St. Mary Magdalene Stages Memorable Live Nativity

By Marie M. Mulvenna, Special To The Bulletin

Published: December 18, 2003

SHARPSBURG—It was a bitter cold night, just like a night over 2,000 years ago when a donkey carrying the Virgin Mary was led by St. Joseph through darkened fields to a humble stable. There, a bed of straw and farm animals awaited the infant Jesus’ birth, the first Nativity.

This year, the live reenactment of the Nativity was presented at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Friday evening, Dec. 12. The setting was perfect, a tin barn located on the parish property. A star hung at the top rafters at the front of the old barn as youngsters from the parish’s middle school religious education program excitedly prepared for their roles, checking their costumes one more time. A donkey, goat, sheep and chickens appeared on the scene as they had all those years ago.

Members of the parish and community sat in folding chairs at the entrance to the barn, bundled up for the night’s cold in scarves, heavy jackets and blankets. The celestial music of Christmas carols was provided by the parish’s children’s choir, two groups of smiling youngsters in the 4- to 6-year-old group and in the 7- to 9-year-old group.

The Virgin Mary was played by Taylor McGurl, and St. Joseph was played by Josh Rodgers. They were supported in the pageant by St. Elizabeth, played by Emily Tomasi; the angel Gabriel, played by Elizabeth Garber; and the three kings played by Nathan Brockman, Nicholas Rodgers and Ryan Swisher. The shepherds were Danielle Brockman, Melissa Davidson, Amanda Keller, Claire Lundy, Douglas Lundy, Derek Maier, Brooke Miranda, Miranda Moore, Emily Rodgers, Ali Rojas and Kristopher Ryan.

The performance began with a reenactment of the Annunciation with the angel Gabriel appearing to the Virgin Mary to tell her she would be the mother of the Messiah. The second scene was that of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, who was herself with child. The final portion of the performance was that of the Nativity of Jesus.

Peter Rorabaugh, youth minister for the parish, wrote the script for the pageant, which was narrated by members of the youth group. The children’s choir was directed by Tracy Martin and Deborah Triggs and guitar music was by Mark Fuchs. The variety of farm animals was provided for the Nativity by Sandy Hurlbutt of Country Junction in Alvaton. Hurlbutt’s goat almost stole the show, refusing to budge from the front of the manger in spite of the shepherd’s efforts. The bleating of sheep added an authentic touch as the pageant unfolded.

A favorite stop after the chilly evening was the outdoor carport where the members of the women’s guild provided hot cocoa and cookies for performers and guests. Scores of luminaries lit the pathway to the barn from nearby fields that served as parking lots for the evening. Members of the Knights of Columbus provided parking assistance.

The panorama of a cold night in open fields with a lit manger, farm animals and a star high above the barn door was a setting that will not soon be forgotten by the people of St. Mary Magdalene Church as they prepare for the Nativity of Jesus in just a few days.

The live Nativity pageant will be presented again on Friday evening, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at the parish, which is located on Lower Fayetteville Road and State Highway 154.