As the previous year, our Church the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia District of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints staged, Journey to Bethlehem - A Christmas Pageant to Celebrate The Birth of Jesus Christ.
"Luke 2: 10-11 For unto us this day is born in the city of David, Christ the Lord." The pageant depicting events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. Non-Muslims were invited to this non-denominational presentation.
This year Alvin and Issac participated and act as Wise Men in the pageant. Both of them together with Steve have practice their scripts after Church every Sunday. They were very confident as they had attended the rehearsal on the previous two Saturdays at KL Chapel.
We arrived early today as both of them need to be there to wear on their costumes and rehearsal again. There are 2 sessions, one is 3.00pm and another one is about 5.00pm. Annabelle and I were just seated together at the Chapel and waited for the presentation to be started at 3.00pm. as Alvin and Issac slots were at 3.00pm.
The presentation began with several musical numbers. Then the audiences were divided into smaller groups of about 20. Guides accompanied the groups to different rooms focusing on different events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.
The first room portrayed a scholar explaining that the children of Israel had waited and looked forward for thousands of years for the Savior to come.
As the Book of Mormon says, “all those who have hearkened unto [the words of the prophets], and . . . have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, . . . are . . . heirs of the kingdom of God.” (Mosiah 15:11)
Then, the group transitioned to the angel’s room. The angels explain that they were commissioned by God to visit the earth and announce the glad tidings of the birth of Christ.
After the presentation, we were given a candle signify the Savior is born and the Light is the Savior.
Next, the group moved to a room with shepherds keeping watch over their sheep at night.
They described a visitation by an angel and bore testimony of the infant Savior that they went to see. The visitors were given sticks of candy after that.
At the subsequent stop, we came to the wise men room whereby Alvin and Issac were. They described the new star and their visit to Herod seeking the Christ. We were given chocolate wrapped with golden wrappers as it is the gold coins.
After departing them, we come to Herod’s court, where we see an arrogant, worldly ruler who threatens to kill the Child.
The brethren whom acted as the King Herold was indeed talented! We can feel the wickedness in his voice and tone as we were in the room.
Finally, we go to the humble stable where the Infant lies asleep in the hay watched over by Mary and Joseph.
The visitors, old and young, reverently pause and reflect on the simple grandeur of the holy Child.
Lastly, we were toured to the room whereby we can see many and different sets of Nativity sets from around the world. It is so beautiful.
The sets were authentic. The sheep, donkey, and camel were realistic. The costumes were exquisite.
The committee really put into a lot of efforts to organize such beautiful scenes for us reminiscent of that event.
There was a marketplace at the conclusion wherein visitors received different breads, figs, dates and nuts reminiscent of that time. This contributed to feelings surrounding the event.
Our family went in to see the pageant for the second time, this time together with Alvin and Issac. All of us were impressed by the acting of other brothers and sisters on the 2nd shift as well.
After the event, we went back earlier around 6.00pm and Alvin need to go back to his job site, then only come back home and have dinner with us.
It is a beautiful experience for all of us, especially for Issac. He has this opportunity to act and serve at this young age and gained experience. I am very happy and grateful for the opportunities that both father and son has to serve in the Church.
As we remember the great miracle of Jesus Christ coming from His heavenly home to dwell on earth, we recognize the astounding yet humble nature of his birth. He was the symbol of hope and goodness for many.
