Even hippies like the Stations of the Cross

A few weeks ago I was subbing and went with the kids to church where we celebrated the Stations of the Cross.  For my non-Catholic readers, the Stations of the Cross are when Catholics go through each step of Jesus' crucifixion and think about how awful it must of been and how grateful we are to not have to be crucified ourselves.  It's a very serious ceremony and not a particularly happy or joyful one.  Except when junior high kids are putting it on.

Most Stations of the Cross ceremonies involve someone just reading about what happened, but this one had the kids actually acting out each step.  The kids did a fantastic job and had singing, readings, and different people who were observers (like Jesus' mom or Simon who helps carry the cross) telling their side of the story.  My personal favorite part was when Jesus, who was wearing a long white robe, was stripped of his clothing.  But because these are junior high kids in Catholic school, underneath his clothing was yet another long white robe, just like the one he had on top.  Gotta keep this thing modest.

But then, once Jesus had been carried on the shoulders of about six boys into the "tomb" and all the kids dressed in back followed him silently sobbing (but actually trying not to laugh behind their hands and failing miserably), Jesus rose from the dead and the kids leaped and shouted and danced down the aisle back up to the front of church, all while wearing tie-dyed t-shirts.  It was hilarious.  And Jesus, still wearing his long white robe, danced like this while totally straight faced:



I absolutely loved everything about it.  This was total new age hippie Christian stuff and the kids were so into it.  I couldn't help but smile.  Plus, I love imagining the real Jesus dancing like a boss.