The true meaning of Christmas came to life 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, on December 20.
Rev. Miles Russell was the storyteller and Rhianna Olson was the scripture reader. Cast members portraying the main characters were: Sydney Kidder (Mary); Zanthany Olson (Joseph); Shanae Olson, Kylie Babiuk and Kirsten Murray (angels); Hannah Kidder, Gabby Murray and Page Reynolds (shepherds) and Austin Bartch, Mason Babiuk and Paige Hansen (wise men).
"It is has been 20-plus years since we began been doing the barn service to tell the story of Jesus," said Russell. The service has become a tradition passed down to children and grandchildren.
"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, the donkey in this place, smell the hay and the 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, sometimes dark and sometimes makes people feel isolated and forgotten."
Scriptures recited were: Luke 1:26-33, Matthew 1:18-21, Luke 2:8-16 and Matthew 2:1B-10.
Hymns sung were: O Come O Come Emanuel, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Angels We Have Heard on High, Joy to the World and All Poor Ones and Humble.
The story follows the journey that Mary and Joseph 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. It came in a whisper, with the cry of a newborn baby; innocent and vulnerable, fully dependent; the ultimate trust," said Russell. "The Light is with us still, innocent and vulnerable, fully dependant, 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. The Light has come. The Light is now, whispering a new born baby's cry, trusting -- the Light shines in the darkness," he said.
Following the service, those attending were invited to the Trinity United Church for a potluck lunch and hot chocolate. Lynn Larsen organized the service while Diane Kudeba organized the lunch.
