By Sarah Normand and Staff

Jan. 4, 2017:  Just as villagers have done for over a century, many members of the Bronxville community gathered at the corner of Pondfield Road and Midland Avenue on Christmas Eve to see the annual Bronxville Christmas pageant, first performed 102 years ago in 1914, a reenactment of the nativity scene on the hillside of The Reformed Church of Bronxville.

The pageant featured readings by local clergy from seven Bronxville churches and carols led by Bronxville native Dale Walker accompanied by a brass quartet. Tower bells played, and an "invisible choir" of angels sang from the church rooftop. This year's angels were Sabina Richter, Emily Spitz, Grace Stephens, Emily Conway, Lauren Mitchell, Grace Randall, Eva Cagliostro, Lucy Rizzo, Caroline Spitz, Lily Vorbach, and Charlotte Cagliostro.  

Villagers of all ages were delighted to see Mary (played by Sara Conway) ride on a live donkey to the manger surrounded by live sheep and accompanied by Joseph and the Manger Angel (played by fourth-grader Finley Hood). 

There were shepherds, wise men, and even a majestic camel! After the last bars were sung of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," children were invited to run up the hill to meet the Holy Family and pet the animals.

Pictured here:  The nativity scene on the front lawn of The Reformed Church of Bronxville on Christmas Eve, 2016.  

Photos by N. Bower

By Daisy Newmark, Member, Board of Directors, The Reformed Church Nursery School

Jan. 4, 2017:  Throughout the holiday season, The Reformed Church Nursery School (RCNS) has been focused on teaching its students to give back to others and their community. By creating opportunities for the children to participate in charitable services and donation drives, RCNS hopes its students will learn kindness and compassion for all those around them.

In November, Meghan Allen, a board and church member, organized and led a Thanksgiving food basket drive for the Family Services of Westchester. The children took part in this project by shopping with their parents and bringing food items to the school's chapel service. Between money raised and food donated, RCNS was able to provide 73 families with a festive meal for the holiday. Helping to select the food items and prepare the boxes for each family allowed the children to be aware that there are many families less fortunate than their families are.

In the weeks leading up to the Christmas break, RCNS organized other donation drives in which the nursery school children brought in gifts wrapped in white paper as well as pairs of mittens for less fortunate children to receive for Christmas. The donation table and the mitten garland basket, located by the entrance of the school, are constant reminders to all to give back to those in need during the holiday season. The beautiful white gifts, distributed by the Mission Council of The Reformed Church, will go to various local organizations for children in need. The warm mittens will be donated to nearby organizations in need.

In the midst of the busy holiday season and social commitments, the RCNS community hopes that even the youngest of school children are able to experience the importance of giving.

Photo by A. Warner