Bartholomew, played by Joel Johnston (by Marla Carter)

“In all of history, there’s no better Christmas than the one you celebrate now, as long you celebrate it with an open heart.” That is one of the key lines in “A Time For Christmas,” spoken by Joel Johnston who plays Bartholomew. Ironically, Joel describes himself as a bit of a scrooge when it comes to Christmas. Joel enjoys the anticipation of the holiday, but would rather not participate if the day itself is going to be filled with commercialism and self-centeredness as wrapping paper flies and gifts are shown off and compared. His favorite holiday memories involve visiting with neighbors, friends, and family.

Joel loves music and theatre. You might remember him from recent OCC productions, his most recent being the Easter presentation of “One Voice,” in which he played Nicodemus. His theatre experience includes, but is not limited to, Cabaret, Music Man, and Once Upon a Mattress. He has been in the OCC choir for 4 years but has been singing since childhood.

Joel is a physician in Hancock County, where he’s practiced since 1992. His wife Denette is a nurse. He has two sons, Joshua who is in graduate school at UK, and Jay, who is a student at Burns Middle School. Joel says that recently he’s been reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of taking one day at a time. God has pressed this upon his heart both through his medical practice and through the recent illness his wife has faced with non-malignant breast cancer. Perhaps, for more reasons that just his talent, he really is the perfect deliverer of those words, “there is no better Christmas than the one you celebrate now,” because he knows the magnitude of keeping your heart open to the joys of today without worrying about what tomorrow holds.