A nativity play is an honored tradition in churches across the nation, and the youth of St. Mary Parish, Tilden Twp., were no exception this year. The church held a program, “The First Christmas” featuring the children and teenagers of the congregation on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the Ave Maria Hall.
Two costumed “angels” greeted guests as they entered the hall, wearing tinsel halos and handing out programs. A pair of shepherd girls, bare feet peeking out from their robes, peered at the gathering crowd. All were called to order when the lights dimmed and one narrator began, “This is the story of the first Christmas, the night Jesus Christ was born. . . the people were looking for a sign from God.”
As the narrators told the tale, weaving in words from the scriptures, different actors took to the stage. Four young boys enacted the words of Old Testament prophets, then a young Mary took the stage, sweeping straw on the floor. A trio of musicians led the congregation in carols and songs woven throughout the story.
As the play progressed, the audience watched Mary receive words from the angel, Gabriel, then visit her cousin Elizabeth, who soon gave birth to her own son, John the Baptist. Back in Nazareth, a young Joseph feigned sleep on the stage, as he dreamed of an angel telling him that Mary’s baby was the promised Messiah.
Soon, the audience watched as the couple wound through the rows of people on their way to Jerusalem, then pantomimed knocking on doorways, looking desperately for a room. “And then,” the narrator said, “the blessed event occurs. History will never be the same.”
At these words, the back curtains opened to reveal the familiar stable scene, a baby nestled in a manger. Soon, shepherds entered the hall, leading small “lambs” (preschoolers crawling in costumes) to the scene. The story concluded with the presentation of the baby Jesus in the temple, the visit by three kings bearing gifts from the East, and the entrance from the rear of the hall by the little drummer boy, beating his way up the aisle onto the stage, completing the manger scene.
“Over and over,” the narrator pointed out, “it is to ordinary people that God’s message is shared.”
The audience helped close the program with a rendition of “Joy to the World.” To conclude, Rev. Donald Cieniewicz, pastor of St. Mary, thanked the adults and children who worked hard to present the Christmas story that evening. “This is the true meaning of why we celebrate,” he said, “the message of Jesus.”
“The First Christmas” nativity play was presented by the Children of St. Mary Parish, part of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 94 Walnut Road, Tilden Twp. For more information about the church, please call 610-562-7657 or visit them online at rc.net/Allentown/stmaryhamb.