Many of us retain fond memories of the church concerts and pageants of our youth. Each year, my brother and I were given either a recitation, a song, or role to perform. Sometimes were we not too happy to be involved, but our parents always insisted that we participate and do our best. The evening of the concert, we were transformed into angels (not exactly type-casting), shepherds (perhaps more suitable) or Wisemen (out of the question). When the concert was over, we basked in the praise of the adults and decided that perhaps Christmas concerts were not so bad after all. The gifts under the tree in the church hall, and the oranges and candies we received, finally convinced us that Christmas concerts were indeed worthwhile.
This year I attended the Christmas pageant performed at Metropolitan United at 56 Queen Street East. It included many adults as well as children to tell the Christmas story. The music, readings, and colourful costumes were magnificent. The pageant rekindled many memories of my youth and added greatly to my celebration of the Christmas season.
Metropolitan United Church at 56 Queen Street East, Toronto, prepared for the Christmas scene
The church is decorated and the stage awaits the arrival of the children and adults who will reveal the Christmas story of old.
The story begins to unfold
Children perform their roles and sing in the pageant
Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus
The angel announces the birth and Mary prays
The haughty King Herod
Children enter the scene as shepherds and lambs
More shepherds and lambs
“We three Kings of Orient Are . . . “
Angels, shepherds, and sheep
The story unfolds and ends with a feeling that all is right with the world – a sentiment that in our troubled times in well worth remembering.
I believe that this young lad told his mother that the pageant was great. Perhaps next year he too will have a role to play.
To view posts about Christmas in Toronto throughout the years.
Downtown Toronto’s lights and Christmas displays – 2012
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/17/downtown-torontos-xmas-displays-at-night/
The Christmas windows at the Bay Store are magical at night
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/16/the-bay-xmas-windows-on-queen-become-magical-at-night/
Christmas at the historic St. Lawrence Market in 1921 and in 2012
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/14/xmas-at-the-historic-st-lawrence-market-in-1921-and-in-2012/
The Christmas windows at the Bay Store on Queen Street, 2012
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/12/the-2012-christmas-windows-at-the-bay-store-on-queen-street/
The amazing gingerbread houses on the underground Pathway in Toronto
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/12/amazing-christmas-gingerbread-houses-on-torontos-pathway/
The gigantic metallic reindeer in the Eaton Centre
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/13/the-gigantic-xmas-reindeer-in-the-eaton-centre/
Christmas cards mailed in Toronto during the years 1924-1926
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/12/11/xmas-cards-mailed-in-toronto-1924-1927/
The Christmas buffet lunch at the Arcadian Court at the Simpson’s Queen Street Store in Toronto (the Bay)
Christmas at Mackenzie House on Bond Street.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/12/07/torontos-mackenzie-house-on-bond-street-at-christmas/
Christmas at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/12/09/christmas-at-the-st-lawrence-market-in-torontos-yesteryear/
The Christmas Market at the Distillery District
Memories of the Christmas windows of the Simpson’s store on Queen Street
Christmas at the Kensington Market
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/12/01/enjoying-the-kensington-market-at-christmas/
Memories of Toyland on the fifth floor of the old Eaton’s Store at Queen and Yonge Street
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/11/29/memories-of-eatons-toyland-in-the-1940s/
The Christmas lights on Yonge Street in the 1950s
The history of Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade
https://tayloronhistory.com/2011/11/15/history-of-torontos-santa-claus-parade/
The 1940s Christmas radio broadcasts featuring Santa Claus
Christmas at Toronto’s historic St. Andrew’s Market
Christmas trees and seasonal decorations in Toronto
Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas in old Newfoundland
Link to the Home Page for this blog: https://tayloronhistory.com/