Group Expedition to Branson

There are many good reasons for traveling in a group, and one of them is that, instead of there being 50 vehicles on the highway, all going to the same destination----there is just one vehicle that carries 50 people! This travel is made especially enjoyable if the vehicle is a luxury motorcoach, such as the one used by First Baptist Church of Mountain Home recently. The photo above also shows another reason for going by motorcoach---the fun and fellowship one can have while being part of a group, who all have the same goal in mind---an enjoyable time visiting with old friends and getting to know new ones!

The Mountain Home group had a delicious lunch in the balcony dining area of the Hughes Brothers Theater in Branson, and then were treated to a delightful Christmas show put on by the talented band of brothers, known simply as SIX. Their show is a "must see" on your next trip to Branson! Following the SIX show, the group headed over to the Hard Luck Cafe for an early supper, with just enough time left to stroll through the huge Christmas store at the Grand Village. As you can see, there was a representative of St. Nickolas strolling the area, despite the bitter cold (as evidenced by the frozen fountain shown in lower part of collage above).

Next the group drove to the somewhat-new-to-Branson theater called "Sight and Sound". The original Sight and Sound Theater has been operating for years in Pennsylvania, but many people in the Ozarks are just now visiting it for the first time. The photo above shows the FBC expeditioners eagerly awaiting the show to begin in their comfortable seats near the main stage of the enormous space. The vastness of the theater is needed considering what comes meandering down the aisles during the performance---beautiful, full size horses; gigantic camels; braying donkeys; and bah-bahing sheep!!

The photo above shows the Christmas tree in the main lobby, that is completely encircled by delicate angels, twinkling lights, and shiny ribbon. After the show was over, I realized those angels decorating the tree were just a preview to what we would experience during the presentation inside the theater, called "The Miracle of Christmas". In my lifetime, I have seen dozens of dramatizations of the Christmas story, as told in the Bible New Testament book of Luke. However, none of these past dramas have so vividly captured all my senses in illustrating Luke 2:13-14, as did the spectacular scene I saw above, beside, and before me that night. The verse says: Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared, with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." It was definitely one of those moments that gives you goosebumps! I hope you will take the time in the days ahead to not only see a Christmas program with little children acting out the parts, but also treat yourself to the experience of "The Miracle of Christmas" at Sight and Sound Theater in Branson (http://www.sight-sound.com/) Wishing you miles of angelic smiles this Christmas! Tricia