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Mormons celebrate Christmas with spirit

Congregations in Dade City and Lutz are holding holiday events like a peanut butter play and a tour of Bethlehem.

By MICHELLE JONES
Published December 2, 2006


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DADE CITY - Two congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are reaching out to their communities with special treats for Christmas

And although peanut butter is not a typical Christmas confection, the play A Peanut Butter Christmas is one of the treats.

The one-act play, which is 45 minutes long, will be performed at 6:30 tonight by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 9016 Fort King Road in Dade City.

"A family of five runs into difficulties and are stranded in a hotel after their van has been robbed and all their gifts are lost," said Lora Morrison, who handles public relations for the church.

"Since there is no electricity, they have to eat peanut butter sandwiches by candlelight," she said.

Morrison said the situation makes the family think about what Christmas is really about.

A Night in Bethlehem is a gift from the Lutz congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The live nativity and a tour of Bethlehem will be presented every half hour beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8, 9 and 10.

"There will be an entire re-creation (of the city) of Bethlehem and people will go through the city on the way to shepherd's hill where they will witness the unfolding of the night of the Savior's miraculous birth," said Jim Gillen, media relations spokesman.

Jacob, the village storyteller, and his wife, Isabelle, will greet visitors and tell them a story that took place on a night "just like tonight."

A neighbor of the church donated some animals for the live nativity scene. There will be donkeys, sheep and horses.

"We couldn't get a camel," Gillen said.

Emily Packard, a local opera singer who plays the Virgin Mary, will sing to her newborn baby. Afterward, visitors can join in singing with the choir and shepherds as they proclaim the birth of the king.

The children of the church have been making special gifts to present to 3,000 visitors they expect to come to the free presentation during the four nights.

Refreshments will be served, and the youth choir will provide Christmas music after each tour.

People are asked to bring a can of food for a donation and dress in Bethlehem attire, if possible. Call (813) 838-3497 for free tickets.

After the Peanut Butter Christmas production, visitors will be treated to a peanut butter birthday cake as they sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Upbeat music and a different version of Jingle Bells will have everyone joining into the celebration. As people leave, the congregation will pass out Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

"We want people in our community to know we believe in Christmas too," Morrison said.

[Last modified December 1, 2006, 23:23:06]


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Comments on this article
by Pat 12/18/06 09:51 PM
I've recieved a computer to late to witness these festive events. I hope next year We can come.
by Rochelle 12/10/06 11:41 AM
I want to come see both!!! My family would love to see these. Our area has a Nativity exhibit with over 500 displays for the community. We have local school bands/choirs sing. All at our Stake center. We all need to share ideas--this is wonderful
by June 12/10/06 09:11 AM
Oh, and Lutz is just north of Tampa.
by June 12/10/06 09:08 AM
Dade City is approximately 35 mile north, north east of Tampa FL. My son & I went to the live Nativity last night, it was wonderful!
by Melissa Denton 12/10/06 02:23 AM
I sure miss the ol' gang. I wish I could be there to see you and all you are doing. The Mesa Temple does an awsome job with the "Temple Lights" It brings in alot of people. Hope yours does too.
by Beverley 12/07/06 02:31 PM
Wonderful Program! Sounds like we all need addresses to write to to get copy of play and of course an idea of where these cities are located. Who can we write to? Good Example to us all!
by Laurie 12/07/06 01:53 PM
This is so wonderful! I want with all my heart to be there too. I hope I bring my family to see this someday. And perform it in my own community as well someday. Good job Florida saints!
by Lloyd 12/07/06 12:31 AM
Evylyn - Try 1-888-LDS-7700 or visit Mormon.org - lds.org - They provide links giving you the ability to ask questions, or perhaps requesting to speak to a member. Good luck, God bless!
by evelyn 12/06/06 04:55 PM
hi im tring to find email address for lds church or group in utah anyone can help me please would be helpful
by Ann 12/06/06 09:03 AM
I live in Miami, Dade County, Fl. I never heard of Dade City. Where is it located in Florida?
by Kelela 12/05/06 06:30 PM
What a wonderful way to reach out toward the Community with love and service. This ward shares the Spirit of Christmas and missionary work! (awesome). I wish I was there with my big family to see this event! Mele Kalikimaka and our warmest Aloha!!
by mary 12/05/06 03:32 AM
would it be possible to view a video of the programs?I would certainly want to contribute-sounds wonderful.
by Denis 12/03/06 05:54 PM
Aren't these great, these pageants and things. I remember doing one of these in Perth, Australia, soon after I joined the Church. As we had a low flat chapel roof, we ran the pageant from the chapel roof. Unlike America, it is often hot at this time
by Maryam 12/03/06 04:20 AM
Hi. Please, exactly where are Dade City and Lutz?? Never heard of both towns before!! This story is not `100% clear until you tell us where these towns are!! Thank you.
by Wendy 12/02/06 11:35 PM
I wish I lived near by so I could go see these special events. I am proud of the hard work and efforts of the two areas, to let people know about our strong conviction of Jesus Christ. Good Luck and I hope there is good success.
by Marian 12/02/06 09:32 PM
It's wonderful hearing about the many things going on around the church. The Salem Oregon South Stake is putting on their annual community nativity event where many, many people (and now non members alike) share their nativities in the stake center.
by Marti 12/02/06 08:56 PM
What a great missionary tool. Good for those wards!! Merry Christmas
by Ralene 12/02/06 06:58 PM
Wish we lived close to these towns so that we would be able to attend and enjoy the Reason for the Season. Have a great CHRISTMAS Season.
by Lawrence 12/02/06 02:10 PM
A beautiful idea. Wish I was closer. I would love to see this.
by Elizabeth 12/02/06 01:28 PM
Thank you to Michelle Jones, the Times and Meridian for publishing this inspiriing information...a marvelous example of what we can do. :)
by Cami 12/02/06 11:43 AM
Where is Dade City?????
by Glenda 12/02/06 11:04 AM
What a great idea! So touching and beautiful. I wish we were doing it here.
by Jennie 12/02/06 10:59 AM
what a great idea, wish I could be there to take part. May the Christmas spirit be with you each and all.
by Duane 12/02/06 10:34 AM
Great to see stories about the real spirit of Christmas.
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