Local

St. Bernadette students usher in Christmas in song

Elizabeth A. Elliott | Catholic Herald Staff Writer

First- and second-graders from St. Bernadette School perform “Go Tell It on the Mountain” at St. Bernadette Church in Springfield Dec. 13. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_LR_20181213_Christmas_Pageant_HJP_06.jpg

The fourth- and fifth-graders perform “Night of Silence/Silent Night.” JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_LR_20181213_Christmas_Pageant_HJP_24.jpg

Third-graders dressed as shepherds guard their flock. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_LR_20181213_Christmas_Pageant_HJP_32.jpg

The Wise men approach Bethlehem at St. Bernadette Church Dec. 13. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

CROP_LR_20181213_Christmas_Pageant_HJP_44.jpg

Mary Halick, middle school music teacher, directs the students as they sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

LR_20181213_Christmas_Pageant_HJP_48.jpg

Hark, angels are singing. 
The mountains are alive with the message of Jesus’ birth.

Kindergarteners through eighth-graders rang in the Christmas
season with a pageant at St. Bernadette School in Springfield Dec. 13.

“The annual pageant is a treasured part of preparation for
Christmas at St. Bernadette,” said Mary Halick, middle school music teacher.
“Every year, families look forward to hearing the kindergartens sing ‘Away in a
Manger’ and many students still remember the simple hand motions they learned
when they were in kindergarten.”

Principal Barbara Dalmut introduced the program. “We
are so privileged to celebrate the event that completely changed the course of
history,” she said. “We will do everything we can to keep Jesus in
the middle of Christmas.”

The entire church began with a rendition of “O Come, O Come
Emmanuel.” Kindergarteners sang “Away in a Manger.” Singing about the “little
Lord Jesus asleep on the hay,” students placed their hands like a pillow on
their cheek.

First- and second-graders sang “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
while raising their hands above their heads, making the shape of a triangle
mountain. They cupped their mouths as megaphones to tell it on the mountain.

Sixth- through eighth-graders sang “Glory (Let there be
Peace),” a contemporary song by Matt Maher; and fourth- and fifth-graders sang
the medley “Silent Night” and “Night of Silence.”

Third-graders retold the Christmas story, taking turns
narrating as others wore costumes and moved around the church. A tiny manger
was placed on the altar to signify where Jesus was born after Mary and Joseph
walked down the church aisle. They were attended to by angels, students dressed
as animals and three magi brought up gifts. Their part ended with the song “Joy
to the World.”

“The third-graders are so excited they sometimes ask their
teachers what part they will get to play in September,” said Halick.

Students turned around to face their parents who sat in the
back half of the church while they sang “We Wish you a Merry
Christmas” and “Feliz Navidad.”

“We hope the students learn how important and fun it is to
come together as a community to share and celebrate,” said Halick. “Our goal is
to have all students participate while focusing on the reason for the season.
God is the reason we sing. God gave us each unique voices, and each voice is
important to him.”

Related Articles