December 8, 2021 – Music, Drama, and More: Fine Arts for the Holidays

Hey, Mama!

Gena Suarez, Publisher of TOS

Make Your Christmas Beautiful (Like You)!

Hey Mama, please stop sighing? Yeah, you’re no spring chicken anymore. Face it. Those thunder thighs go well with Christmas. And the hair: actually, the hair isn’t bad. Maybe a few highlights would give it some lift. But really. Buck up. You already know you’re getting a wee bit older by the minute. Let’s go over some more facts while we’re fixated on the mirror (or we could always toss that wretched glass—that troublemaker). Here goes.

Let’s talk truths:

1. Real, long-lasting beauty comes from within. It’s the heart that produces it, and unlike physical beauty which fades, the truest beauty only grows into something big and undeniable. It takes over, and it’s what you are remembered for later, long after you are gone.
2. Unlike hair dye, wisdom doesn’t come out of a bottle. It is dispensed by God Himself, and you often find yourself asking for it. And because you love the Lord, you know exactly where to find it. God’s word. It’s your map, your lifeline. It’s His very speaking to you. Wisdom is alive in the Mama who endures. You face your trials with joy and confidence, and the result is to be more like Christ by the day. Yes, you cry. You even shake. Yes, you feel like quitting at times. But you recognize the Voice of your Sustainer. He will never leave you, so you press into Him further, and you keep walking, Mama. He will never leave you. 
3. Grace—it is found in you, Mama, because of Him. He gives it, and you turn around and bless others. Do not despair. After all, you are wearing His grace. Wear it well. It’s yours. 
4. Your children. You can see with certainty how blessed you really are. Look around your home. See who God has given you. Know in your heart of hearts there is a plan and purpose here. One day they will rise up and call you blessed. It may not be today. But we have our eyes fixed on the long term. Run the race well. Do not drop the bar; keep the standard high, because they will remember you for it. Brave Mama, don’t drop that bar.

But for now, enjoy those sweet children. They love to sing with you—especially this time of year when Christmas music is blasting from the radio. They love to put on plays/skits for you. All it takes are some well-placed sheets and a baby doll, and you have your own little Mary and Joseph with their baby Jesus. Grab a pot and some spoons, and you can add a little drummer boy to the mix. And let’s not forget the angels and the three kings. With some construction paper, poster board, glue, wire, garland (and a little ingenuity) your kids can make angel wings and halos and crowns and perform their own little Christmas pageant just for you. Take pictures! Roll the video. What a gift. A memory you’ll always treasure.

And as you smile at them and applaud their performance, your children look at you like you are the most beautiful woman to walk the planet. In their eyes, you are stunning. Just consider the way your babies have gazed at you; they think you are gorgeous – and you are. Pure beauty. Inside and out, Mama. Goodness, it appears that mirror we spoke of earlier has very little significance after all, doesn’t it? And what does have significance? Jesus. Our great God and savior. Born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give us second birth.

These articles from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine are a good reminder of that.

Keeping Christ in Christmas – Being Organized Helps by Malia Russell
7 Ways for Dads to Teach Spiritual Lessons During the Holidays by Rhett H. Wilson
Ideas for Writing Christmas Letters That People Are Actually Eager to Read by Janet Colbrunn

And remember, Mama . . .

You. Are. Loved.

Walk with confidence in the path set before you because it’s of Him. His will. That’s where the Lord wants you.

As for today? His hand is on your head.

gena

MUSIC IN EDUCATION – ICING OR CAKE?

Did you know that music is the only thing that engages every chamber of the brain? For decades the place of music in education has been on the decline – limited to a tiny percentage of students identified as “musically inclined.” It was considered an “extra” and not an “essential.”

Neuroscience is documenting how wrong this concept is. We are learning that all children have music inside – and when taught in a positive, interactive, and dynamic environment, can access the enormous benefits that music provides.

Consider:

• Music facilitates literacy
• Music increases math skills
• Music improves language skills
• Children that are involved in music learning score higher on tests
• Music builds social skills and relational health, and develops critical thinking skills and imagination

The question is NOT “Is a child musical?” The question is “HOW is the child musical?” The question is NOT “Can this child learn music?” The question is, “CAN I teach the way this child learns music?”

The time has come for education to understand the essential nature of music in the life of a child – not to make him or her into a professional musician – but to empower them for life!

Musedics – an ensemble approach to choir and instruments – believes that all children have music inside – and when discovered and developed in a positive and engaging environment instills dignity, hope and self-confidence.

CONNIE FORTUNATO is the founder and president of Music Camp International, an international, children’s charity devoted to transforming children, communities and countries through the power of music. In MCI’s nineteen-year history, Connie has worked with over thirty-thousand children throughout Eastern Europe, and now is expanding globally to bring these opportunities to young people in the United States. Registration is now open for her Virtual Christmas Music Camp – Season of Joy https://musiccampinternational.org/virtual-camps/ and the second semester of Musedics. https://musiccampinternational.org/musedics/

Everything you need to teach music at home! Visit alfred.com and use promo code MUSIC21 to receive a 25% discount and free shipping through Dec. 31, 2021.

Raising Real Men

Hal & Melanie Young, RaisingRealMen.com

Lift Up Your Voice to the Lord!

Music? Drama? Fine Arts? For a lot of us, it feels like we’re doing good if we can manage to get math and English done! That’s what’s so great about homeschooling in the holidays, though. There are enrichment opportunities all around, even if it’s harder to get the day-to-day work done.

Have you ever been to a sing-along Messiah? In our area, a big church hosts one every year. Attendees sit according to their singing voice (children sit with parents), sheet music is passed out, and the whole audience is invited to sing along with the choir and orchestra. It is an incredible experience singing Handel’s Messiah, full of the Word of God and telling the greatest story ever told!

There are also opportunities to participate in Christmas plays and performances. It’s stressful taking on practices and rehearsals in an already busy Christmas season, but this is a way for your kids to get music and drama experience in a time-limited way. You know you’re not going to be doing this forever, or even all year.

Even if participation seems like too much (to be honest, that’s usually where we land), your family can get a lot out of just attending those performances, especially if you talk about them afterward.

The easiest way to bring music and art into your home at the holidays, though, is to just do it.

We choose a Christmas carol, a real Christmas hymn, each week. We sing it all the way through every day and each day we explain one of the verses. So many of them are rich in theological truths! We try to look for fine art that illustrates the part of the story told in the song.

You can do that, too, but without the search for art and looking up all the passages. We wrote Christ-Centered Advent, a family devotional based on Christmas carols. You can find it on our site here: https://www.raisingrealmen.com/product-category/home-and-holidays/ . Use the code holidaybook15 for 15% off!

Merry Christmas!

Hal & Melanie

Stephen Burke

Pillar of Hope
Stephen Burke – Christmas Productions Can Be Life-Changing

A church Christmas play, no big deal. But as a 5-year-old with a walk-on role, that play changed my life. The director had no idea that through this simple production, my lifelong love of theater and calling as a playwright/director would begin. So, as you are working with your Christmas production, remember you are changing lives! And what is more world changing than a good story? The success of your production starts with the script.

Choose a play that is enjoyable. Sounds obvious, but I’ve sat through “educational” plays that brought me no pleasure and taught me nothing. Choose something your actors and your audience will enjoy! A good play will also challenge the audience’s intellect and stimulate their imagination. Don’t be afraid to give your group something to think about and discuss. Choose a play with a positive mood. Remember your actors will dwell on this story; avoid dark subject matter. Choose a play that will leave them feeling inspired and hopeful. Most importantly choose a play that points the audience to God and the truths of His word.

Here are some places to find good plays for your group:

www.shininglightplayers.com
www.theacademyofarts.org
www.pensacolachristiantheatrefestival.com

About the author

Stephen Joseph Burke, Artistic Director of Shining Light Players, together with his wife Alisha and their four children, produces plays and musicals at the Rex Theatre in Pensacola, FL, and through national tours. Stephen has written fourteen musicals and directed thirty productions. Stephen holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in performance, and an MFA in dramatics and has acted professionally on the stage, in film and on television. Stephen teaches online lessons in acting, writing and directing.  Visit www.shininglightplayers.com for information.