Every year our L'Arche Edmonton community stages the best Christmas pageant ever -- a simple retelling of the birth of Jesus with lots of carolling. It's my favourite Christmas event every year -- seeing our people with and without disabilities working together to perform a Christmas play that is always touching and unique. The picture above is last year's -- two of our core members as Mary and Joseph, and the mom of "baby Jesus" settling him into the arms of a delighted Mary, who cooed and cuddled and kept him happy until his twin brother took a turn. As I think back on the pageants I've attended, I remember the different people and the specialness they brought to the roles of holy family, shepherds, kings, angels and inkeepers... and for me, it just wouldn't be Christmas without everyone singing Silent Night in as many different languages as our community holds.
So if you're in the neighbourhood on December 17th, you're invited to come to St. Thomas D'Aquin Catholic Church (8410 89 Street in Edmonton) at 7 p.m. for possibly the most Christmassy hour or two you'll ever spend. Bring a friend or three, a little non-perishable something for the Food Bank, and a few dollars in case you feel like buying a craft from our Day Program Craft Sale. All are welcome!
And if you don't live nearby, watch your local papers, community announcements or school notice boards and enjoy a Christmas pageant in your area. In a world where radio and TV stations only seem to play "holiday tunes" and "seasonal specials," it's a treat to hear real Christmas carols and watch a real Christmas play unfold before your eyes... I can't wait!
2 comments:
When I was a Lutheran, I attended a Christmas Eve event at the church. We were all sitting there listening to the message when all of a sudden there was a bang at the side door. Our pastor opened it and revealed a couple who requested help. They were cold and had no where to go...to our HORROR, our pastor said something nasty and shut the door in their faces! Several members stood up in outrage and protested so loudly that the surprise was sprung a wee bit early. It was all an act, a very effective act,lol to get us to think about the Nativity story. We were taken outside to walk through our very own live Nativity scene. It was a pretty magical night.
Wow, talk about making it real! Magical is a good word for the L'Arche pageant, too.
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