Posted on 12/20/2013 6:57:41 AM PST by Gamecock
MADISON, Wisc. — Last year, First Christian Church brought in live donkeys to wow the audience at its annual Christmas drama. This year, they’re adding “scented sensations which bring the Holy Land to life.”
In short, their presentation is going to stink.
With a slew of Christmas presentations vying for local audiences this year, churches are embracing far-out measures to enliven December dramas. This season’s fad is Smells of Palestine, a “sensory kit” sold by The Ol’ Factory Worship Experience, a Dallas company. The kit pumps “authentic smells” into the sanctuary during re-enactments of the Christmas story.
“It works like a fog machine,” says a company representative. “Heated oils send evocative odors wafting over the congregation.”
Evocative, but not always pleasing. In addition to heartwarming smells like warm bread over a wood fire, the kit includes scents for unwashed feet, donkey dung, rotting fish and unusually bad body odor.
“We don’t sugarcoat the Christmas story,” says the representative. “This isn’t the Nutcracker.”
Early reactions have been so-so. First Assembly of God in Walla Walla, Wash., emptied out when the rotting fish smell pervaded the sanctuary during a marketplace scene.
“We dialed that one a little strong,” a stagehand admitted.
But some viewers appreciate the array of sensations.
“I felt I was back on the farm” during the stable scene, says an elderly attendee. “And the frankincense was dreamy.”
Most churches warn people that smells will be part of the presentation, but “it still freaks them out” when the first scents are released, says one drama pastor.
“There’s a lot of ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s, laughter, and of course some people reach for the vomit bags” which are discreetly placed in the pocket of the pews, he says.
Smells of Palestine’s creator is pressing forward. Next year they will add the smell of soiled garments, lamp oil and warm goat.
“The goat in particular should be a showstopper,” says the representative. “Figuratively speaking.” •
Merry Christmas!
Satire, but not really funny.
You smiled once. Admit it.
“...the kit includes scents for unwashed feet, donkey dung, rotting fish and unusually bad body odor. ...”
Sounds like any North Philly neighborhood on a hot summer night...
that is a Christmas story rendition that I will avoid. I have been to slaughter houses and farms and the slums of major cities. I don;t need an aromatic reminder of what living in the third world is like
Wants scented sensations of the Holy Land? Been there. Nothing smells worse than a camel. No “down on the farm” odor about them. Their scent will make your eyes water, and remain detectable 20 minutes after they’ve left.
what no falafel?
mmmmmm
NOTHING in that liberal hotbed that is Madistan, is really funny, but it is oddly offbeat in many ways, with twisting of logic and perversions of meaning that introduced a nuance previously unknown anywhere in the Universe.
That town was Politically Correct when politically correct wasn’t cool.
Going back to the birth of Progressivism.
Why not save that money and just encourage the audience to fart during the performance.
Accept no sheep substitutes.
Reminds me of the Dave Barry story.
A friend had a donkey that died. In the frozen winter of NH, the donkey was frozen stiff, standing upright in his stall.
The guy took the donkey to the town square where a Manger scene was set up.
The donkey blended into the scene. Until the Spring Thaw...
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