I was at one of the most beautiful Christmas concerts I have ever attended and it happened last Sunday (2).

After battling through the crush of cars and people attending the First Assembly of God’s Singing Christmas Tree I managed with some difficulty to get to the First Baptist Church Kids Choir ‘s Christmas Concert. And it was well worth the battle.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the church almost full with mostly adoring parents and grandparents watching their children sing their hearts out. And how those children sang! With much gusto and very happy faces all combined to fill my eyes with joyous tears.

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The set was simple but beautifully put together. We had the manger, with Mary and Joseph, some shepherds, three kings and a heavenly host of beautiful angels who were the choir.

If I get to heaven I am sure it will be a reproduction of this.

The familiar Biblical Christmas story was told through carols and readings from Isaiah, Matthew, and Luke and the kids did all the performances.

Soloists were Summer Phillips (O Little Town of Bethlehem), Christina Jackson (Silent Night), Johnathon Bedasse, Ethan & Justin Spencer were the Three Kings – and stole the show (We Three Kings), and Khalia Gordon and Khalila Hunte led “Go Tell It On the Mountain”.

The readings were executed with excellent diction and expression by Azuka (AJ) Obi, Katriona Williams, Marisa Dunbar, Iona Nicol, Khalila Hunte, Reese Atterbury and Alice Reynolds.

Other performers were Isabella & William Alverenga, Emily Bodden, Kayla Boney, Jolie Brown, Selena Cole, James Costa, Kichoun Gordan, Cameron Harrison, Jori Jones, Shay Lalor, Shaelynne Lewis, Michael Marzouca, Eyole Obi, Skye Phillips, Gianna Rankin, Jaiden Reid, Alice Reynolds and Evelyn Ross.

Full marks to all the crew with special mention to Accompanist Kathleen Spencer and Choir Leaders: Nicole Bodden, Heather Francis, Twilette Garnes, Carlos Ramirez and Rachel Reynolds. Others were Jondo Obi (Fellowship Coordinator), Ian Fenton (Lights), Kidan Brooks (Power Point), Mayra Guzman & Renee Howell (Scenery) and last but not least the Sounds Man – FBC Pastor Dave Jorge.

There was no mention in the programme of the persons who provided/made the costumes but they were outstanding, especially the angels complete with halos. A lot of hard work went into this.

The youngest performer was one of the kings and he was only 4. Not only a king, but a star in the making.

Paul Reynolds gave the welcome, the prayer and the closing remarks. He spoke about the theme of the carols. JOY. The “joyous news” of Christ’s birth.

This “JOY’ was in the faces of everyone there. The performers, the staff and the audience.

And if that performance wasn’t enough we were all given a sumptuous supper in the hall.

Congratulations.