A Live Nativity was performed at the Margate Community Church, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2024.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
The Margate Community Church welcomed visitors from near and far to see the stately church's fifth Live Nativity performed by members of the congregation and its youth group.
The pageant included the Holy Family surrounded by shepherds, angels and farm animals. Congregants recited the story of the birth of the Christ child and sang Christmas carols.
It was the fourth year college music student Ellie Taube performed in the pageant, this time as Mary, the mother of Christ.
I was an angel, a king, and a shepherd, but this year I was promoted to Mary, said Taube, who is home from school for the holidays. I turned 18, I'm an adult, and now I'm Mary.
Peggy Obermier of Somers Point was attending the live nativity for the first time. She is a new member of the congregation.
This is a great group of people. They are so kind and welcoming, she said.
Debbie Bambino of Margate said despite going to Catholic school for 12 years, attending the event was a new experience for her.
I never saw a live nativity before. It's so awesome to see all the animals, she said.
Barnyard Friends LLC of Mays Landing has been providing farm animals for live nativities, birthday parties and other events for more than 20 years. Due to the weather, it was unable to provide animals for the live nativity which was forced indoors at St. James Church in Ventnor on Monday.
Children received a bag of holiday treats and an angel ornament and were anxious to enter the corral to pet the cows, sheep and goats. A young man tended to a camel.
Church Deacon Betty Nathanson has been volunteering to coordinate the event for the youth group for six years, she said.
Coordinating the nativity was a challenge at first but it got better each year, she said.
Initially, the pageant was done inside the church as part of the children's service, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced it outdoors several years ago.
That turned out to be a real benefit because more and more people attend, Nathanson said. It has become very meaningful for the children, which is exactly how it's supposed to be.
The spectacle was performed on the front lawn of the brick church with the tall, white steeple several times between 4-6 p.m.
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