On Sunday, the village of San Lawrenz will once again be transformed into a a living Bible to narrate the greatest story ever told in the – Christmas Pageant.

As the evening goes on the story of our salvation will evolve, it start with the creation of Adam and Eve and the story closes with the visit of the Magi.

This unique pageant unfolds around the village, starting from the village’s Parish Church, the story continues from the church parvis along the main streets of San Lawrenz, including the use of some of the village’s households. More than half of the villagers take part in this event.

This year, the first part of the pageant will feature actors who, aside getting out from the church, will stage a spectacular 3D projection show on the façade of the church, complementing the performances of these actors.

At the conclusion of the pageant on the church square, there will be a concert by the SCJ Children’s Choir and SCJ Youths Choir.

This pageant has a long tradition. A couple of years after the Second World War, the parish priest Dun George Debrincat succeeded in producing a musical nativity play.

The participants were all males except for a few girls under twelve years who had a minor role. There were many hurdles to be surmounted. Costumes had to be sewn, scenes had to be painted, and so on, and all in a very difficult time.

Their efforts were rewarded with the event well attended. In the journal Ghawdex we read that the play It-Twelid ta’ Gesu Bambin was a great success and about 3000 people attended.

However the first real pageant was performed in 1969, when George Borg discovered that the costumes of those early productions had survived.

With just twelve days to go before Christmas Eve, he announced that they were to be put into use again, for the first Christmas pageant, when forty characters took part.

More and more people have joined in over the years, and nowadays over hundred and fifty take part in this very popular, annual and unique pageant.

An organising committee has prepared all the logistics for those attending to be immersed in a true Christmas spirit.

So please keep the date free and be sure not to miss this beautiful spectacle. It takes place this Sunday the 17th of December, from 7pm onwards.

Photograph: San Lawrenz Parish

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