Christmas Comes to Baptiste
by Daryl Bradbury Hobbs, HIM missionary
IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE in the mountain village of Baptiste, Haiti. Excitement filled the air as preparations were being made for t he very first outdoor musical and drama of the Christmas story ever in this village. The sound of pounding echoed around the town square as a wooden stable was built on a small rise in front of the public school. Missionary Frank Vaughn directed the building projects - first a stable - covered with palm fronds, then, a wooden manger filled with fresh grass and weeds. A curtain was placed in front of the stable, hiding the manger inside.
As dusk began to fall, the participants began arriving - over 100 young people, from various churches in the village. These young people had been practicing for over three months, learning a dozen Christmas carols and several Scripture passages by heart. Those in the choir brought their costumes - white sheets, to be draped around them and pinned securely. When the "robes" were secure, they were crowned with gold (garland) haloes. The drama actors quickly arrayed themselves in their costumes.
When it was fully dark, someone checked outside and came back with the announcement that there were LOTS of people out there in the town square (over 600) who had come to watch the program! With mounting excitement, the angel choir members made their way outside to take their positions on the hillside beside the school. Directed by missionary Daryl Bradbury, they began softly singing the opening song, telling the wonderful story of Jesus!
Through Scripture and song, the beautiful Christmas story unfolded. Missionary Marilyn Vaughn kept the actors moving at the right times. It was very moving when a pregnant "Mary" appeared on the long trip to Bethlehem, riding a live donkey. "Joseph" walked beside her, carrying a small tin-can kerosene lamp. They arrived at the the lamp glowing from within.
Soon, the angel choir announced the good news of the Baby's birth to the shepherds, and three shepherds appeared from behind the school, those in the lead carrying baby goats in their arms, and the last leading the mother goat behind. The crowd of onlookers surged forward with excitement at the sight! As the shepherds came to the stable, the curtain was drawn back, revealing Mary and Joseph, now with a baby in the manger. The shepherds knelt before Him in worship.
The carols and Scripture continued recounting the story as three Wise Men, bearing gifts for the newborn King, appeared following the bright star which was shining over the stable. Upon their arrival, they, too, knelt in worship.
At that point, the angel choir exploded into joyous song: "Joy to the World, the Lord is come!" while twinkling lights illuminated the worshipful scene at the stable. The audience clapped and cheered in joyful celebration… Christmas had come to Baptiste!
As we headed home that night, tired and happy, our hearts were rejoicing. What a delight to have shared the beloved Christmas story with so many people in our village - many of whom had never heard it before! It was a Christmas Eve we would never forget!
