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NANTICOKE — Admittedly, Jim Botsko once had second thoughts of portraying Jesus in the annual showing of “Miracle of Bethlehem” at the Cultural Centre of St. Faustina.
“But that was six years ago,” Botsko said with a chuckle Friday, before the first of three scheduled weekend performances.
Botsko believed back then he was too old to portray Jesus. “But Father Nash told me Jesus was ageless,” Botsko recalled. “It was meant to be.”
So Botsko, of Hanover Township, offered to stand in until they found a younger man. That never happened.
“I still get goosebumps, even at practice,” Botsko said, adding it was “an honor and privilege” to portray the man whom Christians consider the son of God.
Program director Judy Minsavage said the cast, with 62 people this year, started practicing in July. Participants range from children as young as 7 to adults of 70. The “Miracle of Bethlehem” spotlights the birth of Jesus, but also touches upon the story of his life, death and resurrection.
“They spend hundreds of countless hours practicing,” said Minsavage, an employee of Times Leader Media Group.
The show – held at the center, 38 W. Church St. – runs for 45 minutes. It features well-known holiday tunes, such as “Mary, Did You Know?” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” but also Minsavage-written pieces.
Friday’s showing attracted a standing-room-only audience, and Minsavage said the performance will bring in an estimated 800 people during the weekend as area residents kick off their holiday season.
“It helps you get into the spirit of Christmas,” cast member Charlie Marcella said.
Marcella, of Sheatown, has returned each year, portraying one of the three kings. It’s also a family affair for Marcella, as his wife, Mary Ann, is part of the sewing committee. “We enjoy it,” Charlie Marcella said.
After the show, 11-year-old Brooke Bau and her brother, Garrett, both of Shickshinny, said they enjoyed the show. Before coming to see the play, they were decorating their tree.
Garrett, 8, said the performance was “really good,” and he enjoyed the lights illuminating Jesus at the show’s conclusion.
The show also features live animals from Endless Dreams Animals, in Benton. The menagerie includes two goats, sheep, a duck, two chickens and an alpaca, as well as Mistletoe, a donkey. Mistletoe is a third-generation donkey for the show, said Jess Exley, of Endless Dreams.
“Anything we do, we put our heart and soul into,” Exley said of the animals. “But this (“Miracle of Bethlehem” program) is our favorite one.”