As St. Dunstan’s Children’s Ministry Coordinator, it’s both my job and my absolute pleasure to organize the Christmas Eve Pageant each year. Every December, the congregation gathers to watch what seems like a perfect, serene reenactment of the Christmas story. But what they don’t see is what goes on behind the scenes – the chaos, the laughter, and the unexpected moments that make it all truly magical.
So, buckle up, folks. It’s time for an Inside Edition look at this year’s pageant, where perfection is overrated and surprises are always in supply.
Act One: The Drama Before the Drama
It all started with an unexpected message from the mother of one of our children on Christmas Eve morning. Her son was under the weather and, to make matters worse, he was scheduled to play one of the Wisemen AND be a reader during the service! A wave of panic swept over me as I scrambled to find a solution to this double dilemma. But then, just as hope seemed lost, our Christmas miracle arrived in the form of Carsyn Schattle! With no hesitation, she stepped in at the last minute and flawlessly delivered both roles. Carsyn, a familiar face in our Pageant since she was very little, has likely played every role in the book. I will always be grateful to her for stepping up and saving the day when we needed her most!
Other Saviors on the Scene
Our beloved stable scene, which had been teetering on the brink of collapse for several years, was finally replaced this year with a sturdier, more impressive version. The honor of bringing it to life fell to engineer extraordinaire Barry Lofton, father of three-year-old twins Charlie and Claire. Barry crafted us a much more "stable" stable, however, I don’t think Barry ever imagined his talents would extend to shepherding. It seemed his little lambs needed more guidance than just a shepherd’s crook could provide. So, there he was, donning the full shepherd's costume to guide his little lambs down the aisle and up to the manger. A true hero in more ways than one! The same could easily be said of Chris Blankenheim and Skylar Stewart. Chris, stepping into the role of shepherd, proudly escorted his little lamb, Penny Lane, up the aisle with all the grace of a seasoned pro. Meanwhile, Skylar embraced the role of an adult angel, gliding gracefully down the aisle to lead her sister, Glenda, along with the other little angels. Together, they added a heavenly touch to the scene.
Screaming Goats in the Manger
Things seemed to be going well when, in the middle of the play, a loud screech pierced the air. I immediately assumed one of the children was upset. I heard it again, but as I scanned the scene, I noticed one of my volunteers, Jennifer Tucker, barely containing her laughter nearby. She quickly filled me in: the culprit was her youngest daughter, Riley, who was also part of the sheep fold. Apparently, Riley had recently discovered a video depicting “screaming goats” and was enthusiastically channeling her inner goat! Suddenly, everything clicked, and I couldn’t help but laugh along!
Baby Jesus Disappearing Act
During our rehearsal for the Pageant, everything seemed in place: baby Jesus was carefully tucked under the blanket at one end of the wooden manger. But just before the service began, the makeshift bed had to be moved so everyone could take their places at the altar. One of our dads quickly replaced the manger just in time for the show to start. As the moment approached for baby Jesus to make his grand entrance, I was stunned by the looks of utter surprise and disbelief on the faces of Mary and Joseph when baby Jesus was nowhere to be found! A wave of panic swept through the stable as they frantically searched under and around the manger. In a flurry, they turned to our calm narrator, Catherine Penco, who whispered, “Look under the other end of the blanket.” With a collective sigh of relief, the baby Jesus finally emerged, safe and sound—apparently having been turned around during the set prep!
Final Act
As the Pageant came to a close, I was filled with gratitude for everyone who made it such a success. From the children who brought so much energy and heart to their roles, to the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly—each person played a vital part in making this special event happen. Thank you to all the kids and volunteers for your time, effort, and dedication.
There’s an age-old rule for entertainers: “never work with animals or children.” But in this case, I’d argue that children and animals are exactly what made our Christmas Pageant so entertaining! Their energy, charm, and unpredictability brought a special joy to the performance that could never be replicated. They are the heart of the Pageant, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Angela
