The Christmas celebration in the Bourg Mulatresse/El Socorro Parish has seen a few changes with the arrival of parish priest Fr Arnold Francis.

For the second consecutive year, in an effort to bring about deeper insights and meaning to our celebration, parishioners have been exposed to both the traditional and a modern interpretation of the Nativity Story.

The idea of a street theatre was conceptualised by Fr Francis with assistance from Trevon Jugmohansingh and Joyce Alcantara.

“The concept though not new, enabled the congregation and community of Bourg Mulatresse to openly support the Confirmation class,” explained Mr Jugmohansingh. “The goal is to pass on the traditions, teachings and knowledge to a new generation of Roman Catholics.”

The choir

The creche

During the Advent Season, on Saturday, December 16, the Christmas play, the Nativity Story, began in the streets of Sun Valley, adjacent to the church.

It then moved to the grotto and into the church where it culminated with the enactment of the live crèche.

At Auntie Millie’s House on Second Street, Sun Valley, Auntie Millie (Millicent Mark) playing the part of Mary’s mother, Anne, received the news of Mary’s pregnancy, in the company of Joachim.

After Mary’s announcement, everyone journeyed to First Street, to the home of Bill and Babs Bonterre, who played the part of Elizabeth and Zechariah.

The next scene saw Mary move in to stay with Joseph across the street, at the home of Stanley and Victoria Johnson (Jacob and Naomi). It was here that they got news of the census and journeyed to Jerusalem.

They moved from inn to inn in the city (small church hall) and was directed to the stable (church grotto) by the innkeeper where the baby Jesus, represented by the Inniss’ twin boys) was born. Angels sang and shepherds came.

The parents of Jesus then went to the Temple (church sanctuary) where they were met by Simeon and Anna. There they offered up the child.

After the child was presented, the live crèche took shape. The angels were already present, since they had preceded Jesus to the Temple. The shepherds came and to the singing of the carol, The Shepherd Boy, the Drummer Girl made her entrance.

The Three Kings came from three different directions while the congregation  sang We Three Kings. The Drummer Girl, Jacob and Naomi, Elizabeth and Zechariah, and Mary’s mother Anne, were all present in the Temple.

Simeon gave thanks to the Lord for he had seen the promised “revelation to the gentiles”. To the singing of King of Glory Come the celebrations ended. This was our “Street Theatre” and the traditional story of the Nativity.

“Is When God Ready”

Christmas celebrations continued with the usual ceremonies. On the feast of the Epiphany, Sunday, January 7, our Christmas celebration came to an end with another play entitled “Is when God Ready” This was the modern version of the Nativity. The main actors came from the Confirmation class.

In this version of the Nativity, Mary’s pregnancy came via the cell phone complete with static and voice mail. On the way to visit Elizabeth, a taxi was used. There was the usual traffic jam and potholes in the road.

 The persons who came to visit the baby Jesus came eating doubles and drinking soft drinks. All communication took place with the use of the telephone.

This modern version of the Nativity was the brainchild of Jeff Francis our “adopted nephew” from Antigua. Prior to the play there were various performances from the following groups and individuals: St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph, Las Estrellas de San José, Asha Subran and Diamanda Garnes, Rae’ann Guerra, Theresa McIntosh, Renee and Rachel Celestine and Tamara Cooper

The packed church hall agreed that the event was “a joy to be shared by all”.