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Photos:  Joe; Webpage:  Ruth & Joe

We rushed an hour in rush-hour traffic for Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church’s fourth annual performance December 15, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. Twice for two days, period-dressed characters & live animals present an interactive outdoor Christmas story with music, special lighting, and props. A straw path lined with luminarias connects to the Fellowship Hall adorned with tables of mouth-watering delicacies, where between performances an array of friendly “Bethlehem townfolk” serve hot mulled cider, hot chocolate, & bubbly sherbet punch.

Free, no donations accepted. This was our first visit to their presentation and we loved every minute.

Joe drove us back to town, ending up at our choir’s Christmas party carrying still-warm 100% whole wheat bread I baked that afternoon.

To start the week I drove, with the temperature in the teens, to play flute with the children’s choir for the 8:30 worship at church and sing in the adult choir, then fixed lunch for when Joe came in from the 11:00 service. That afternoon we were awed as First Baptist Church presented "Extreme Makeover: Bethlehem Edition", a hilarious, touching drama featuring a full choir & orchestra to re-tell Christ’s nativity in majestic, glorious scenes.

First Baptist Church offered free tickets (704.375.1446), 301 S. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28231-1046.

We drove from there to a wonderful "Christmas with Khrushchev", St. Mark’s youth dinner theater presentation written and directed by Burton Bumgarner. Visit St. Mark’s ELCA (704.375.9185), 1001 Queens Road, Charlotte.