Ashley Fowler, as Mary, holds her four-month-old son Jack, as Jesus, at the 18th annual Saint Michael the Archangel Church Candlelight Christmas Pageant in Frackville. PHOTOS BY LINDSEY SHUEY
Originally published in the Pottsville Republican-Herald on December 6, 2021.
FRACKVILLE - No room at the inn.
Finding a parking spot along the narrow, hilly streets of Frackville is reminiscent of the journey the Holy Family took over 2,000 Christmases ago. Parking was so scarce Sunday afternoon because of St. Michael the Archangel Church’s 18th annual Candlelight Christmas Pageant, a musical retelling of the birth of Jesus.
The pageant was followed by a reception in the parish hall, which featured Ukrainian specialities like pierogi and halupki, red beet eggs and seasonal baked goods.
“It’s good that the kids get involved and present the story of the birth of the Lord and Savior,” said pastor Petro Zvarych. “Family members get together, especially at this reception, and the parishioners do a good job with the food.”
First came the little shepherds.
Then came the angels, who had to be guided to face the right direction. Their gossamer wings shone in the shepherd’s lamplight. Then came the three wise men, one wearing bright red sneakers.
The Three Wise Men wait for their turn to go on.
A mother in the second row of pews soothed her crying baby. The single dot of red flame from the censer was the Star of Bethlehem, a blip that impregnated the adorned chamber with its holy scent.
The children and worshippers sang Christmas carols in English and Ukrainian. The church was filled with images and icons of the Madonna and Child. Ashley Fowler, who portrayed the Virgin Mary, replicated them as she held her own infant son, Jack. She caressed his smooth, pale cheek. On their iconostasis (icon wall), the gilded, unmoving, elongated saints bore witness.
Jack, Ashley and Mark Fowler as Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
“I enjoy it because my whole family was able to be in it together,” Fowler said.
Although he is not a member of St. Michael’s, her husband Mark joined in and played Joseph. Jack’s twin sister Andi played an angel. In the parish hall, Jack drooled in an oversized red sweater.
Mila Fowler, age 5, clung to her father’s leg and sobbed. The Biblical costumes were hung up until next year.
Mark and Ashley tried to have twins for several years. When they were born, he had the same feeling of joy that Mary and Joseph had when looking upon the Christ child.
“The feast of the Nativity of our Lord, Christmas, is the celebration of our eternal God becoming man,” said John Meridionale, who narrated the pageant. “He became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Over the years, 18-year-old Meridionale has played a shepherd, a wise man, an angel and even Joseph.
“I really like it because it just brings the good Christmas spirit out,” he said, eating pierogi, macaroni and cheese and Oreos in the parish hall. “Helps people realize what Christmas is all about.”
He recited the same lines about Jesus Christ that he has recited year after year.
“He was born in an obscure village… He didn’t go to college. He never visited a big city. He never travelled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness.”
The words call to mind the small towns of Schuylkill County, where greatness lies in humble community get-togethers during the holiday season.
“Lots of people know each other,” Meridionale said. “We all just get together, get along, sing for each other.”
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