Today I am breaking the blog silence by praising Disneyland. Surprised, many of you are, I know, but stay tuned for a few minutes here. Rebecca and I took a quick trip last week to Walt’s wonderland, the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. We did all the regular things, sans kiddos. Something unique though: one of the nights we sat and watched Disneyland’s Candlelight Procession.
The Candlelight Procession is nothing fancy for December: large choirs singing Christmas carols, lots of people holding fake candles, and a celebrity reading a story. The unique part for me, and the part that finally helped me to feel the Christmas spirit this year, was the fact that the story that was read, was none other than the Christmas Story from the bible. Up to this point, I wasn’t feeling very “Christmasy.” Despite the amazing decor all over Disneyland, and the huge tree on main street, my Christmasness just wasn’t materializing.
Disney’s Candlelight processional was amazing, and not just because it was Edward James Olmos doing the reading, but because they blasted it as loud as could be. They did not hide the fact that we celebrate Christmas because of the birth of the Savior. The carols that were sung were all the classics from any hymnal: What Child Is This, O Little Town of Bethlehem' Angles We Have Heard on High, etc. The bible story was right out of the Bible, granted not the King James version, probably the new Mickey Translation, but it was still the bible story.
This experience impressed me because in a world that is trying its best to hide the Savior and teachings of the Savior from public view, Disneyland is belting it out as loud as can be every single night in December. Our world is focused on the commercialness of Christmas, yet Edward James Olmos Stood and Delivered the Bible Christmas story with pride and feeling. And near the conclusion, all in attendance sang Silent Night. Thank you once again, Disneyland. To see one of the Candlelight Processionals, go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LjKHVtBkL0