Dashing through the show...
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer
Judy Yamada and her two children experienced Christmas yesterday with the window rolled down.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
They were among the first taking the drive along the grounds of University Avenue Baptist Church last night.
In the Nativity re-enactment of University Avenue Baptist Church's "Drive-Thru Christmas Story," Quyen Truong plays Mary, holding 3-month-old Vince Pham in the manger. This is the first year for the drive-through, featuring about 75 congregants from nine churches, but Central Union Church on Beretania Street has been putting on its drive-through Nativity production for years. A third church offers a drive-through Nativity scene on a biennial basis only.
"Mom! Look at the angels!" said her daughter, Jennie, from the back seat as son Jordan hooted his approval.
They were met by caroling angels, a quartet of kings singing in harmony, hula dancers, a live Nativity scene and even a final triptych depicting the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.
Isn't having hula and a crucifixion scene at Christmas a little, um, different?
"Yes, it is," the Rev. Jack Duffer, senior pastor at University Avenue Baptist, said with a laugh. "I like different."
As the final weekend dawns before one of the major holidays of the year for Christians, several groups are bringing the Christmas story to life in a truly contemporary twist, with orange vests, traffic cones and guys waving red flashlights leading the way.
Dickensian, this is not.
But they're not alone. Central Union Church has been putting on a drive-through Nativity for decades on its spacious grounds. Theirs includes not only the live Nativity, but strolling shepherds, caroling angels, Eastern kings and (if they're not being temperamental) sheep and a donkey.
Donna Rewick, coordinator for the event, said she starts tapping people to help in September and solicits volunteers through November via the Spire, the church's weekly newsletter, seeking behind-the-scenes traffic monitors, setup people, dressers and sign carriers as well as the "talent," as they say in Hollywood.
Many costumed players are from the church's youth group, such as Mary and Joseph, some of the Magi and the shepherds tending their flock.
"Say 'flock,' " requests Rewick. "The sheep don't always show up."
Caroling angels and players in the manger scene change shifts halfway through the three-hour event.
A doll will represent the baby Jesus. Rewick cited the showbiz adage: "Never work with babies and animals, because they'll upstage you."
• University Avenue Baptist Church, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Enter from University Avenue. Or catch the trolley or bus at Mid-Pacific Institute. • Central Union Church, 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow. Enter at South Beretania, exit on Punahou.
Though they don't rehearse the tableau, more than 100 congregants participate. Viewers have arrived in an average of 300 cars for the most recent three years.
Drive-through Nativities
"It's very popular," Rewick said. "Once in a while, traffic backs up, but the traffic monitors keep the flow going."
While Central Union's is a tradition, this is the first year for University Avenue Baptist's "Drive-Thru Christmas Story." (Leeward Community Church, which has the most participants for its biennial event, is in its "dark" year.)
Between last-minute directions and a pre-show huddle, Duffer stopped long enough to say this is a multi-church affair: About 75 congregants from nine churches showed up to make this drive-through Christmas debut.
But like the Jack In The Box and McDonald's drive-throughs, no auto, no admittance.
"If you don't have a car, walkers will have free trolley or bus to drive them around," Duffer said. "We don't want somebody run over."
Hans and Silvia Rudert, visiting from Germany, were on the first trolley on the grounds.
So, do they have drive-through Christmases back home?
"Nooo!" said Silvia, giggling. "This is our very first one. They would never have this in Europe."
Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at 525-8035 or mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com
