Christ for People’s Nativity Pageant

The Nativity story, celebrating the birth of Jesus, is one that is played out in hundreds of thousands of churches around the world each Christmas. For over 30 years, the Christ for People ministry, which serves dozens of people from Hammer & NER, has also joined in the tradition, sharing a memorable and magical experience for all involved. In fact, the annual Nativity Pageant has become one of the hallmarks of the Christ for People ministry.

Sarah and Ricky portrayed Mary and Joseph 

Dozens of individuals served by Christ for People look forward to being in the Pageant and re-enacting the Christmas story. Many will portray angels, shepherds, or one of the wisemen. There’s always stiff competition for the roles of Mary and Joseph. Others will joyfully sing in the choir. In the end, everyone looks forward to being a part of this special evening. It’s deeply meaningful to everyone.

This year’s Pageant was held December 10 at Westgate Church in Plymouth, where Christ for People holds its Tuesday night services. Nearly 50 individuals participated in the Nativity Pageant, most of whom are from Hammer & NER. There are also 20 volunteers who help with everything from decorating, helping people get into their costumes, cuing them when it’s their turn to go on stage, and then serving refreshments afterward.

Pastor Don Anderson (who worked as a DSP at Hammer Residences in the 1970s) founded and led the Christ for People with Disabilities ministry for 45 years. His Tuesday-night services and ministry were designed especially for adults with developmental disabilities who attended from across the Twin Cities, including many people supported at Hammer & NER. Last year, as Pastor Don prepared for retirement, Emily Robillard, the Lead DSP at our Gardner home, who had been attending services with the women of Gardner for years, felt called to help ensure the ministry continued. With the support of her home church, Emily is now leading this ministry.

All dressed up and ready to go

“Last year, Pastor Don said that this Pageant is a way for the individuals to bless those that come to watch, and I truly saw that this year,” Emily says. “They are all so proud of their roles in the show and it really touches the hearts of those who attend.” Pastor Don wrote the script 20 years ago, which has essentially remained the same every year, so all participants know what to expect. “In fact, some were reminding me of things I was missing!” Emily says. “We made a last-minute change to have the choir on stage and the individuals were SO happy to be up there singing in front of everyone.”

The choir took to the stage this year!

Individuals served by the Christ for People ministry along with their family members have shared with Emily just how grateful they are that the Pageant continued this year, after Pastor Don retired. “Some people have been coming for years, and it’s become part of their whole family’s Christmas traditions to attend,” Emily says. “Everyone is already looking forward to next Christmas and sharing lots of ideas with me. I am so honored to continue this ministry with the help of the volunteers that show up every Tuesday ready to serve.

“Watching those 50-plus people on stage that night was such a great reminder to me of the impact that happens when we put our faith in Jesus and listen to His calling for us. It was exactly one year prior that I was just volunteering in the back, handing out the Christmas programs, and God prompted me to take the lead in the ministry. To be sitting up front a year later seeing all the smiles on stage and all the family and friends in the seats made my heart so full.”