Les Miserables?

[Gab]

Just wondering if anyone else out there was a fan of the musical Les Miserables, a production that I've always held as one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen and heard.  I've always loved the musical, but it's only just recently that I've come to realize just how much of an amazingly powerful and touching Christian message is contained in the life of the protagonist Jean Valjean.  I especially like it because it feels very real, warts and all - one of the things that I've never liked about Christian music is the way in which it always seems too perfect and detached from the stings of reality.

Describing the full plot would take far too long, but for those who haven't seen it, Jean Valjean is a convict imprisoned for nineteen years and has become extremely bitter and resentful towards the world over this period of time, but after a chance encounter during parole with a bishop who took pity on him when no one else would and told him his soul had been bought for God, he is placed on the slow journey of redemption, sacrificing everything he has to clear the name of a man accused of being him and to care for his adopted daughter, and eventually forgiving and even saving the life of Javert, the hard-hearted jailer whom he would have killed in a heartbeat many years in the past had he the chance.  At the end of his life, surrounded at last by those whom he has loved and who have loved him in life, he finally "gets it", affirming, "To love another person is to see the face of God."

Would encourage anyone who hasn't seen it to try to do so - seeing it in person was truly a breathtaking experience.  The contrast between Valjean and Javert is probably the most poignant contrast between grace and law that I've ever seen.

Some songs from the musical:

Valjean's release from prison, his ostracism, and the kindness received from the bishop

Valjean's confusion following the bishop's kindness

Valjean clearing the name of the one accused in his stead

Valjean praying to God to save the life of the one his daughter loves

Valjean on his deathbed/Epilogue

[LittleSaint]

The contrast between Valjean and Javert is probably the most poignant contrast between grace and law that I've ever seen.

AMEN Gab.   I've only seen Les Mis one time; I was visiting New York and was very blessed to see it on Broadway and it was breathtaking.  I'd love to see it again!