Bethlehem by the Beach : Family’s Traditional Play Shares Christmas Spirit With Neighbors

Monica Valentino has always wanted Christmas to be special for her children.

She wanted to introduce them to the true Christmas spirit, free and untainted from commercial wrappings. A trip to a department store to see a slouching, pillow-stuffed Santa just wouldn’t do.

So she put on an impromptu Nativity play at her Solana Beach home, casting neighborhood children to play Mary and Joseph and act like barn animals.

On Saturday, for the 10th year in a row, Monica and Bob Valentinos’ living room became Bethlehem.

Began 18 Years Ago

The Valentinos’ Christmas tradition actually originated 18 years ago, when Santa landed his reindeer in front of the Valentino home in Burbank as a special Christmas for their first child, Dominique. Every year since, a family friend, or a godfather, has been chosen to play the cherubic role, and the Valentinos have invited friends and toddlers to make their Christmas wishes to Santa in person.

Though the Christmas play hasn’t gone Broadway, friends, neighbors, and children say it’s a smashing success.

The Valentinos have been in San Diego County for a decade now, but friends from up north make the trip down to have their kids star in the yearly production.

“I haven’t missed one of the Christmas parties in 18 years,” said Judy Johnson, who drove down from Placentia. “Well, I might have missed one, but that was only because I had pneumonia.”

Couldn’t ‘Miss It’

“There’s no way I could miss it,” said Johnson, who has been friends with Valentino since the 7th grade. “The holiday season doesn’t start until I come here to see the play.”

Presents, presents and more presents. Children usually consider that word synonymous with Christmas, Valentino said.

“That’s why I decided to put on the play. To remind the children that Christmas is the day the baby Jesus was born. I wanted them to understand that this was a loving time, a time for fellowship.”

The first play 10 years ago, however, had a minor hitch. Valentino had trouble casting for the baby Jesus: Nobody had an infant handy, so they used a doll. Fortunately the next year, the Valentinos had the youngest of their three children, Danielle, to play the leading role.

Star Easily Found

This year, finding a star wasn’t difficult. Monica’s brother, Richard Ray and his wife, Cindy, introduced their 2-month old daughter, Cassandra, to the theatrical world. Surprisingly, 10 minutes before the curtain was scheduled to go up, “Cassie” showed no signs of stage fright. She was sound asleep, but stage mom Cindy wasn’t upset.

“I hope she stays this way,” Cindy said. “Otherwise, we’re going to have a screaming Jesus.”

The play wasn’t all talk. The 15- minute skit was filled with children caroling holiday tunes such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “The First Noel” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

After nine years of starring in her mother’s play, Danielle Valentino--she’s played every part except the innkeeper and the camel--has learned the true meaning of Christmas.

‘Jesus Was Born’

“Most kids only think about presents when it’s Christmas time,” said Danielle, who had her golden hair crowned with flowers for the role of Mary. “But this is important because this is the day Jesus was born. It’s a time of friendship and love.”

Though Danielle has already played the part of Mary, she had her reasons to do it for a second time.

“I wanted to play Mary this year because my cousin (Cassandra) just came into the world. I’ll probably play the camel next year.”

“I think this is a special way to celebrate Christmas,” said Veronique James, 8, who was dressed in a white-laced dress, butterfly wings and a necklace of stars. “This is the second time I’m playing an angel, and I’ve been a camel twice, too.”

But there might have been other incentives, besides kicking off the holiday season, to take a part in the play.

Looks Play a Role

Todd Teetzel, 9, admitted he was a bit embarrassed sticking his head through the cardboard hump of a camel but he couldn’t turn down Danielle’s invitation to play a role.

“I think she’s really pretty,” said Todd, who sported an egg-nog mustache. His best buddy, Matt Nourse,, 8, who played Joseph, had similar motives. “She’s really pretty.”

But getting presents from Santa wasn’t all that bad either, said the two.

Watching families grow, with each new addition to a family joining the cast, makes the tradition worthwhile, said Pamela Everett, Monica’s school chum since the ninth grade.

“I’ve made it to most of them (the Valentinos’ Christmas parties),” said Everett, who drove south from Fullerton. “Watching everybody here is like watching one big family evolve. Each year, there’s a new baby who comes and play Jesus. You see new friendships being made, old ones getting closer. I couldn’t miss this.”

Started Holiday

That’s the same way, Dominique Valentino feels. After all, it was Dominique who started the holiday affair.

“This has been such a big part of my growing up, I can’t imagine a Christmas without it,” she said. “This has become so important, this day is almost like Christmas Day for me.”

The annual event is held the first Saturday in December.

And too soon, the curtain fell. Parents applauded, cameras flashed for a last time, and Monica Valentino had once again directed the play without a hitch. But there was only one conspicuous absence.

Ebenezer Scrooge wasn’t there.