How the times do change! A child of the 1950s, I recall when decorating trees, shopping for gifts, roasting marshmallows over a roaring fire, and family Christmas traditions emerged in early and mid-December. It was a short season of a sweet (and often simple) time for family and friends to pause and celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Nowadays, that simpler era is overwhelmed by the rush to “begin” Christmas in the early fall. A few days ago, I traveled with family members in what seems to have the beginnings of a new annual tradition – an early November visit to Branson, Missouri, where the family entertainment mecca boasts scores of music and drama theaters and other attractions that already feature Christmas productions.
Intro to Branson: Variety
No, it isn’t too late for a family getaway to get everyone into the Christmas spirit. Last week, our first stop was for lunch at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner – a tradition in itself. At Mel’s, not only do we enjoy the food, but as always, we like the servers who alternate between serving tables and strolling through the diner singing – yes, even a few Christmas carols. Mel’s is a must every time we go to town.
The Titanic Museum is another attraction that entertains and informs visitors of all ages. The self-guided tour gives each guest a brief bio of a passenger who was on the great “unsinkable” ship when she sank on April 15, 1912, only four days into her maiden voyage. Each visitor uses a hand-held audio device, so the tour can take as much or as little time as one wishes. For us, it was about 90 minutes.
Presley’s Country Jubilee is a taste of authentic Ozark Mountain music and comedy that generates plenty of laughter. In 1967, the Presley family was the first to open a theater on the now-famed Branson 76 Strip. The show features not only four generations of musicians, but Scott Presley pastors Freedom Fellowship Church, which meets at the theater each Sunday morning.
In the 11th year of a special Branson engagement, the Texas Tenors feature three stellar voices backed by a troupe of Branson singers and dancers. The trio rose to prominence after their appearance on America’s Got Talent 15 years ago, and now they tour worldwide. In their Christmas show, tenor John Hagen sits down in a family group setting to read the Christmas narrative from the Bible.
Icing on the cake: Esther
To my way of thinking, Sight & Sound Theatres (SST) is the crown jewel of all that Branson has to offer. This year’s feature in Branson is Esther, a creative and biblically sound narrative of the heroic Old Testament queen who risked her life to save her people.
Far beyond entertainment, SST is state-of-the-art in every way from a 300-foot wrap-around stage; to revolving 40-foot tall sets; to jaw-dropping special effects; to 45 professional actors; to live and animatronic animals; to its scriptural integrity.
Along the way, Esther subtly reinforces Old Testament principles that foreshadow and illustrate the gospel as fulfilled in the New Testament. For example:
- I will be exalted among the nations. (Psalm 46:10)
- Pride goes before destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)
- Do not fear for I am with you. (Isaiah 41:10)
- We walk by faith and not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The Esther experience is immeasurable and extraordinary in its impact on its audience. Furthermore, at the end of each performance, SST staffers invite guests to come forward for prayer or questions about the gospel.
Need I repeat? It isn’t too late for a family getaway.
