By Ansley SkipperThe oldest and most beloved tradition at St. Mary’s delivered the spirit of Christmas.  Upper Schoolers Tiffany Yoo (’21) and Kaitlyn Jang (’19) accompany the choirs for "Away in a Manger."  The longest standing St. Mary’s tradition features second- and third-grade choristers, Upper School musicians and chamber singers, senior tableau actresses and St. Mary’s own “archangel” Mrs. Miller. The Christmas Pageant remains unchanged through a century of nearly constant change. Whether the risers and tableau stage, flickering chandeliers or palpable trepidation during the lyric about an infamous donkey during “Jesus Child,” spectators can always observe the same quirky but endearing moments during each year’s pageant. The songs of the pageant are deeply ingrained in the mind of each girl who participated in the pageant – and even some who did not and have observed during chapel for many years. The faint whispers of the SMS girls’ singing in the audience can often even be heard during the pageant – we simply can’t resist. The only element of the pageant subject to change and anxiously awaited each year is the number and variety of languages in which Silent Night will be sung. This year’s show featured a solid four: German, Mandarin, Spanish and English. The Christmas Pageant offers Upper Schoolers and alumnae alike a chance to relive their Lower School days and will never fail to put a smile on each audience member’s face and Christmas joy in her heart. In our fast paced world of assignments, social media and constant change, the Christmas Pageant is like returning to your grandmother’s house to find everything exactly the same, comforting and familiar, a mug of hot mulled cider on a bleak midwinter day.  Upper School Chamber Ensemble singers accompany the lower school choirs during How Far is it to Bethlehem.  Mia Wilson, Mackenzie Fittes, Madison Motley, Pooja Talati and Abby Utley portray the visit of the Magi to the stable.  Sophia Meibohm as Mary during the Pageant’s climax, The Beautiful Mother.  Mrs. Nancy Miller, our own “archangel,” devotedly leaders her second- and third-graders (pictured.)  Bizzy Walker and Emily O’Toole portray the annunciation during Emmanuel.  Senior shepherds guard their flock during this tableau scene.   Seniors bring to life the Christmas story during the tableau.
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