WHATELY — The Whately Congregational Church’s Nativity play is both part of the church’s Christmas celebrations and a community event that locals have come to expect.
The play, which was Sunday afternoon, has been going on longer than any of its organizers can easily remember. It was already a tradition when the Rev. Cynthia Crosson-Harrinton started as the church’s pastor in 2007 and the same costumes have been used and reused for at least 15 years, said Adelia Bardwell, one of the church members who helps organize the play.
The classic Nativity story comes mostly from Luke’s gospel, Crosson-Harrington said. Joseph and the pregnant Mary seek shelter at an inn, but it’s all booked. The innkeeper lets them stay in the barn, with the animals. This is where Jesus is born. Some local shepherds hear about what happened and come to see for themselves. The wise men, or kings, who are led to the baby Jesus by signs in the stars, is a detail taken from Matthew.
It was acted out in the parking lot behind the church. About 30 people gathered around the shed, which was filled with animals provided by local farmers — chickens, goats, two oxen and a heifer. There was an electric keyboardist and audience members got sheets with lyrics to sing along. Crosson-Harrington narrated the story.
“We’ll have an opportunity to get into the spirit of Christmas, and to get a sense of what may have happened,” she said in her introduction to the play.
Many of the actors have been in the play for at least a few years. And because Crosson-Harrington does all the talking, the parts are fairly easy, said Brian Belder, who has played Joseph four years in a row.
“I don’t say anything. I just stand there and look pretty,” he said.
All three of the wise men — Jack Cooper, John Pease and Ken Moulton — had played the same roles in the play for at least two years.
“We’re type-cast,” Cooper said. “We look like kings.”
There are 12 roles altogether: Crosson-Harrington as the narrator, the keyboard player, three wise men, three shepherds, the angel who lets the shepherds know what’s going on, the innkeeper, Joseph and Mary.
In some years, there has also been a role for a baby, said Bardwell, one of the organizers of the play. But this year, the baby Jesus was represented by a doll.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 261.