Children from Church of Saint Timothy Deliver Christmas Messages

On Dec. 25, approximately 2.1 billion Christians around the world celebrated Christmas, the day of Jesus Christ’s birth. 

For Christians, Christmas is a time of love. It is a time to remember and celebrate Jesus' birth. And in the days leading up to Christmas, the Church of Saint Timothy’s in West Hartford prepared for Christ’s arrival.  In addition to participating in the traditional customs of the Roman Catholic Church, such as the family and friends gathering around and lighting the Advent Wreath, the littlest parishioners at St. Tim’s were spreading the true meaning of this holiday to the community.

Earlier this month, many of the children from the religious education classes visited with the elderly at Saint Mary’s Home, singing and presenting drawings they had made for them.

“It was a wonderful evening,” said Stephanie Barnes, Director of Religious Education at Saint Timothy’s. “The children filled the room with joy and happiness, as many of the residents smiled and sang along.”

This past weekend, performing to a full house, 76 children, ranging from 4 to 12 years old, performed the Christmas pageant. Under the direction of parishioner and mom to four, Tara Deveney, the Nativity told the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Complete with angels, shepherds, Wise Men, and the Holy Family, the altar was transformed that afternoon into the town of Bethlehem.

With a life-size manger constructed by Deveney’s husband Terry, the children’s choir sang traditional Christmas songs, including “Silent Night” and “Hark the Heralds Angels Sing.”  As the Three Wise Men followed the East Star to where the baby Jesus lay in the manger, and angels lined up one by one holding candles and singing, the spirit of Christmas and all that it signifies – peace, love and joy – was truly felt by all.