By Staff
Holidays like Easter and Christmas become so much more special when community groups, churches and other organizations take the time to make them so.
Take Easter, for example. The Terra Ceia Community Choir is presenting its 20th-annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” this evening at 8 p.m. at Washington’s First Baptist Church. In this region, that performance has become as much of a tradition as, well, hunting Easter eggs or attending a sunrise service.
Then there is “The Message of Easter,” an outdoor drama presented in the Farm Life community of Martin County by Piney Grove Baptist Church. It’s also become a tradition after 30 years. The passion play drives home the message of Easter. The last shows of the season are tonight and Sunday at 8 p.m.. A performance in Spanish has been added to the outdoor drama’s run.
The singers and musicians in the “Messiah” are volunteers, as are the performers in “The Message of Easter.” They participate because they want to give something back to the community, not because they are paid. They do it out of love.
And that’s one of the messages of the “Messiah” and “The Message of Easter” — love for one’s fellow man.
In addition to his message of salvation, Jesus also spread the message of loving one another. Christians are familiar with John 3:16 which tells the world that God loved the world so much that he sent his Son, the Christ, to die on the cross to save the people from their sins.
The performances of the “Messiah” and “The Message of Easter” reinforce that message of love accepted by Christians and exposes nonChristians to that message. And in these days and times, that message of love should be a welcome one.
The performers and musicians in these presentations also make sacrifices to bring the “Messiah” and “The Message of Easter” to the community. The give up their time to rehearse so the performances are of the best quality possible. Don’t forget the behind-the-scenes people who are kept busy making costumes, taking care of props and painting scenery.
The community can return that love to the performers, singers and musicians by attending the performances tonight and tomorrow.