The organizers of the Shawnigan Alliance Church nativity play must have been looking up at the sky all day Saturday, Dec. 16, hoping the rain would hold off for their outdoor event that evening.
No such luck. A downpour started right in time for the first show, at 6 p.m. and continued right through it. But, the spirits of the audience were undampened and members of the large crowd simply huddled under umbrellas and blankets and proceeded to enjoy the show.
The presentations from this congregation usually take a modern angle on the birth of Jesus, and this year’s play was no exception.
It started with a group of angels manning a busy call centre at Heaven 9-1-1, and the evening just got better from there.
There were jokes, miracles, dancing, and yes, animals, but the message that those with a simple, open heart will be more likely to take note of the nativity than the self-important, who become distracted by their busy lives, was still plain to all.
Angels dance to Hallelujah, celebrating the birth of Jesus. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Angels celebrate the birth of Jesus by singing and dancing. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Learning that ‘love’ is the way God works. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Joseph, after welcoming the shepherds, shows he is ready to look after his family. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)The angels talk about how only those who are simple in heart seem to have taken note of the birth of Jesus. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)The shepherds tell Mary and Joseph how the learned about the birth of their son. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Shepherds who were outdoors with their sheep decide to go to Bethlehem. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Answering the the Heaven 911 line can be a lot of work for the busy angels. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Mary is happily awaiting her wedding, not knowing what is going to happen to her. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Joseph tells of his shock when learning that Mary, his bride-to-be, is already pregnant. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will give birth to the son of God. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Angel Michael discusses the holy birth with other angels. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)Joseph is still amazed that he and his Mary have been chosen to be the parents of Jesus. (Lexi Bainas/Citizen)
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