“O, what fun it is to ride in the church bus, singing all the way”

              “Here, sit by me”

                           “Everybody buckled?”

                                         “When will we get there?”

     That was some of what we heard as the Trinity Friendship Club loaded the church bus and headed out to the annual Festival of Lights at Calvary Church on December 1.  We were packed to the gills with standing room only in the church bus while some of the Friendship mentors drove in a second car, and even some of our students rode in their Adult Foster Care (AFC) van.  We were excited and ready to see a Christmas show...

     For the past two years Friendship Clubs and area AFC’s throughout Kent County have been invited free-of-charge to the dress rehearsal performance of the Festival of Lights.  Our students and mentors alike love the outing: the music, the lights, and the community of people who share a love for coming alongside those who live with impairments.  No one was disappointed in the performance this year.  There was a very audible and pervasive, “Awwwwwwww........” throughout the audience when the real live “Christ-child” was brought out on stage, cradled lovingly by Mary and Joseph, and seated in the cattle stall.  What a priceless sigh by all who heard it.

     This year’s musical was entitled, “The Bagman and the King.”  The quaint town of Brampton was expecting a holiday visit from the “King.”  When a poor beggar carrying a burlap bag arrived in town, the townspeople were so busy making ornate preparations for the “King” that no one had time, food, lodging, hospitality or an extra coat for the odd and unkempt visitor.  Liturgical dances, parlor dances, carols and elaborate decorations fill the homes and streets of Brampton on Christmas Eve.  Finally, at the feet of the Christ child, the Bagman reaches into the shabby burlap bag and removes the glittering royal crown, and places it in the manger, thus proclaiming Jesus as the long expected King.  The concluding Alleluia Chorus was a fitting response to the declaration that at last the much anticipated “King” had arrived in Brampton.

     There was no one standing at the feet of the Christ child, all were bowing before Him and honoring Him as the Promised King.  With chills going up our spines we listened to the glorious choir, soloist, and orchestra. Friendship friends and mentors thoroughly enjoyed the inspiring night at Festival of Lights. But, only those who rode in the bus got the cookies.

     What a great way to get into the Christ-centered Christmas spirit—the coming of the King!   Happy New Year from your Friendship Friends!        

~contributed by Laura Koning and Dar Grit