UP Homes prepares for intergenerational Christmas program

The United Presbyterian Home will be retelling the story of the birth of Jesus through narration and music at their Christmas Pageant on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 2:30 p.m. in the Michael Moore Family Dining Room on campus. The name of the Pageant is The Christmas Story: Jesus is the Same - Yesterday, Today & Forever.

Cast members have been practicing for a couple of weeks for the annual program. The cast includes 28 UP Home residents and around 10 kids from the UP with Kids Daycare. Children from the UP with Kids Day Care also will participate in the pageant, including an employee's infant playing the role of Baby Jesus.

'It will be a modern-day skit centering around a conversation between two young people about church and more specifically about a church Christmas program. One will convince the other to attend her church's Christmas program and then the two kids watch and listen to the church's pageant while making commentary throughout,” said Spiritual Wellness Director Andrew Zuehlke. 'We will have traditional shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph; baby Jesus as well as modern-day characters that show that the message of Christ and Christmas is just as relevant today as it was back then.”

The cast has been practicing for the Christmas program for the last month with one dress rehearsal. There also will be special music by residents Sara Bartlett, Lucy Landon and Bob Crane.

'We are excited about the program as it brings together the variety of our community with a mission to communicate one of the greatest events in all of history; the birth of Christ, the Son of God!” said Zuehlke.

Everyone is invited to attend the program which includes special music and congregational singing. After the Pageant, everyone is welcome to stay for refreshments and fellowship.