I LOVE LES MIS!

Christmas vacation is over.  Billy and I spent Christmas with his family in St. George, Utah.  Billy was granted permission from work to leave just a few days before Christmas.  I was able to find affordable flights in and out of Vegas; so off we went.  

 

Then we made the short drive to the red desert that is southern Utah.

 

There are plenty of golf courses in the St. George area.  

This is Sand Hollow Golf Course in Hurricane (pronounce Hurricun).  Golf courses look like an oasis when placed in a desert.

It was really great to be with family for Christmas, we see them so rarely. 

Billy's brother, Bruce brought his adorable cocker; Putter.

Billy and Putter, wrestled/snuggled.

 

While on vacation, we went to see Les Miserable, the movie.  We bought our tickets in advance and got the theatre plenty early, cuz we knew the place would be packed.  I have been waiting in anticipation for the movie to come out since I first saw the previews in the summer (even the previews had me teary).  As the crowded movie house waited for the film to start, we were all abuzz with excitement, humming and singing “I Dreamed a Dream”.  Well this movie did not disappoint, no not a one!  The movie ended to tear stained cheeks and thunderous applause from all in the theatre.

This was the perfect movie to release for Christmas as it is an example of God’s grace and redemption. 

Three of the characters especially give a picture how judgment can affect a life for the better or worse. 

 

Jean Valjean is an ex-convict and is labeled a dangerous man, though his crime did not merit such a title.  He is taken in by a priest.  Because of the priest’s kindness and forgiveness, Valjean is able to recognize that God has given him a second chance. 

 

 From that point on Jean Valjean becomes a righteous man; in his repentance he goes out of his way, to help, even to save those less fortunate.  He genuinely cares for the people, and doesn't judge them.  

Fantine is ostracized for having an illegitimate daughter, Cosette.  There were few jobs for women in those times, so Fantine did desperate things in order to provide for Cosette.  Her miserable life is not in vain however; because of Fantine, her daughter is saved from a wretched life.

 

 Javert once guarded Jean Valjean at the prison.  Javert becomes a police inspector who has it out for Valjean.  Javert is a self-righteous man who upholds the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law.  He comes to realize that his self-righteousness is not righteous.

 

I could go on and on but I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it.  The acting was amazing, the music filled with so much emotion.  The music was all sung live, not recorded in a studio…Brilliant!  If you are hmmming and hawing about going to see the movie; just go!

I sit here typing away with the tune for “I Dreamed a Dream” playing over and over in my mind; and it brings tears to my eyes again.  This story reminds me that each and everyone one of us has a history, a reason why we are the way we are, or do what we do.  It is not for me to judge another, but to love.  I am not to be self-righteous because I haven’t sinned in a manner that another may have; I have sinned quite well (or horribly) in my own way.  The only reason that I am righteous is because I earnestly asked Jesus to forgive me, and He did.  Luke 7 tells of a woman, called a “sinner” who came to Jesus weeping and washing His feet with her tears and very expensive oil.  The self-righteous Pharisees expected Jesus to judge her; instead Jesus chastised them and said, 47 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  Jesus continued to tell her that her sins are forgiven, 50 “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”  There is no one whose sin is too great for Jesus to forgive.

All photos from Les Mis were copied from Google Images.