It all begins with a call from God to the Archangel Michael and the Heavenly Host. They are to prepare a birthday feast, though they don't know for whom. What they do know is that "Gabe" is to extend the first invitation to a young woman named Mary. Though startled by his visit and his message she promises, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

Mary is quick to tell Joseph, who has also been visited by an angel, of her joy. In the meantime the Heavenly Host have learned that Joseph and Mary must travel to Bethlehem, an unanticipated complication in their plans of a great birthday feast in Nazareth (for which the Angel Phanuel has already ordered streamers and party hats).

After a long journey (around the sanctuary) Mary, Joseph, and the donkey reach Bethlehem and discover that the only lodging available is a stable. Soon enough the baby Jesus is born, with a cow and donkey ready to greet him and the angels watching over them all. Mary and Joseph sing a song of praise and thanksgiving.

Gabriel begins to worry that there are no guests at the party. Where can they find guests? Michael suggests that with a mean and crazy king and rich people busy counting their money, Gabriel should go out to the fields and invite the local shepherds to the feast. A host of angels is not what the shepherds were expecting on this night, and at first they are afraid. But the good news and the thought of a feast changed their fear to excitement and they made their way to Bethlehem.

As Michael looks down upon the happy gathering in the stable, he realizes that all of the guests are from Judea. Phanuel suggests inviting the Wise Ones who live in the East. "Plus," he says, "we need a brain power boost."

Gabriel is reluctant to travel so far to invite them. His wings are already tired. He suggests that they just send a star to guide the wise ones to the feast.

Amazingly soon the Wise Ones have followed the star – down the center aisle, up the right aisle, and down the left aisle – and have found the stable.

Raphael suddenly recalls that they were supposed to be providing a birthday FEAST. "There's no food! There's just a baby. Wait. We're not supposed to eat the baby, are we?" "Surely not," replies Gabriel while Phanuel worries that no one is wearing the party hats he ordered and none of the balloons have been blown up. Michael thinks a call to God may help them better understand this strange birthday feast they have been asked to prepare. They learn that they are not the hosts of the feast. The baby is the host. As God has explained it to Michael, "This child, the Son of God, is the host! Jesus calls us to gather around his table to celebrate his birthday – and the re-birthday for all of us."

Liddy, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Phanuel then gather at the communion table and lead the congregation in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

And, as the pageant comes to an end, the cast receives a standing ovation!

Kudos and grateful thanks to Barbara, our world-class pianist, seen here at the "dress" rehearsal.

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  – through you and me!