The Gate: A Christmas Pageant
Welcome to The Gate, the village square of Bethlehem. Children sell bread, spices, dates, olive oil and goat cheese. An old man preaches to a handful of listeners. Soldiers stroll about, keeping an eye on the crowd. A money changer haggles with a customer. A local official listens to grievances. A woman dips a jug into a well, the life-blood of the village. It’s an unusually busy day in this sleepy little village. People, mostly strangers, fill the streets. They aren’t very happy about it, having walked long, dusty miles to be taxed. Still, it is exciting to the villagers. Business will be good, too! And, though they don’t know it yet, something special will happen here today. Three young students – Eunice, Aaron and Abigail – arrive. Sent by their teacher, they are to interview people, find out what’s going on in suddenly busy Bethlehem. What they learn - and what they do - capture afresh the familiar story of the Nativity.
The people of The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa invite you to share with us the joy of Christmas, the promise of the Holy Child of Bethlehem. The Gate, starring the youth of the church, will be presented during Sunday worship.