The true meaning of Christmas came to life December 18 when a small cast of young children from the combined United Churches of Trinity and Grace enacted the adaptation of the story behind the birth of Jesus.
About 90 individuals were in attendance in the barn of Grant and Lisa Peterson, located one mile south and one mile east of Preeceville.
Rev. Miles Russell was the storyteller and Trina Wardle was the scripture reader. Cast members portraying the main characters were: Kiera Balyski as Mary; Reagan Dobson as Joseph; Quilana Dobson as an angel; Sierra Karcha and Rhianna Olson as shepherds, and Tesha Dobson, Zanthany Olson and Shanae Olson as kings.
“Come with me in your imagination to experience this ancient story that is both old and still new each year,” said Russell. “Come and see the stable before us, notice the animals, the sheep and the donkey in this place, smell the hay and straw.
“And now open your hearts, minds and spirits to the story of love and light, hope and God’s peace that is born into a world that is sometimes cold and dark and makes people feel isolated and forgotten.”
Scriptures recited were: Luke 1:26-33; Matthew 1:18-21; Luke 2:8-16 and Matthew 2:1-10.
Hymns sung were: O Come All Ye Faithful; O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, What Child is This, Joy to the World and All Poor Ones and Humble.
The story follows the journey of Mary and Joseph who took to a manger where she gave birth. It is also the place that the angels, the shepherds and the three wise men visited.
“The true light came, not with fanfare and trumpets, nor with crashing thunder and flashes of lightning,” Russell said. “It came in a whisper, with the cry of a newborn baby, innocent and vulnerable, fully dependent, the ultimate trust.”
“The Light is with us still, innocent and vulnerable, fully dependant and still trusting, needing us to survive in the darkness. So let us leave here responding to the Child’s trusting faith, to make the light shine brightly, as each of us do out of love, compassion, and forgiveness to our neighbours both near and far.”
Following the service, those attending were invited to the Trinity United Church in Preeceville for refreshments.
