Twelfth Night Celebration Returning

To Newtown Congregational Church

The arrival of the “Three Kings,” or “The Three Wise Men from the East,” is celebrated in many different and colorful ways throughout Christianity. Parades, masks, feasts, singing, dancing, going door-to-door, dressing up as kings and giving gifts are just some of the ways this day is celebrated in memory of the arrival in Bethlehem of the Wise Men from the East following a star.

The guiding Star of Bethlehem will arrive a couple of days early (everything is faster in this, our  21st Century) at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street in Newtown, on Friday, January 2.

Under the leadership of NCC Choir Director Dan Coffman the church choir, together with the Reverend Matt Crebbin and Mrs Martha Crebbin and other selected soloists, will re-create last year’s tremendously successful pageant, the second annual Twelfth Night celebration. Also appearing for the second time will be Wendy Kerner Lucas, the well known professional harpist, to supply the angelic sounds on her harp.

This renaissance themed celebration includes music, dance and dramatic readings, and the ceremonial carrying in of the boar’s head. About halfway through the performance, a king and a queen, chosen at random from the attending crowd, will be crowned and will sit on stage to preside over the remainder of the pageant.

A feast of savories, meat pies, peasant bread and home made jams, different kinds of fruit, plum pudding cake, wassail and hot cider follows the performance. Admission is free of charge and especially suited for families with children.

Doors will open at 7 pm and the one-hour performance starts at 7:30.

All are invited. Reservations are not necessary but early arrival is recommended. Renaissance garb would make the whole evening even more festive, so dress up, if you feel like it.

For additional information contact Newtown Congregational Church at 426-9024 or Ellen Parrella, 426-6470.