3. The Nativity Story

Each December Shelburne’s First Baptist Church presents a Nativity Drama in scenes set up on the church grounds. Luminaries set along the entrance light the way to where the Nativity will play.

The community is invited to come and follow the narrator as the story unfolds from scene to scene. Between each sequence carols are sung that reflect the scene’s story. The narrator, a congregation member, sometimes is costumed or is in modern dress). He explains the story as the audience follows him from scene to scene.

At the end of the presentation, the gathered audience is invited into the church to enjoy hot chocolate, cider and one of the 300 homemade donuts made ahead of time by the women of the church.

The Nativity Story.

If the air is cold and the grounds are snow-covered, the warm and lighted church after the presentation is welcome!

The church pastor, Tom Enman, writes the basic script and other church members help add to the story and the dialogue. In the past years there have been different versions written of the story, most often ending with the Manger scene.

Many church members contribute their talents to build and furnish the outdoor sets and sew the costumes. The lights are handled by the teenage boys in the congregation. And yes, there have been different animals who took part in the story including been cows, llamas, a pony and, of course, sheep. One year, members Will and Kelly Murphy were so taken with the idea, they bought sheep especially for the presentation!

Last year’s drama was entitled A Responding in Faith. It told how people who heard and hear the story have responded in faith down through the ages. Each of the principles; Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and wise men come to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy ending with the recognition of the baby Christ by Anna and Simeon when brought before them in the temple.

Worshipping with the Wise Men was another of the dramas. Mary and Joseph begin their journey to Bethlehem. The next scene depicts the angels’ visitation to the shepherds who then visit Mary and Joseph in the Manger Scene. The next scene is two years hence in King Herod’s Hall. Enter the three Wise Men who ask about Jesus. The Wise Men visit Christ’s parents and find little Jesus. They then offer gifts to the family.

A third year the story presented Old testament Prophet scenes beginning with a modern-day family discussing the Nativity story then going to see the drama. The father explains the Biblical prophesies and the scene opens on the Prophet David and repeats prophecies and explains why Christ came to Earth. The next two scenes focus on three wooden crosses representing Christ’s crucifixion, the empty tomb, then lights shine up into the sky to represent that Christ has risen.

This year the drama will be presented on December 12 and 13 with two showings at 6 and 7:30 p.m. each evening.

2. The Christmas Sentinel

“The biggest and best Christmas Tree we’ve ever had!”

“Big” and “best” were my brother Pete’s favorite words.

It was the biggest, if not the best, tree. It was tall—we cut off the top to fit it into the house. It filled the living room and our hopes for the holiday.

December 1942. American forces were fighting in Europe and dad was on a Liberty Ship in the North Atlantic to Europe with supplies. But he sent no letters.

Mom directed the tree trimming. No tree lights allowed. “Lights can be seen miles away. If a German plane comes, its pilot won’t know where the land begins if you keep the shades tight,” our fire warden warned.

The tree warmed and snow bits melted making puddles on the floor. We tried not to track the water. Our dog was less mindful.

“There.” We admired our handiwork. “Looks good doesn’t it? Like a tall sentinel on guard showing all its colorful medals.”

“Dad would love this tree,” Pete said. “He likes things big.”

At school we sang carols and melted candle stubs to make presents. I struggled to knit a scarf for dad. And we practiced drills. “If there’s an air raid, immediately get under your desks and wait for the sirens’ all clear,” we were told. We snickered. We didn’t understand the gravity of the exercise.

When Christmas finally came, it was uneventful. We opened presents—a sweater, a book, hand knit mittens. Mom had our candle presents in case the electricity failed. Stray tree needles dropped on dad’s unopened presents. Our dog ducked under the branches catching needles in his fur.

One January morning before school, mom said, “Guess I’ll take down the tree today.”

“No, no,” we chorused. “Not yet. Dad has to see it first.”

We insisted. Each day she would brush needles off dad’s packages and sweep what the dog tracked into the kitchen.

My friend Patty came to visit. “That your Christmas tree? Mom took ours down December 26. She likes things picked up.”

“We’re keeping it up until dad comes home,” we said bravely.

“And what if he doesn’t?”

“We know he will.”

“My mother says he might not,” she said, repeating her mother’s prediction.

One mid-February day we heard excited voices outside. My classmates, led by Patty, were peeking in the window at our tree. She pushed them closer to look. They laughed and pointed.

“Looks like a skeleton. It’s scary.”

“Christmas is over. It’s almost Easter. Maybe they’ll hang Easter eggs on it.”

“That’s funny.”

We almost gave up. “Maybe we will have to hang eggs on the branches.”

One cold day in late March, we came home early. In the snowmelt in our driveway we saw our tree lying there-looking forlorn. We rushed into the house.

But we heard laughter. Dad! Home! Concern for our tree was forgotten at the brush of his beard on my cheek.

And our biggest and best Christmas tree? We sawed it, trunk, branches and ribbons, and ceremoniously burned the pieces.

Except for one faded yellow ribbon bow which I have kept to this day.

1. Sancta Lucia Festival

It is the sanctuary of Covenant Community Church. The light is just bright enough so the audience can enter and find seats. It is the Essex church’s 20th anniversary presentation of the Sancta Lucia Festival.

The lights dim and the celebration begins with a prelude, a welcome and Christmas song sung in Swedish. Slowly the room grows brighter as a procession led by young children dressed as Swedish folk creatures such as trolls and Tomten and star children enter, carrying lit candles. The group sings a Swedish song and dances a Swedish folk dance to guitar and fiddle music.

Enter two narrators, a man and a woman. They greet the audience:

Goder afton, goder afton, vallommen var gast!

Vi anska eder alla en frojdefull fest!

Good evening, good evening we welcome our guests!

We all want to wish you a joyful Christmas holiday!.

They begin by telling the story of Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. More dances and Christmas songs are sung.

The narrators then tell the story of Sancta Lucia which begins on the Island of Sicily. In the fourth century early Sicilian Christians were persecuted and often hid from their tormentors in the island caves. A young girl named Lucia, born of wealthy parents, took pity and often brought food to these Christians in hiding. Her hands full , she fashioned a crown for her head to hold the candles that lit her way into the caves.

Eventually she was caught, imprisoned and put to death for her work. Later she was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. The Italian song, Santa Lucia, commemorates her valiant efforts for the Sicilian Christians.

The story tellers then explain how, in the Middle Ages, during a famine in Sweden, Lucia appeared riding on a ship that sailed Sweden’s largest lake. Again she brought food to the starving. Thus began the legend of Sancta Lucia celebrated mid-December in every Swedish household. These stories are followed by more music and dances. Then enter the escorts and attendants (teenage boys and girls) carrying candles.

They also sing Swedish songs and perform Swedish dances. After that the moment arrives and a young teenage girl enters alone dressed as Sancta Lucia in a white robe. She carries a tray of foodstuffs and wears a crown of candles decorated with Lingonberry greens.

The entire cast forms around Sancta Lucia and all sing the famous song which bears her name, “Santca Lucia.”

The entire assemblage then sings “Silent Night” and the pageant recesses.

A simple supper of cold soup (made of apple cider, pureed strawberries and dried fruits) is served with Swedish Rye bread, special Swedish Farmers’ Cheese and saffron buns made in the shape of an “S”. Also there are Swedish meat balls served with a Ligonberry side relish.

All the foodstuffs are served on trays, symbolic of the way Sancta Lucia carried food to the hidden Sicilian Christians.

Often the women of the church wear Swedish folk costumes as do some of the audience members anxious to commemorate their Swedish ancestry and perhaps find someone to whom to speak a little Swedish!

The celebration will be held December 13 at 4 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the church office at 879-4313. Susan Turner of Essex Junction is coordinator of this year’s presentation.

Margery Sharpe is a freelance writer. She lives in Hinesburg.