Spirit of Christmas shown in play

Like four students in the play, the audience will be transported back to the time of Jesus Christ's birth.

Since November, students of Green River Bible Baptist Christian Academy have practiced their lines and songs to get ready for Thursday's performance, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the Green River Bible Baptist Church at 800 Homestead Drive.

This year, the group will perform the play "Klinkenschnell, The Christmas Bell." Those in attendance will experience the very first Christmas as four actors playing Josh, PC, Kristen and Stacy, are transported by Klinkenschnell into the past to see the birth of Jesus Christ unfold.

Pastor Ted York said all of the main parts are performed by the high-school aged students, while the elementary-school aged students perform many songs with the high school students.

This year, however Klinkenschnell required the small school to use elementary school students for speaking parts, which seemed to be going well.

"They've been working hard at it," he said. "They are doing a good job for being so young."

Those who want to see what the true meaning of Christmas is all about in a unique way will not want to miss the performance.

Since the school is so small, they need to pick from a variety of plays they have on stock, which are designed for a smaller group.

Ted said they try to pick a new play every year so the children are not performing the same one every year.

"We do rotate them. We probably did this one seven years ago," he said.

Some of the musical songs performed include "Angels we Have Heard on High," "Away in a Manger" "Ring Out the News," "Hear the Bells," and "I Hate Mistletoe."

At Monday's rehearsal, things were coming together as the students were becoming more and more familiar with their lines and songs. They were relaxed enough to laugh at the funny parts of the play.

"It's a fun play, but it certainly sends the true meaning of Christmas," York said.

Toward the end of the play hour-long play, the four transported to the past discover that God's own son was born in a manger. They also discover that Jesus is the savior. When they return to their time, all they want to do is share the good news, which is what York hopes this play is doing.