Sunday, December 14, 2008
Twice is Just as Nice :-)
I've been blessed not once, but twice recently with FREE concert tickets from my dear friend, Sunny Side of the Street! Tonight I enjoyed an awesome night of Christmas music from various Christian artists. This concert just happened to include one of my major favorites, Sara Groves. I LOVE her! I also got to hear several new artists, all of which were amazing in their own unique way. Seriously.........there was so much talent on that stage!! Oh yeah, let's not forget that I was included in another photo with a famous band....this time Jars of Clay. I am so grateful to my Sunny Side friend... not only is she a dear friend and great company at a concert, but she has managed to make me aware of CURRENT Christian artists..... and that was no easy feat for this dark ages gal! Thanks for including me, Lisa, and spreading the joy. It was even worth running through the rain for :-)
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I have read of many churches celebrating Christmas with Pageants that include an actual baby portraying the role of 'baby Jesus'. Our first child Ruth, was born December 12th, 1981 and was chosen to be 'baby Jesus' for our church's (Reba Place Fellowship) Christmas Eve service. Last year, our grandson, Charlie, born on Oct. 19th 2008, was chosen, also at Reba Place Fellowship. But in prison no such ritual exists.
I wasn't even thinking about babies being in Christmas plays back in 1972. This was yet another year in prison, the difference being this was my first Christmas as a christian. The Christmas service held new meaning for me as we sang the traditional Christmas Carols bringing with it a hope for a new life with a redeemed future. Christian volunteers were a part of our service at the U. S. Medical Center for Prisoners in Springfield, Mo.
As our service wound to completion a cry was heard. The faint
whimpering of a baby. My first thought was that I wasn't hearing what I thought I had heard. I had been in prison for many years and had never even seen a baby inside of a prison (not counting my infrequent times in the visiting room.) But there it was again, a baby crying. Someone, a volunteer, had brought their baby into the service wrapped in a blanket unnoticed by the guards. I then thought, there was our 'baby
Jesus'. The parents of the yet unknown child were the children of an older couple (Lloyd and Nita Colbaugh) who had only a few years previously began their ministry to the prison. Even the great-grandmother, (Mom Carter) was a volunteer and had played a significant role in my own conversion, telling me that God had a plan for my life.
Life would go on and the incident of 'baby Jesus' coming to prison would fade to a memory, until the baby grew up and now is known throughout many countries far and wide as acclaimed Christian
singer/songwriter Sara Groves. John C Thomson
I'm so glad you could go with me! It was a fun evening, and I love, love, love my gifts! You know me so well. They were perfect! Thank you so much.
That's a great story, John. Sara is such a neat person.
John, I am awed and touched by your story. What an amazing Redeemer we have and what a tribute to Sara Groves' family....obviously allowing themselves to be instruments in the Redeemer's hands for many generations.
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