Christmas Pageant Sunday, Dec. 22-Monday, Dec. 23 In Nazareth

Nazareth—For the 23^rd time overall and the first time in three years, parishioners at Holy Family Church will present a Christmas Pageant.
 
Performances are scheduled Sunday, Dec. 22 and Monday, Dec. 23, both evenings at 7:30, according to parishioner Nicole Schulte.
 
The origins of the pageant date back to 1972 and a handful of parishioners have been a part of the pageant since its beginnings, she added.
 
According to a 1976 story about the pageant penned by Rita Book, the Christmas Pageant was the brainstorm of then-pastor Father (later Monsignor) Stanley Crocchiola.
Book wrote that Father Crocchiola was “a dynamic personality, with energy to spare, he is most famous for his numerous books about the early Texas Panhandle and historical writings of the New Mexican immortal Indian Chiefs.”
 
Among those Father Crocchiola shared the idea of a Christmas Pageant with was the late Donna Benke Birkenfeld, a native of Lawton, Okla., who during her college years in San Antonio sang roles in 10 different productions, ranging from musical comedies to opera. Birkenfeld wrote the original 10 scenes of script and composed two original songs for the pageant: Soldier Search and Magnificat before her untimely passing in February 1974.
 
To make this Christmas Pageant a reality takes approximately 128 people, according to Schulte, which includes actors and those behind the scenes—prop men, the choir and production assistants.
 
Charly Mask will play Mary and Dayson Schacher will play Joseph. Other cast members include:
• Hugh Durbin as Simeon;
• Mark Hoelting as Zechariah;
• Shane Ethridge as Herod;
• Spencer Acker and Pierce Wilhelm, as Common Men;
• Byron Braddock as the Child Jesus;
• Drew Brockman as the Older Jesus;
• Troy Gerber as the Angel Gabriel;
• John Fulkerson as the Inn Keeper;
• Briann Hatla as Elizabeth;
• Brice Garcia, Mickey Hochstein, Creed Hochstein and Cash Hochstein, as Shepherds;
• Dusty Braddock, Matt Olvera and Derrick Schacher, as the Wise Men;
• Bradley Gerber, Braden Wethington, Landon Schulte, Tyson Schulte and Alec Braddock as Soldiers; and,
• Kristin Braddock, Amber Gerber, Macee Huseman, Emerson Moore, Shelby Ramaekers, Kim Schulte and Shelby Schulte, as Mothers.
 
“We hope that our presentation of this pageant will give everyone a moment to take a breath and give themselves time to think about the real reason for the season with family and friends,” Schulte said.
 
This will be the seventh performance of the pageant since 2009, according to Schulte. There is no admission for the pageant and love offerings will be accepted both evenings.
 
Holy Family Church is located at 210 St. Joseph Street. For additional information about the 23^rd performance of the Nazareth Christmas Pageant, please call the Holy Family parish at 806-945-2616.