Today we celebrated the spirit of Christmas traditions, and as we took our seats for the annual Christmas production, I couldn’t help but drift back to where it all started for me—way back when I was a kid sitting next to my grandparents.
My Grandpa was a preacher, which meant Christmas season came with front-row access to one of the biggest productions around: the Living Christmas Tree. If you’ve never seen one, picture a massive structure filled with choir members, all in robes, singing Christmas songs with everything from live animals to full nativity storytelling. As a kid, it felt like VIP seating at a Broadway show, simply because Grandpa knew everyone. And yes—this absolutely dates me because all the choir members were in full robes inside the tree. Man, I’m getting old.
But it was magical. It set the tone for the season in a way I didn’t fully appreciate until years later when I had kids of my own.
Carrying the Tradition Forward
Here in our area, we’re fortunate—we have one of the best Christmas productions anywhere. I honestly don’t know how many years we’ve been going to the Northwoods show, but every single time I walk in, I’m a kid again… except now I get to experience it through my children’s eyes.
Truthfully, I almost forgot about it this year until my son called and said,
“Dad… tickets are running out.”
That was it—full Dad Mode activated.
Time to grab the “couch computer” (yes, it’s a real thing) and get serious. Weekends were completely booked, so I kept scrolling through dates until finally I landed on today at 7 p.m. Good enough. Booked.
After a long chaotic day at work—and wearing one of my Hardaddy Christmas shirts featuring Rudolph, the Misfit Toys, and the Yeti Bumble—I decided maybe I should switch to something a little more “family picture appropriate.” Then it was Taco Tuesday time, because… priorities.
Was it rushed? Yep. Did we make it before the doors opened? Also yep.
With us tonight were:
Me, my wife, Jacob, Kalynne, Rebekah, and my favorite mother-in-law.
(My youngest is still at Iowa State and heading home soon.)
Thankfully, Kalynne has the spiritual gift of “finding perfect seats,” and within seconds we were locked in with a great view. Bathroom break? Check. Settled in? Check. And then—surprise—some sweet lady starts handing out sugar cookies. Everyone grabbed one except me. I’m serious about losing this weight. I know I’ll slip somewhere along the way, but a win is a win.
Let the Show Begin
The show kicked off with a DJ, high-energy music, and giant inflatable beach balls bouncing around the crowd. It’s impossible not to laugh when a beach ball the size of a Volkswagon is floating over your head.
Then things slowed to a warm, musical tone… until a performer came out doing aerial silks—graceful, elegant, effortless. Meanwhile, if I tried that, we’d have the fire department rescuing me from being tied in a human pretzel 70 feet up. But she was incredible, and my mother-in-law was on the edge of her seat.
The dancers? Amazing. Everywhere—even in the aisles.
Then came “The Little Drummer Boy,” and drummers literally descended from the ceiling.
Next up: a rapper.
Now, I’m from Cali—I appreciate good rap—and this guy nailed every line. If he capped it off with a little breakdancing, I wouldn’t have complained.
Later, the aerial performer returned with a partner, and the two of them lifted into the air like a scene from an old-school Chinese movie—except this wasn’t CGI. This was the real deal.
More singers. More acrobats. More beauty. And then… the message.
A Reminder of Joy
The heart of the night centered on Luke 2:10–11:
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”
We get so busy this time of year that we forget:
We are supposed to have joy.
I talked about this recently with my oldest—how sometimes joy feels hard to grab onto. But the truth is, we are sons and daughters of a King. That makes us royalty. And God chose to bless us in a way no one expected… by sending a Savior.
How lucky are we?
There’s a lot of darkness out there, no doubt. But the world changes—even a little—when we look up more often, when we build a relationship with God instead of leaning on things that disappear the second we close our eyes.
When God blesses us, we should use that blessing to lift someone else.
It’s addictive. Seriously.
Blessing others gives you a feeling no earthly thing can match.
And who knows? Your simple act of kindness may be the only Bible someone ever “reads.”
So go out there.
Be a light.
Be a blessing.
And be joyful.
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