A month ago, a conversation with some teens at church waxed nostalgic as we remembered childhood shows we watched as kids. For us more-advanced-in-years kids, we remember Captain Kangaroo, Patches and Pockets, and Mr. Rogers. Since Mr. Rogers was around for 32 years and syndicated reruns are still happening, the teens remembered him.
Raising our own kids, we added shows they had watched as well. Reading Rainbow, Madeline, Arthur, Franklin, Berenstain Bears, Dora, Barney, and Blue’s Clues topped the list. But one of the shows has reached 53 seasons, began in 1969, and is still in production today.
Sesame Street.
If you think about the opening lyrics to the theme song, it certainly sounds pleasant enough:
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
Come and play
Everything’s A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That’s where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street
But the show’s setting is NYC. The air is NOT sweet. You don’t see children freely frolicking on the streets. And I wouldn’t exactly call it friendly. I’ve been there! While the exact location of Sesame Street is debated, East Harlem, Alphabet City (Manhattan), Astoria (Queens), and Manhattan’s upper west side have all been suggested. Sesame Street portrays average families. However, could they afford to live in neighborhoods where a one-bedroom condo costs nearly $1 million? “Brownstones make up most of the housing on Sesame Street, and on the Upper West Side a similar building is listed for $8.6 million. A multi-story home is more affordable in East Harlem, but most will still cost you well over $1 million.
“Astoria is the cheapest potential Sesame Street location by far. In 2012, Motovo determined that if 123 Sesame Street was located in Queens as indicated by one official map, the building would be valued at approximately $614,460. Adjusted for inflation, that means it’s worth about $817,000 today.”1
No wonder that Sesame Street is all make believe!
Sunny day. Sweet air. Everything’s A-OK. Friendly neighbors. Happy people. Every door opens wide. You aren’t going to find that on Sesame Street but you’ll definitely find that on the Golden Street.
One of the descriptions given in Revelation 21:21 of the Holy City says, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Revelation 22:5 adds, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” No sunny days. Just “SON”ny days.
Can you tell me how to get, how to get to the Golden Street? Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The invitation is found in Revelation 3:20. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
The property values of this Heavenly City are out of this world. Entrance is provided only by the Blood of Jesus and His resurrection. The invitation is open to all.
Are you on your way?
1https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/how-much-would-it-cost-to-live-sesame-street-real-life
