir was singing for the dancers and that the 

orchestra was playing even then.

In our world of recorded music I just assumed

that they were dancing to "canned" music.

There is no way for me to explain to you 

the professionalism of this group.

It was beyond anything I have witnessed live.

The tones were perfect.

Absolutely perfect pitches, breath control and 

instrumental expertise.

I told Warren on the way home that I am not 

easily star struck to the point of wanting to meet 

someone...but I really wanted to shake the hand of the 

conductor.  WOW!!  The music genius there.

Oh.my.goodness!!

They shared the Christmas story in a way that was beautiful

and touching.  I couldn't help but notice that I had never 

seen an all Asian cast performing the Nativity before.

It was beautiful.

They sang songs of hope before and then celebration

after the Christ child was born.

Children of the group members performed

two very adorable dances.

Bringing smiles and laughs by their

antics and then loud applause

and giggles as some of them got caught by the

dropping curtain.  

Too precious!!

There was a very funny sketch about the joy 

of Christmas.

The talents of the group stretched beyond the music.

They can ACT!  

We were laughing so hard at their antics!

Oooh...there is the director.  My hero!

Isn't she sweet?

Made me think of my former music student, Abigail,

who also plays the cello.

We were a much different venue than this group is used

to.  They have sung in the Sydney Opera House and 

Madison Square Gardens.

This was apparently an exploratory event to set up 

for another visit next year.

Am I ever glad we were at the Christmas Tree Shoppes 

when we were.

I'm still trying to wipe the silly grin from my face that 

we were able to enjoy this amazing event.

The message of the gospel was crystal clear 

as they shared in song and then as a Korean Pastor 

from New York preached through an interpreter

to close the evening.

The Gracias Choir is a part of 

International Youth Fellowship.

I'm going to learn more about them....

If you happen to notice that they are coming to 

a city near you....

Please, please take my word for it 

and go.

We were their last stop this year.

But they plan to come back next year.

I can't wait!