A hush came over the room where the Orcutt Hills Ward in California was gathered for their Christmas party. Even young children stopped running around to watch as youth took to the stage.
A white curtain had been set up, illuminated from behind by a single light. Beautiful music filled the room and for the next four minutes, the youth acted out Christ’s life using silhouettes behind the curtain.
And it is a performance you truly don’t want to miss.
Brenda Predazzi was a member of the ward in attendance at the party.
“The shadow effect really gave everybody a moment to really connect with the story, and then fill in the blanks ourselves with our relationship that we have with the Savior and with His story and everything He did for us,” she says. “We were all in awe. A quiet came over the whole gym. Everybody was glued to it.”
Taylor Tringham, the ward’s activity committee chair, had organized the nativity performance. She felt inspired to create a “shadow nativity” after seeing videos online of other shadow nativity performances. For weeks leading up to the event, she met with the youth after their weeknight activities to rehearse.
“I wanted the youth to be involved. I thought it would be special for them to be the characters, to feel the spirit of what those people felt on that first Christmas,” Taylor says. “The silhouette nativity was a great, simple way to do it with minimal rehearsal, acting ability, directing, production, etc. It allowed us to keep the focus on the Savior. I think the youth felt the Spirit and that was the biggest win for me.”
Tears were shed as ward members and friends watched. Many commented afterward that the simple display helped them feel closer to Christ.
“I loved the inclusion of the lifespan of the Savior, from His humble birth to boyhood and then to His Crucifixion,” Taylor says. “Although the span of that scene was so quick and concise, it really was powerful to me and represents everything we celebrate this Christmas season—that we have a loving Savior who was willing to sacrifice His life for all of us.”
The song in the video is Hallelujah Christmas by Rosevelt.
▶ You may also like: Linger near the manger with this Nativity-inspired devotional
