Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Marking 99 years performing the same nativity play, the Pine Mountain Settlement School will host this year’s free event on Dec. 9 with the first performance at 3 p.m., with doors opening at 2:30 p.m., and the second performance beginning at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

With a cast of 17, some of the people playing these parts are grand and great-grandchildren of original cast members.

“This is the oldest tradition we have here at the school,” said Community Coordinator Judy Lewis. “The play is a compilation of Bible scriptures, hymns and carols, dialogue, partly original and partly inspired by the Second Shepherd’s Play from Towneley. The play was first performed in 1913 when the school was first founded. The moving simplicity of the play inspires not only the characters who perform, but everyone who views it.”

Lewis said the play brings out “a good spirit” in everyone involved. She said live trees are used to decorate to keep the play original and as close to nature as possible.

“The Laurel House will be decorated with fresh holly and pine, plus a real fire in the fireplace and old kerosene lamps will be lit on all the tables,” said Lewis. “We want to continue the simplicity and originality not only in the play, but at the reception. We’ll be serving home baked cookies and tea shortly after each performance of the play.”

Lewis said the play involves hours and hours of practice and lots of work to get it exactly the same each year.

“It’s not just one person, but a whole group of people who put this together each year,” said Lewis. “That’s what makes it so special as everyone celebrates a Pine Mountain tradition.”

This year for the first time, the play will be videotaped and available on CD for the public to purchase. The cost will be $10 each. Requests may be made sometime after the play to the school’s office at (606) 558-3571 or after March 1, you may call Lewis at (606) 558-3586.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com