Performances offer our most valuable gift

Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving, and it is. One only has to look at parking spaces outside local stores to know that the shopping season is shifting into full gear.

It's the season for us to think about what will bring pleasure, in some small way, to our friends and loved ones and show them that we care.

But not all gifts are material. Not all of them can be purchased at pre-season sales.

Some of them, the most valuable of them, cannot be sold at discount.

Time.

Each of us, rich or poor, young or old, have a limited amount every day. No commodity is more precious.

Thus we should feel honored when someone else, especially during the holiday season, has spent hours of their valuable time for our benefit.

Today's Arts & Entertainment pages, 6-7, offer examples of people who have offered this precious gift for the edification of others this Christmastime.

A quick count shows that some 90 people donated many hours of their time for two major community productions celebrating the season.

The first, which was presented Sunday, was the Community Chorus presentation of Vivaldi's "Gloria."

Some 40 singers shared their God-given talents Sunday afternoon at Memorial United Methodist Church.

"But this music didn't just happen," according to a review by Lonnie Weyeneth on page 7. "It took a supreme, coordinated effort and lengthy rehearsal sessions by the choir, soloists, accompanists and directors Jon Wacker and Evie Caldwell."

If you missed this performance, you passed up a wonderful chance to reflect on the beauty of the holiday message.

But there's still a chance to think about our relationships to friends and family, thanks to this weekend's presentation of the Charles Dickens story, "A Christmas Carol."

The event is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the McCook Senior High School Auditorium.

Some 50 people have devoted talents and hours of their time to present this classic holiday story, presented by the Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association with the help of the high school and McCook Community College.

And these are only a few of the many special holiday programs taking place in schools, auditoriums and churches around our region.

Take time to attend as many as you can.

Let those who sing, act or perform know you appreciate them. There's nothing like a word of thanks to warm the hearts of those who have given up so much of their valuable time.