When Bethany students went home to celebrate Christmas with their family this year, they understood what the holiday was about. Part of Bethany’s core values includes educating the child in all aspects, including spiritually.
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is over 2,000 years old. But that doesn’t mean the telling of the story has to be. Bethany’s third through eighth graders put on a clever and exciting adaptation called “Straight Outta Bethlehem,” referencing the 2015 blockbuster movie “Straight Outta Compton.”
The new and funny twist on the story of Bethlehem was a great way to engage everyone in the audience and help get everyone in the spirit of Christmas. Through acting and dancing, the students told the audience the story of Bethlehem and baby Jesus being born. Songs like “Straight Outta Bethlehem,” “Anything Can Happen,” and “Barnyard Boogie” were performed in between the telling of the story of Christmas. Other songs included “Blake’s Song,” “Disco Gloria,” “What Can I Give Away In A Manger,” “Orphan of God Medley,” and to top it off, the singing of “Sing Hallelujah” that was composed by Bethany’s own Mrs. Porter.
Parents, kids, and staff alike were wowed by the evening, which was a true celebration and culmination of a successful first semester at Bethany this school year. The evening led off with a greeting and prayer from principal Bill Cook and Bethany Church’s new pastor Jeff Levine. The kindergartners, first graders, and second graders then came on stage to perform a brief concert, featuring “O Come, Lets Us Adore Him,” “He’s The Name,” “Worthy, You are Worthy,” and “It’s Christmas.”
“The Soul Sister Singers,” comprised of Bethany educators Pamela Hale, Ruth Holmes, Rosalind Porter, and Robyn Rivers, then took center stage to sing “Mary Did You Know?” Their beautiful and impressive performance moved the audience and rocked the house setting the stage for the main show of the night, “Straight Outta Bethlehem.”
Altogether, the night was a classic reminder of what Bethany School stands for: teaching good Christian values and creativity through modern lenses, technology, and fun. Congratulations to Bethany School for engaging us in a truly moving reminder of what Christmas is all about!