Cool, Cool Weekend

The holiday season landed with a bang for me this weekend. Friday night, I saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. It was their "Christmas Eve & Other Stories" production, and it was AWESOME! I have never stood at a concert yelling, "More fire!" Turns out I really like pyrotechnics. Who knew?

I was with a group of about 30 other MAF folks. The music was astounding and the story they tell is all about Jesus coming to earth. I didn't know it until Friday night, but there will be rock opera in heaven. Oh, yeah, and fire and lasers, too :)

I did learn an Idaho lesson Friday evening: Kathie gets WAY too dressed up for things. I dressed to the nines, like I normally do to go see Christmas concerts toward L.A. with my family. Huh. I discovered during my walk from the parking lot to the Idaho Center (a big enough venue to host the Rolling Stones next year, by the way) that most people had dressed up for the evening by wearing their boots instead of their tennis shoes (or vice versa). I determined not to remove my coat unless I found at least four other women wearing heels. Once inside, I did spot a few frilly folk, so I took off my jacket, to the ohs and ahs of my MAF buddies. For Pete's sake, I had even painted my fingernails!

Note to self: Remember that you drive past farms on the way to work. Past farms on the way to concerts. Sheep, horses, cows. Sheep, horses, cows...

Saturday, I saw The Nativity Story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I confess I was a little nervous, as I always am about seeing anything that attempts to portray something Biblical, but I think they did a terrific job with this. No, it's not perfect--there is a lot of story to pack into an hour and forty-one minutes, but the acting is subtle and powerful, and I loved the historical aspects of it. They made the actors spend a month learning how to use first-century tools before they started filming. Even besides the fact that I am in love with this region of the world after working there, this was terrific to watch.

Everyday life and everyday people are what Jesus was born into. And I needed the reminder that there is nothing new under the sun--Herod was a lunatic, propaganda existed even then, people gossip in every century, and faith is enough to allow God into our lives. People missed Him then the way they miss Him now, and my heart was broken again for those who haven't met their Creator who loves them so, so deeply.

Liann sent me the gift of going with a friend to see the movie (Fandango Bucks--too cool!), and it was a wonderful holiday treat and a quiet way to focus on the season.

Plus, the wise men are hilarious. Don't miss them.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!