A good portion of The Square Peg Alliance were on hand for the first night of Behold the Lamb of God: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ on Tuesday night, November 27. Two busses filled with artists that may have been a bit nervous, pulled into Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn, Nebraska to launch yet another year of this sublime program.

Besides the author of the songs, Andrew Peterson, also on hand were Andy Gullahorn, Jill Phillips, Andrew Osenga, Sara Groves, Troy Groves (Sara’s husband), Bebo Norman, Gabe Scott, Garett Buell, Marcus Myers, Ben Shive, and Cason Cooley. Concert promoter and website IT Developer Laura Preston confirmed that indeed, the concert sold all available tickets.

If there were any glaring performance errors, they weren’t noticeable from where I sat.  True to the endearing form his supporters have come to expect, Andrew Peterson stumbled ever so slightly on one of the begats, but collected his composure and moved on without any residual effect. Those that have seen the program know that it’s nearly impossible to make it to the end of the show without recurring surges of emotion.  For me, ”The Theme Of My Song/Reprise,” is an emotional summit. I’ve often said that the degree to which we feel art in our gut is equivilant to the ratio between that intensity of emotion multiplied by the number of years that have passed. This song eloquently meshes eternity past with eternity future, reminding us that we serve a thoughtful, caring, just God, who designed a plan based on His immutable love for us. Even for a believer that may fashion himself as an insensitive stone, this song–indeed, this program–will likely send you skipping across the water.

I always enjoy the in-the-round portion of the program. As one who has been to in-the-round shows in which the terminology referred to a rotating stage, I’ve had to learn that in-the-round is Nashville speak for taking turns in the spotlight; each performer sings a couple of songs on a rotating basis, not a rotating platform.

Andrew Peterson started this portion of the show with a song that will be featured on his upcoming project, Resurrection Letters, Volume II, the confession laced, empathetic “I’ve Got News,” which may be my new favorite. Sara Groves shared her carefully crafted songs with understated beauty. Andy Gullahorn’s introduction to “Roast Beef” (also known as “The Toe Song”) was as hilarious as I’ve witnessed, and I’ve seen him perform this song many times.  Gullahorn, Eric Peters, and Chris Mason share the award for the most underrated Square Pegs. If one of these guys does not end up with a record contract, then a record contract doesn’t deserve them. Jill Phillips was her usual articulate self, singing her songs with the beauty and serenity of mountain range in springtime. Andrew Osenga sang “The Ball Game” and “Early in the Morning.” His introduction to “The Ball Game” included some funny comments about his lack of basketball skills (”It is incredibly humbling to be the worst athlete in a group of musicians.”). The artists spent some afternoon time before the show in the church gym, according to Osenga. Bebo Norman did a couple of tunes from his new Christmas CD Christmas from the Realms of Glory including “The Rebel Jesus.” Bebo provided the most movingly convincing introduction to Compassion International that I’ve ever heard–and I’ve heard plenty. If I didn’t already sponsor a child through Compassion, I would have signed up on the spot. Bebo is one articulate dude. Did I read somewhere that he bypassed medical school to sing songs for Jesus?  Wow, after listening to him compellingly articulate the needs of Compassion International, I can believe that.

Last night the busses landed in Wisconsin. Tonight, it’s Kansas. According to a spokesperson at the Christ Community Evangelical Free Church in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, tonight’s show is also sold out. Don’t do as I did and assume you will able to score tickets at the last minute for one of these shows.  Go today and buy your tickets.  You won’t regret it. Miss a lot of things, but don’t miss this. It will center and focus you on “what’s really important here” as you cruise through your holiday season.  

And with 19 shows in 20 days, these great artists could use our prayers.  For strength, energy, peace, joy, guidance, and good nutrition.