Community Corner

'Walk to Bethlehem' Recreates Christmas Journey

Sunday's annual Christmas pageant links together community of churches.

You can join Mary and Joseph, the Three Wise Men,  shepherds, angels and other major characters from the story of Christmas in recreating the "Walk to Bethlehem" Sunday at 4 p.m.

The pageant begins at Roman Catholic Church on South Finley Avenue and proceeds through stops  at three other churches, according to Jaye Barre, who said she has produced the local event for at least 15 years.

"With all the commercialization going on, it's nice to do something that projects the true meaning of Christmas," Barre said.

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Local participants pitch in to play the roles of the Three Wise Men, who begin the walk from St. James, and the shepherds who join the pageant from Episcopal Church, Barre said. The pageant originated at St. Mark's, she said.

The Three Kings join the pageant at Church, Barre said. The final stop, where the group finally reaches the manger scene with Baby Jesus, is at , she said.

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Barre said Trilogy Repertory Company, the local theater group of which she is president, provides the costumes, although some members of the public simply show up dressed as characters. Bill Corson coordinates the cooperation of the churches, she said.

"At each church, the choir sings," she said. The walk also is a chance to see the downtown churches, most of which are already decorated, she said. "You get a wonderful sense of community with the different churches," she said.

The entire pageant lasts between 90 minutes to two hours, she said. The annual event is held the final Sunday before Christmas regardless of the weather, Barre said.


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