You may remember being part of a church Christmas pageant, or think about the most famous pageant of all in a Charlie Brown Christmas Special. But forget the sheep, the angels and the three kings in bathrobes – it’s a new day!  This year, the characters from Star Wars will be telling the story of Jesus’ birth. 

It may not have been in a galaxy far far away, but it was a long time ago. What would Mary think if C3PO and R2D2 approached her in Nazareth?

“The kids love it when there is something in the pageant just for them,” Rev. Mary Beene, pastor of FPC said. “Last year, it was Undercover Boss and this year it’s Star Wars. We can be fun and funny and still talk about the serious reasons Jesus came to earth, God with us.”

Rev. Beene said she tries to emphasize with the kids how important they are in telling this story year after year in new ways. 

“This may be the first time someone has really heard the story,” Beene said. “Instead of being the students, this is an important night when the kids become the teachers - the ones who are spreading the gospel.”

But mostly the church is just having fun at Christmas.  The event will begin with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m.  with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Afterwards, there is a visit from Santa, with time for pictures and gifts.  Every child who comes will receives a small present and every child is welcome to participate in the pageant.

“There are plenty of non-speaking parts each year,” show director Susan Greene said.  “We can find a costume for any child who just wants to participate.”

There are also a few speaking roles still available for children who can make practices from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons between now and the performance.

“We have children from several churches in the community and a couple with no church home at all,” Beene said. “This is truly a community effort.”

FBC is located at 2000 Lexington Ave. in Rincon. For more information, contact Rev. Mary Beene at 912-856-2806 or faithpresbyterianchurch@windstream.com.