St. Michael’s pageant brings churchgoers together on Christmas Eve
St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church’s Christmas pageant returned for another year on Wednesday, Dec. 24, making new Christmas memories for actors and audience members alike.
The pageant is an annual tradition that sees young churchgoers adorn costumes of Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds and angels in a reenactment of the Nativity story. It has been run by Herb Nichol and his wife for over 25 years and takes place before the church’s evening Mass on Christmas Eve.
Nichol said he and his wife have been leading it for so long that some parents recall him leading during their own time in the pageant while their children currently act in it.
“It’s become a tradition for them. It’s really a big motivator to see some of these people grow up and then have their own kids in it,” he said.
About 20 children from across All Saints Parish’s churches participated in this year’s rendition. Some actors were as young as 3 and 4 years old, with more major roles being taken on by the older elementary school students.
Nichol said he believes activities such as the pageant serve as important connection points to the Nativity story and other Biblical tales.
“I think it gives them the chance to experience the story firsthand. Children learn by doing, so they really learn the story by doing the story,” he said.
None of the roles required speaking, but eighth-grader, Kaelyn Gapinski, served as a narrator. She previously played both Mary and an angel when she was younger.
“I think it’s really exciting and a fun thing for the whole community,” she said.
Nichol took a moment to address the audience before the show got underway to explain a little bit of how and why the pageant is put on.
“We get to see Christmas through their eyes, which is just such a precious thing,” he said.
He also asked former participants in the audience to raise their hands, to which around a dozen shot up.
The play then took the audience through the Nativity story from Mary and Joseph’s arrival in Bethlehem to the arrival and gifts from the three wise men. The play concluded with the church all singing “Joy to the World” before mass began at 4:30 p.m.
Nichol said he is glad to give people a fun activity that still connects them with the story behind Christmas.
“Parishioners enjoy it too. I think there’s a real magic in the air on Christmas Eve and its important to remember the real reason for the season,” Nichol said.
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Two of the shepards wait for their turn to take the stage as part of the Christmas pageant at All Saints Parish St. Michaels in Butler Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mary and Jospeh, played by Kylie Gapinski and Joe Klimek, walk down the isle to the stage during the Christmas pageant at All Saints Parish St. Michaels in Butler Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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From left, Rocco Savannah, Arnold Smith and John Kliniek play the Three Wise Kings in the Christmas pageant at All Saints Parish St. Michaels in Butler Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Harper Savannah, playing the role of Angel of The Lord, carries the star that guides the Three Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus in a Christmas pageant retelling the Christmas story at All Saints Parish St. Michaels in Butler Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Angels bearing candles walk down the isle during the Christmas play retelling the Christmas pageant at All Saints Parish St. Michaels in Butler Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Children at All Saints Parish St. Michaels get ready to perform in the Christmas pageant retelling the Christmas story Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Herb Nichol introduces the Christmas pageant at All Saints Parish St. Michaels in Butler Wednesday, Dec. 24. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
