Maranatha Christmas Program 2007
The Nelson family opens gifts together in the Maranatha
Christian
Academy production of the Christmas musical “His Very Own
Star.”
On December 18th students at Maranatha
Christian Academy performed the Christmas musical “His Very
Own Star” before a large crowd at Heartland Baptist Church.
The production alternated between character dialogues and
monologues and songs performed by the students, telling the
story of a multi-generational Christmas at the Nelson home.
The story centered around the family traditions at the
Nelson’s and their reflections upon the first Christmas
when the star of Bethlehem announced the birth of the
Christ child. Family traditions at the Nelson’s included
the sharing of gifts, eating Aunt June’s famous cinnamon
rolls, and the always difficult task of giving Grandpa
Nelson a gift which he wasn’t able to guess before he
opened it. This year the family was able to successfully
stump Grandpa Nelson with one gift by naming a star after
him. But the real message, even to Grandpa Nelson, was how
Jesus Christ, whose birth was announced by His very own
star, came to save men from their sins. It is recorded in
the gospel of Matthew: “Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold,
magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is
He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star
in the east, and have come to worship him’...And having
heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star,
which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until
it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they
saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And
they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His
mother; and they fell down and worshipped Him; and opening
their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and
frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:1-2 & 9-11). And of
the angel’s announcement to Joseph regarding Mary and the
Christ child, the angel said: “And she will bear a Son; and
you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save
His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
Students who had speaking parts included Ian Nichols as
Grandpa Nelson, Irene Nickerson as Grandma Nelson, Lauren
Stuart as Janet, Jeremy Murray as Chris, Brandon Windus as
young father, and Hannah Nichols as Aunt June. All other
students who participated in the program portrayed members
of the Nelson family with baby Jael Newman appearing as the
newest member of the Nelson clan. There were opening skits
performed by Lauren Stuart, Brandon Windus, Drew Reis, and
Ian Nichols, members of the high school speech class.
Following the program members of the audience were honored
as guests in the Nelson home, and each family attending was
given a Christmas ornament with “MCA” and the year “2007”
inscribed on it. The ornaments were made by Maranatha
parent Lynita Stuart. A reception with a bountiful
assortment of Christmas cookies, cheesecakes, and pies
followed the program. The musical was directed by Maranatha
teachers Jennifer Anderson and Joel Newman.
The students also performed selections from the musical for
the Heartland Baptist Church Silver Anchors luncheon, and
the day following the program, presented all the musical
selections to the residents of The Abington on Grand.
The following photos and quick time movies are taken from
the Maranatha Christian Academy production of “His Very Own
Star.” The date and time that appears in the lower left
corners of the pictures is incorrect. The photos were taken
the evening of November 18, 2007.
Young father (Brandon Windus) tells baby Jael about
Christmas.
Maranatha students perform the song “No Room”
Grandpa Nelson (Ian Nichols) explains how he was able to
guess what his gifts were and tells about Jesus’ very own star.
Grandma Nelson (Irene Nickerson) welcomes all to the Nelson
household for Christmas.
Aunt June (Hannah Nichols) tells about Grandpa Nelson’s gift.
“Cradle Song” featuring soloist Brandon Windus