Celebrate the Reason for the Season

The Owasso Baptist Homes for Children presents the annual drive-through Christmas Pageant telling the story of Jesus Christ December 9-11.

Every year in early December, the residents and staff at the Owasso campus of the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children present their gift to the Owasso community by presenting a drive-through Christmas Pageant on the grounds of the Owasso campus.

Administrator Scott Pallett says the work begins at the first of November, assembling the backgrounds for each scene, installing hundreds of lights, preparing costumes and props, and organizing the actors and ­volunteers who make the event happen. “It’s a way for us to thank the community that gives us so much support throughout the year. We want to share the true meaning of Christmas through telling the story of Jesus Christ.”

This year’s event will include eight scenes with over 50 ­residents, staff and volunteers in costumes of the period depicted. This year is even more exciting because there will be new scenery, backgrounds and ­costumes for some of the scenes.

The campus is located at 129th East Avenue and 76th Street North, and as you enter from the east side, you’ll be ­given an audio device that provides the narration for each scene and prompts you when it’s time to move forward. This year, the ­narration will be done ­entirely by the children who are residents at OBHC, making it even more special.

As you drive the circle, you’ll see scenes depicting the birth of Jesus Christ, his childhood being raised in the carpentry shop, the miracle of walking on water, His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the garden of Gethsemane, the crucifixion of Christ, the empty tomb, and finally the resurrection.

Scott explained that each scene has two teams of actors that remain at the scene for 30 minutes at a time, representing the characters in the scene. When their turn is up, they are able to go inside to get warm and take a break while the second set of actors takes over. The refreshment centers include hot ­chocolate, cookies and all kinds of goodies provided by community volunteers. “It’s a party atmosphere for the kids – they warm up and then go and do their next shift of 30 minutes.”

Donna Brooks, regional development coordinator for OBHC, says her favorite part of the pageant is seeing the kids, staff and community come together to make it happen. All the kids at the Owasso campus participate, and there are some veterans who come back to help even after they’ve graduated and left OBHC. Donna shared that there are some families and church groups who help every year and consider it the real start to their Christmas season. Visiting the Christmas Pageant has become a treasured tradition for many families as well. Scott added that they have church groups who come from as far away as Bartlesville and Muskogee each year. “Our hope is that more families and groups make this a part of their Christmas tradition and celebrate the true reason for the season.”

This year’s Christmas Pageant will be held December 9, 10 and 11 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night, so mark your calendar and plan to attend this special event.

 

For more information, contact

Oklahoma Baptist Homes
for Children Owasso Campus

12700 E. 76th St. N.
Owasso, OK 74055

(918) 272-2233

www.obhc.org