 |
On Wednesday, December 17, 2014 the K-3 students of IHMS took an appreciative concert audience on an imaginary journey around the world with their presentation of “Around the World at Christmas Time”. | |
.
 |
| The Nativity scene at the end of the concert |
.
|
.
 |
| The stage for “Around the World at Christmas Time” |
.
| Parents and relatives unable to attend the evening show were happy for the opportunity to attend the matinee performance, which was identical to the evening show but a lot less crowded! Both concerts took place in the school gymnasium, which had been set up with a large stage, bleachers, and professional lighting and sound equipment. |  |
.
 |
| The play was introduced by grade 7 student Nina H. |
.
|
.
| As is the case with all K-3 concerts, “Around the World at Christmas Time” was a musical play. The story centers around a child (played by Julian B.) with an assignment to write about Christmas traditions in different countries around the world. |
.
 |
 |
| The child with an assignment to write about Christmas traditions around the world (top photo) and discussing it with his siblings (bottom photo) |
.
|
After discussing the matter with his 2 sisters (played by Taliyah K. and Kennedy S.) and two younger brothers (played by Dennis D. and Nicholas M.), he decides that his best source of information is his Baba (played by Mady L.). Since Baba has been all over the world, she would be the perfect person to help with the project. |
.
 |
| The well travelled Baba surrounded by her grandchildren |
.
|
After a quick phone call, Baba arrives with her collection of travel albums, postcards, pictures, and brochures. She begins with Germany, and explains that the tradition of the Christmas tree began in Germany. Candles (or string lights) added to the tree were meant to emphasize that Jesus is the light of the world. Other traditions from Germany were making gingerbread houses, decorating the tree with beautiful blown glass ornaments, and the glass “Christmas pickle”!
.
 |
  |
 |
| German traditions at Christmas performed by the grade 3 class |
.
|
The next country that Baba talks about is Great Britain, which is especially well known for its carols, such as “Deck the Halls”, and poetry. Hanging mistletoe also comes from Great Britain, and when you stand under the mistletoe, someone has to give you a kiss!
.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| British traditions at Christmas performed by the grade 2 class |
.
|
| Although the children find it difficult to believe, Baba tells them that Christmas is also celebrated in tropical locations such as Hawaii. She reminds them that there was no snow where Jesus was born. In Hawaii, people use leis or flowers to decorate their Christmas trees as well as beautiful starfish and seashells. |
.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Hawaiian traditions at Christmas performed by the kindergarten class |
.
|
The next stop is sunny Mexico, where we get the tradition of decorating our homes with poinsettias at Christmas time. Baba explained, however, that the “posada” is her favorite Mexican Christmas tradition. Nine days before Christmas, Mexican families, led by children holding figures of Mary and Joseph go from house to house asking for lodging just like Mary and Joseph did on their journey to Bethlehem. They are turned down repeatedly just like Mary and Joseph until they reach the house picked for the night’s posada. There they are invited in, and after a prayer, they celebrate with singing, dancing, eating, and fireworks. For the children, the best part of the evening is when the pinata comes out!
.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Mexican traditions at Christmas performed by the grade 1 class |
.
|
The next country that Baba discusses is Poland, Ukraine’s next door neighbour. Although Ukraine and Poland share many of the same traditions, there are a few, like the “oplatki” that are specific to Poland. Oplatki are small white wafers blessed by a priest with a stamp of the nativity scene on them. They are shared on Christmas Eve, and are meant to remind the people of the true meaning of Christmas.
.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Poland featured Mary, Joseph, and the K-3 choir singing a Christmas lullaby |
.
|
In France, Baba explains, every family has a “creche” or manger scene on display in their home. The display has painted figurines of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the wise men, and all the stable animals. The stable animals are always included because they were the first living creatures to witness the birth of Jesus.
.
 |
  |
  |
 |
| The Nativity scene continues in France with the “friendly beasts” |
.
|
The last country on the agenda is Denmark, where Christmas Eve is the most important day of the Christmas season. Candles, singing, and feasting are a big part of the celebrations. In Denmark, candles are a message to strangers that they are welcome to come in and enjoy the food, shelter and warmth of friendship.
.
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Denmark was the last stop, which also featured the Three Kings |
.
| In the final scene, Baba concludes the imaginative journey around the world by reminding her grandchildren of the true meaning of Christmas – sharing and celebrating the good news of Jesus’ birth. The children realize that although regional customs may vary, there are certain aspects about Christmas that are common everywhere. These traditions include love, family, friendship, giving, hope, and peace – the things that create the Christmas spirit felt around the world. |  |
.
 |
| Baba reminding her grandchildren of the true meaning of Christmas |
.
The concert was a great success due to the hard work and dedication of a lot of people. Of course, the cast members spent a lot of time practising and memorizing their scripts. Remember, this is a big job for the cast members because they’re only in grades 1 to 3! Their dedication paid off, and they did a fantastic job!
.
 |
| Mr. Picklyk congratulating the cast at the end of the concert |
.
Also, a special “thank you” to all the teachers, especially the school’s music teacher, Mrs. Stanowych, who organized the concert and prepared the students for all the songs.
|
|
Special thanks also goes to the concert’s cast director, Mrs. Walkow. For the past few weeks, both Mrs. Walkow and Mrs. Stanowych sacrificed many hours practising with the students and perfecting the script. It was because of them that the concert was such a great success! |
 |
.
 |
Professionally filmed DVD”s of “Around the World at Christmas Time” will be available for purchase through the school office. |  |