Missing the Pageant

Today felt like Saturday. I zoomed my way right through a school zone because I totally forgot it was a weekday. Woops.

But tonight, as I have given extra thought to the reason we observe Good Friday, I have missed the Pageant. The Easter Pageant, that is.

I've written about it before, but in case you're new to my blog, here's the synopsis. For years here in Marion, the community presented an Easter Pageant to portray the Holy Week, Jesus' death and resurrection.

My first time to be in it, I was in utero. I don't remember much about that. I was just short of three years old the next time I was in it...and I participated every year after until it stopped production when I was in my mid-twenties.

And Easter hasn't seemed like Easter since.

Tonight would have been a performance night, and right about now I'd be in the shower trying to scrub off dark brown makeup from my arms and face. (Not to mention fetching blue eyeshadow and deep brown lipstick. Oh yes. Fetching.) Instead I'm curled up on the couch ready to share these pictures with you.

Until the very end when attendance waned, this was the type of view you could see if you drove past the Coliseum where the pageant was held. Lines started early and tickets were sought after. (The performance "stage" was the entire basketball floor of the Coliseum, along with the actual stage at the end of it, and the audience sat in the bleachers all around.)

The Pageant didn't have a script of spoken word. The story was told entirely through music, provided by a choir and orchestra. I have the whole thing memorized. Love singing it.

Sorry these next few pictures are in a very random order. Issues with the album. This was one of the most spectacular sights of the whole pageant. I never saw it until I was in my twenties. The role I played prior to that had me backstage during this part, but I remember the first year I had a new part and got to see this live. Breathtaking. The curtain came up to this sight, and then they broke the scene to take communion and returned to this as the curtain went down.

The year I saw the Last Supper for the first time was also the first time I got to watch the resurrection scene. Very moving. The tomb would be dark when the women first arrived and then the light came on and the angel appeared.

In the pageant, we called Jesus "the Christus" - and he was always in costume, even in early rehearsals when everyone else wore regular clothing. He was always portrayed by a member of the clergy.

Judas accepting 30 pieces of silver in exchange for his betrayal.

Silent before His accusers.

Agonizing in the garden.

The crowd shouting for crucifixion as Pilate deliberates with his counselors.

He bore our sins and our sorrows.

Take this cup and drink...

Going into the garden to pray...

Today (and all days) I'm thankful for His sacrifice.