Dec. 25, 2008 — The hills were alive, with the sounds of donkeys. Luckily, there were also songs that have been sung for years as performed by shepherds and angels recently at a humble stable, as St. Croix Reformed Church (SCRC) celebrated the birth of Jesus with a live nativity complete with livestock.
High atop Kingshill, more than 60 people played an active part in the annual nativity and pageant, along with braying donkeys and bleating lambs. Everyone there who had ever wanted to play the part of Mary, a Wise Man, angels, stars or shepherds had the chance to perform the role.
"This is for everyone who missed out playing the part they wanted in Christmas pageants as a child," said Janie Koopmans, wife of Rod Koopmans, pastor at SCRC.
There were blue veils and baby dolls for all who played Mary, gold foil crowns and scarves for the wise men, white marabou wings and halos for angels and head scarves and staffs for the shepherds.
No rehearsal was required for the pageant, with each role assigned singing parts. Their cues were printed in the program. As the sun set over hills of St. Croix, the shepherds began the pageant with "Go Tell It On the Mountain."
"This is a fun way to do a pageant — with no rehearsal necessary," Rod Koopmans said.
Koopmans said the pageant is in its 10th year with the animals added three years ago, with the help of parishioner Sue Lakos, from the University of the Virgin Islands extension office
Children, playing the part of shepherds, appeared to be having fun running around trying to tether two soft, little St. Croix white lambs who were not cooperating. The lambs were from the UVI agricultural experiment station research flock.
"I thought this was fun doing the pageant with live animals," said Samantha Cary, one of the young shepherds. "The lambs are really cool."
Various speakers read from Matthew and Luke and a narrative taken from the book "Kneeling in Bethlehem" by Ann Weems.
Three members of Crucian Brass provided instrumentals during the pageant, closing with "Joy to the World."
According to Janie Koopman, attendance was good this year and people were happy to take part in the pageant.
"This is a family tradition and I was glad to take part since I'm home for the holidays," said Alex Cissel.
The whole Cissel family took part in the pageant as they have for years with William, Tommy and Alex playing wise men and Sue playing Mary.
"This was my big chance to be an angel," said Laurie Wakefield. "It was a lot of fun."
There appeared to be no debate on the top of Kingshill about the economy or commercialism of Christmas. The message was peace, love and tolerance.
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