Tonight Amy and I took Caleb to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We sat with Amy's sister, Tracy, her boyfriend Chris and cousins; Tori, Justin and Calli (Amy's sister, Jodie's daughter).
Amy and I went to see TSO two years ago with my Dad and his wife Donna... we all had a great time. We decided that when we thought Caleb was old enough that we'd take him. So, we did. The great thing about being a dad is that you get a first hand look at the reactions. This was Caleb's 1st TSO concert, and probably not his last. They started and it was full on lights, music, smoke effects... and Caleb's mouth was wide open. Shortly after that his hands were on his ears as it was all a bit too loud with the tubes in his ears working perfectly. But, he adjusted and just soaked it all in. We asked him what he liked best and he said, "THE WHOLE THING!" Yea, he thought the pyro was cool with colors changing from red to white to yellow/green. He thought that the raging guitars was cool... along with the drums and everyone else playing on stage. He was enamored with the lazer lights and the use of smoke and "snow" that the lights hit. You could see him pointing toward the top of the arena at the points where the lazers pointed to... it was an amazing thing to him. A night he won't forget.
Personally, I loved the first part of their concert. It's their story that they weave narrative with music and song and lighting and "snow" to communicate the Good News of Jesus in a way that is almost non-detectable. For me, the music to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was so moving as I recalled the words... "let nothing you dismay... remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day... to save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray..." Tears filled my eyes, just as it had the first time I heard this in their concert. It's like 'going to church' at times though that first part of the concert. A great message of hope is communicated in a most modern and captivating way. Contrast with the second half and well... I like the music, but it was more about "hey we're a great group of musicians and look at us...". I could have left after the first half and been quite satisfied. The second half was like the feeling you get when you've gotten way past the "full" point on Thanksgiving... too much.
So as I walk away from that event I say to myself (again) there should be a way to use this technology in a way that communicates the Good News of Jesus all year long. I've seen the Blue Man Group twice and now TSO twice. I am amazed at what can be done with the mediums of our day to communicate a message. I would love to see that message be about Jesus.
