LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
What would you do if you woke up to a never-ending day? What if that day was Christmas Eve?
For one local resident, that scenario will happen this weekend, and it will happen on a stage for members of the community to watch, not once, but twice, at Lake Ridge Christian Church (LRCC).
The church’s yearly holiday musical, "Nearly Christmas," will be performed at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 15. Both performances are free and open to the public.
“Nearly Christmas” tells the story of Bonnie, who wakes up on Christmas Eve to a never-ending day. As Bonnie drifts through her routine, she realizes that her never-ending day is only the start of the story.
Spenser Carrell, LRCC’s worship director, writes and directs the music-infused production each year. He explained this year’s narrative is drawn from the story of Joseph and carries the message to “trust in God’s plan.”
“We focus a bit on Joseph's mindset. Joseph was a very important part of Jesus' life and yet he never speaks in the Bible,” Carrell said. “We talk about what Joseph must have thought when faced with Mary's pregnancy and the risks involved with a pregnancy when they were not yet married… yet he trusted God's plan and figured out where he fit into it.”
Carrell believes Joseph’s story is relevant to everyone in Edgar County and the Christmas-centered theatrical work is something everyone can enjoy, and find deeper meaning in.
“We often face things where we don't understand what's in front of us and yet we're called to trust God and lean on him,” the director said, adding, “There are also a couple of really fun dance numbers that I think the audience is going to love.”
This is the 12th year LRCC has presented a holiday musical. While the performance plays on bending time and one long day, Carrell said planning the musical is not a last-minute process. Preparations for the annual event begin more than a year ahead of time.
“I write all of our scripts, and that process has already begun for 2025,” he explained. “I begin preparing general themes, concepts and titles in the winter. Then, starting in January and February, I begin writing and storyboarding. It usually goes through many drafts and adjustments, setting it aside and coming back weeks later with new eyes.”
The plays are normally finalized in May or June and the first reading of the scripts happens in August.
“I begin communicating with those who participated the previous year to see who is interested in returning and then I begin promoting to the congregation and on our social media to anyone who may be interested in participating, either as an actor or in the choir,” Carrell said.
The success of the show each year is because of the cast, according to Carrell.
“I have several people that have been in the shows for years now and a few people that have been in all 12,” he said, “I love seeing the group change and grow year to year.”
This year, Carrell explained the cast includes a handful of first-timers who have brought an exciting buzz and “great energy” to the show.
“One of my favorite parts of the process is seeing all the actors take their characters and run with their personalities … what I find cool about our show is the wide range of ages in those involved,” Carrell said. “We have a few of our wisest choir members that have been with us for several years and then we have some that are in eighth grade.”
Seeing the varying age groups come together for the performance is one of the many unique features that make the holiday performance special at Lake Ridge.
“There's just so much time and work that this cast, choir and crew have put into the show and we can't wait to share it with everyone,” Carrell shared.
“We even have a Hot Cocoa bar you can stop by at intermission,” he added.
Ultimately, the goal of Carrell, the drama team and the church is “to provide a fun, Christmas show that's family-friendly with an inspirational message that anyone can attend.”
“We've never had any interest in charging people,” Carrell said. “We want to connect with more people and get an opportunity to share our shows with everyone. Our shows are crafted to be filled with humor, a mix of popular songs, Christmas carols and worship songs. We want Christmas at Lake Ridge to be an event that everyone can feel welcome to attend and welcome to be a part of… Christmas at Lake Ridge is not a traditional Christmas cantata.”
Both performances of “Nearly Christmas” take place at the church’s family life center, located at 122 E. Steidl Road. Additional information can be found on the church’s Facebook page, or by calling the office at 217-465-5614.