On The Town: First Presbyterian presents its nativity pageant

As the holiday season, and the year itself slip into history, many Burbankers will be remembering 2014 with memories of the extravagant nativity pageants presented by local churches.

Having featured the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s third annual presentation of its Christmas Nativity Festival and Westminster Presbyterian Church’s 10th annual production of “Nativity: The Musical!” in this column over the past few weeks, we end the year with a look back at First Presbyterian Church’s beautiful and unique recreation of the crèche.

Presented as a step back in time to the night the Christ child was born, members of First Pres transformed their East Olive Avenue parking lot into “Bethlehem Village.”

As guests to the little town arrived, they were welcomed by Census takers who presented them with recreations of the currency that was used in Bethlehem under the reign of the Emperor Augustus Caesar.

Once passing into the straw-covered streets of the village, visitors mingled with local townspeople, and shopkeepers of the era were provided a historical lesson on the foods, spices, ornamental art, shops and lifestyles that existed during the time of Christ’s birth.

Under the watchful eye of Roman soldiers, the marketplace was abuzz as vendors offered ornaments, spices, olives, nuts, hummus, pita bread, books and jewelry in exchange for the coins the visitors received as they entered the village.

The highlight of this annual pageant was, of course, a magnificent telling of the age-old story as angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus and eastern magi and shepherds with their herd of sheep and goats arrived at the manger to welcome the newborn king.

This annual event, produced and directed by Kathy Purdy with the assistance of Liz Weiss and the technical wizardry of the husband-and-wife team of Alex and Abbey Wysocki, represents the work of more than 100 church congregants.

Among those whose creativity and dedication brought this beautiful event alive this year were the church’s Senior Pastor Ross Purdy, Steven Pierce, Sean Scott, Tim Black, Elijah Parrot, Jacob Purdy, Ralph and Holly Hitchin, Brian Lockwood, Dave Lessley, Bruce Corbin, Dave Herman, Carolyn Jackson and Hepzibeth Pardo.

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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.