Heather Ard knows the drill of putting on a children’s Christmas pageant.
“Anytime you do a pageant with short people, it never goes as planned – but I thought the kids tonight did a great job,” she said Sunday evening after the Nativity story was performed before Mass at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church.
Ard, along with Julie Dunagan, helped put together the pageant with Religious Education students at St. Timothy.
Sure, a couple angels were squirming and the shepherds lost some sheep. The three kings at times jostled for position while keeping the beat with the little drummer boy.
But, somehow, the 20 children near the makeshift manger at the front of the church made the story of Jesus’ birth come alive with meaning and power for believers of all ages.
“It’s an honor to play Jesus’ mother,” said Nina DeBlasio, 14, who had the role of Mary.
“For me, it makes the Christmas story real. I feel closer to Mary and to Jesus.”
Jared Lopez, 11, shared that sentiment as Joseph.
“It’s very exciting to be a part of Jesus’ birth,” he said. “I was a little nervous but it was fun.”
This was the old story with a bit of a new twist. The setting was a family living room at Christmas. A real family –David and Retzel O’Brien and their two children Clare and Toby – played themselves.
The parents read a Christmas story and told of the birth of Jesus, as the other children in the cast acted out the parts.
Being part of a Christmas pageant is a tradition that is part of the memories for Christians of all ages.
“When I was growing up I was part of the Christmas pageant at St. Timothy,” said Andrew LoFaro, now coordinator of Religious Education at the church. “I remember how special it was to be a part of it.”
Throughout the years, one thing has remained constant for all the pageants.
“It’s an opportunity for kids to live and be a part of the Christmas story,” LoFaro said.