Can it be?
Do we have some Curmudgeons, Grinches and Scrooges?
Tonight, I am left wondering if the Jacksonville I love is filled with a few people whose main intention is to ruin a new and wonderful holiday event called “Living Nativity,” being held by five Jacksonville churches. Tonight was the first night of three, and the first time this event has been staged…it’s possibly a once a year event, but that could change. I am asking myself why a few kill-joys have the right (and desire) to ruin it for thousands?
I am not a “religious” person per se, and have my own spiritual beliefs. I have both a menorah and a Christmas tree. I was interested in this event out of curiosity and as an article for The Jacksonville Review. My husband, Whitman, and I entered the Living Nativity hosted by Bigham Knoll on the lower athletic field. When Mel and Brooke Ashland learned the churches were searching for a place to hold the event, they offered the use of Bigham Knoll at no cost.
As we approached Bigham Knoll, we were not sure what to expect but had our camera in-hand to catch the action. After parking, I saw the lights up close – the beautiful lights on the historic schoolhouse and spotlights in the sky which formed the star of Bethlehem across the field. I saw the actors –school kids and their parents – so wonderfully dressed and acting in their sincere and faithful parts of the scenes of Christmas (out in the cold). Most of them, we learned, live here in Jacksonville. I saw the sheep and donkeys…I was done in and moved to tears because the scene was so beautiful. People were flocking to our town to experience it. City Councilor, Christina Duane was singing Celtic Christmas songs in the ballroom, where people gathered for punch, cookies and caroling. On the way to Bigham Knoll, town was packed, restaurants were full, and people were walking down California Street with full shopping bags. Everyone we passed leaving the event were in awe and appreciative of the effort put forth in such a unique way by a corps of volunteers.
Then my magic was shattered by some Curmudgeons, Scrooges and Grinches. After touring and photographing the scenes, we took notice of the arrival of two Jacksonville Police cars. We learned they had been called to Bigham Knoll in response to a complaint about the spotlights, lodged by “Winterburn’s wife,” a reference to the wife of City Councilor Dan Winterburn. The officers stated that Mrs. Winterburn was “not the instigator” of the complaint.
Can we really be living in a Grinch-town like this, I thought?
To those who appreciate this event and others like it, join me and my husband in saying, “bah humbug” to the Grinches, Scrooges and Curmudgeons of Jacksonville.
Jo,
As I write tonight, I thank you and Whit for serving Jacksonville with all you do and loving this town and the people in it, documenting our history in media. I write as a citizen of Jacksonville and a resident, and not as a Councilperson although the council approved this event last meeting wholeheartedly. I am so thankful to serve this amazing town and it’s people. I echo your sentiments.
Partly because of the joy I saw in the faces of the children and parents dancing and singing in the ball room tonight and partly because I remember one night in historic San Juan Capistrano, that Spanish mission town where the Swallows return every year, where my grown daughter Jessica was asked to portray Mother Mary on a long journey on a donkey with her husband and child as thousands of the people of San Juan Capistrano followed them through the dark streets lit by candles all the way to the manger where the shepherds, wise men, angels and and baby Jesus portrayed by my newborn baby Melody were visited by many passers by. My grandson Isaac was a Wiseman and my reluctant teenager Josh who hated us for making him dress up in a huge crown as he might have been spotted by his peers but now as a father of two completely understands.
It had become a ritual tradition, an historic reenactment, and part of the cultural fabric of the town. Just as many other traditions have been honored and treasured from those who have lived, worshiped and celebrated family life in Jacksonville. I remember last year spending a treasured dinner in MacLevin’s for Passover and enjoying Jewish traditions for Hanukkah. How wonderful to play the dreidel game enjoying special time with family and winning those gold coins! Yes, we share a rich history as represented in our beautiful Cemetery with the Judeo-Christian sections of those who celebrated this season together now being remembered together there.
How beautiful that five of our local churches got together to put something on in a central location under the stars and that families can come out and share an historic event, in an historic place.
I always love singing with those amazing cowboys Sons of the Oregon Trail and sang of my new songs , and especially enjoyed the people who we get to live in this Currier and Ives painting called Jacksonville. Pinch me, am I dreaming? Yes, we really get to live here together.
Christina
Well done, Jo! A few complaints (from a chronic complainer) shouldn’t ruin such a lovely event.
Kathy Pyle
Great piece! Bah Humbug to all Scrooges!
The Living Nativity was a wonderful event! My children had such a lovely time they did not want to leave, and we spent the rest of the evening talking about the meaning of Christmas. And it was not just a great event for families–I was downtown today talking to a couple who came to Jacksonville from California for the weekend, specifically for the event. The gentleman was a minister, and said that he planned to bring a “bus load of people” next year if they did the Navity again because he was so impressed. This translates to a bus load of people staying in Jacksonville, shopping in Jacksonville, and eating in Jacksonville during a time of year when tourism is low. What is there to complain about with that? A few people with loud voices shouldn’t spoil something so wonderful for the town.