This Sunday is Christmas Pageant Sunday! A special thank you to Heidi Buser for again organizing our annual pageant with its Dr. Seuss-esque narration. To anyone who says that Christmas pageants have seen their day, we say: “Nope! Come this Sunday and see why!”

For generations, Christmas pageants have been a beloved part of the season. They are equal parts storytelling, teaching, and holy chaos. But behind the adorable moments and the familiar carols lies a deeper history and a profound spiritual purpose.

Christmas pageants began in the Middle Ages as a way to bring Scripture to life in communities where few people could read. Churches dramatized the Nativity so that everyone could enter into the story of God-with-us. 

At their core, pageants have always been about access: making the story of Jesus’ birth something people can see, hear, feel, and participate in. They remind us that the good news doesn’t stay on a page; it “becomes flesh and lives among us”.

All children and youth are welcome to join in the Pageant this Sunday. No rehearsal needed. Just show up a little early, choose a costume, and come into the sanctuary when you get your cue. It’s that simple! And here’s the best part: those children and youth who participate will be absorbing a narrative of hope, compassion, courage, and radical welcome. They may not realize it in the moment, but they are joining in an act of faith formation. 

And adults receive a gift, too. When the story is told, we hear it fresh. We see the vulnerability of the manger more clearly. We’re reminded that God often chooses the youngest among us to carry the biggest messages.

In a progressive church like ours, the pageant becomes more than a reenactment. It becomes a witness to the kind of world we are called to build. A world where all children know they are loved. A world where differences are celebrated. A world where the humble are lifted up and where every person has a place in the story of God’s love.

You won’t want to miss it. Come ready to smile, to sing, and to experience the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of our young parishioners. 

And here’s an idea: invite a friend or neighbor! Pageants are one of the simplest and most joyful ways to share the good news of this season.

Let’s gather together, celebrate our children and youth, and step once more into the beautiful story of God’s hope, peace, joy, and love breaking into the world.

See you in church,

–Rev. Dominic