Presents and Presence

One of the first things many people think of when they hear the word Christmas is gifts. Gifts and Christmas have been interchangeable for a very long time in our world’s history. But over time, what people think of as gifts has shifted. Each new era or generation defines it differently. There were monetary gifts such as gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the days of Christ, when all things were handcrafted and only the wealthiest of people could have precious ore or spices from distant lands. Or perhaps, during the great wars of the twentieth century, a gift of war bonds was precious when patriotism and the survival of the world made things like toys seem trivial to many. Now, everyone wants the latest iPhone or the newest technology. Throughout our lives, what we want also changes. Gifts shift from toys, games, and candy to technology or clothes–all inconsequential things that provide short-term entertainment. However, all of these things fade and have less impact on our true joy. Joy can really be found in the simple things of life.

Each day, as we move forward in this life, we can appreciate the small gifts we receive: having a nice meal, having somewhere to sleep, or having the clothes we need each day. These gifts are truly taken for granted by many of us, and yet they bring much more into our lives than the flashy, expensive things we wish would bring us happiness. If we could only appreciate these simple gifts we would find much more joy.

Some of these simple gifts are the talents of ourselves and others, service given and received, opportunities for growth, or cultural connections made with those near or far. Cultural dance specifically has provided many with opportunities to associate with people of different backgrounds, and to better connect with them in both song and dance. The light in someone’s eyes that comes when they realize that a barrier you both thought was there is gone–that is a gift. Learning about other cultures, growing to more deeply appreciate the things others have to offer, and learning how to connect with people around–these are gifts that can be given. These are things that can be given without money and by working hard and showing you care.

With these moments in mind, time changes, and we realize the clock will keep ticking–the importance of our relationships becomes ever more obvious. Be it familial relationships, romantic relationships, or everyday friendships, we learn the vitality of love and support in our lives as we grow older. No matter the time period, relationships have proven themselves the ultimate gift and representation of love. We see this with the shepherds coming to learn and know of Christ, we learn of it with each soldier who returns home from overseas, and we hear this in our modern music with titles like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Throughout time, no matter the value of physical things, people have continued to grow in their desire and passion to share love and relationships with others as their ultimate gift. As we have seen throughout history, monetary objects change in value, fall apart, and are easily lost, but relationships endure. They can endure at any point in life or at any level of personal wealth. They will last for as long as you seek them out and cherish them. They will ultimately bring more joy and fulfillment than any other physical gift. When our lives near their end, these are the gifts we will remember most: the people we love and the relationships we have formed.

It is true that some of the most important relationships we have here on earth are in our family. However, the most important one we can strive for is a deeper relationship with Christ. When all else fails, both in monetary things or even earthly relationships, Christ is there to love and support us. His life and our relationship with Him are the most important of all. Other special people come into our lives but nothing can outlive the blood that Christ shed for us. Not only is our relationship with Christ a gift, but his sacrifice inevitably has become the biggest and brightest gift that no other thing or other person can fulfill in our lives. At the end of the day, Christ's love has been the most divine gift that has ever been granted. To feel and make note of His love, especially during this holiday season, we remember that His gift is the most miraculous and magical one of all.

As you consider the gifts you’ve given and received this year, think about all of the things you’ve had the opportunity to share–both monetary or not–and the moments and people we have learned to appreciate. All of these things are good, lifelong gifts. Yet the most important one that often gets forgotten in this life which should always be remembered, especially in this time and season, is Christ. Both our relationship with Him and His life are given to us freely. We merely need to step up and accept the love He has given us and continues to give us throughout our lives. This season, as we give our gifts, appreciate our blessings, and find joy with our loved ones, let us remember that everything we give to others needs to be given in memory of Christ, the ultimate gift.

data-content-type="article"

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="376"] Margaret Roper[/caption] Margaret More Roper: Scholar and Daughter by Adam White, dramaturg Thomas More was a family man; he was married twice and had four children with his first wife, Jane Colt. After being married for six years, Jane Colt More died, leaving More with four children: Margaret, Elizabeth, Cecily and John. However, More quickly remarried to the widow Dame Alice Middleton, marrying her within a month of his wife’s death. While many of his friends resisted the rapid nature of the arrangement, More went through with it. Thomas and Alice More would raise the four children Thomas More had with Jane, as well as Alice’s daughter from her previous marriage and a foster daughter. Certainly, More valued his family and the welfare of his children. More also valued the power of education. He insisted that his daughters be educated through rigorous schooling, and this was unusual in 16th-century England, as society at large believed women unfit for scholarly pursuits. Despite cultural and institutional norms, Margaret More, the eldest of the More children (and More’s favorite, some would argue), would grow to become one of the most educated people in all of England, a woman of great scholarly knowledge. Margaret More Roper was tutored at home and became well-known for her studies, particularly for her adeptness in Greek and Latin. Her skill in writing and speaking Latin would impress the clergy of England. This specialty is reflected in a scene in Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons where Margaret and King Henry VIII engage in a bit of Latin language sparring. She would also become the first woman who was not of royal birth to publish a translated book. In October 1524, Roper published an English translation of a book called ‘Precatio dominica’ written by Thomas More’s good friend Erasmus. This book was based on the Lord’s Prayer. Instead of translating the book directly from Latin to English, Roper would use her extensive knowledge of both languages to construct the themes and the meanings Erasmus had written in to the treatise with her own words. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="291"] Erasmus, Dutch humanist and good friend to Thomas More[/caption] It was Margaret who would visit the imprisoned Thomas More the most often. They were very close, writing letters to one another regularly the duration of their relationship. It was in a letter to Margaret that Thomas More confided, “I do nobody harm, I say none harm, I thinke none harm, but wish everybody good. And if this be not enough to keep a man alive, in good faith I long not to live.” We have good reason to believe that Margaret More Roper very well understood what would be her father’s fate. After Thomas More’s execution, Margaret More Roper and her husband William Roper would continue to carry on his legacy in their own ways. William Roper would write the first biography of Thomas More, a glowing and gracious document that would influence our understanding of More’s personality for hundreds of years to come. Margaret More Roper actually kept her father’s head after his beheading, pickling it to preserve it from decay. While many of us may find that historical tidbit a tad macabre, I would like to believe that Margaret More Roper had deep admiration for her father; perhaps it was out of this feeling she kept his head. Please stay tuned to the 4th Wall Dramaturgy Blog to catch clips of my interview with Mallory Gee, the actress who will portray Margaret More Roper in BYU’s A Man for All Seasons. Bibliography: Abernathy, Susan. "Margaret Roper, Daughter of Sir Thomas More." Early Modern England. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. Duerden, Richard. "A Man for All Seasons." Telephone interview. 31 Jan. 2014. "Margaret Roper." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Sept. 2013. Web. 02 Oct. 2013. "Sir Thomas More Quotes and Quotations." Sir Thomas More Quotes and Quotations. Luminarium. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.

overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection= overrideCardHideByline= overrideCardHideDescription= overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=

data-content-type="article"

by Janine Sobeck, dramaturg Tech week is one of the most exciting moments in any show. It's the time when we get to leave our rehearsal room, move onto stage, and add all of the production elements. To help the actors adapt to all the changes we usually make a gradual transition. Pre-tech: While still in the rehearsal room, actors are given certain rehearsal props and costumes to help them in the creation of their characters. In the case of Princess Academy, all the girls were given rehearsal skirts and all the characters were given rehearsal books and and other items (such as the miri flower). We also added all of the instruments used in the show. Tech day 1: The first day of tech included adding the set and sound. One of the biggest changes for our actors is the ramps on our stage. They finally had the opportunity to climb the mountain! Tech day 2: It's time to add the props! In order to support Director Megan Sanborn Jones' vision of the show, prop designer Scott Jackson made all of the props out of paper, letters, and books. Tech days 3-4: This is what we call an "All Tech." The final elements of the show (lights, costumes, and make-up) are added into the mix. Day 3 is spent working through all the cues in act 1 and day 4 is spent working through act 2. Tech days 5-7: The time has come to run the show! These are our dress rehearsals, where the goal is to do the show exactly as if it was a real performance. This means starting at our normal curtain time and trying to never stop. The director, playwright, dramaturgs, and designers sit in the audience making notes about what is working and what still needs to change. At the end of the nights, the actors and designers are given feedback and we rehearse any moments that need some extra attention. Tech day 8: Which is today! Tonight is the time when we finally get to add the final element of the show: the audience! Our final day of tech is known as the "preview performance." Friends, families, and students are invited to see the show before we officially open. While we always reserve the right to stop the show if necessary (it is, after all, still a rehearsal), we hope that everything will go smoothly!

Presents and Presence

Related Articles

Margaret More Roper: Scholar and Daughter

From Page to Stage - Working with the English Dept.

Tech Week!