During Christmas in Shepherdstown festivities, Trinity Episcopal Church of Shepherdstown displayed a live Nativity scene. The display featured players dressed up as Mary and Joseph, the three wise men and younger actors dressed as angels and shepherds. (photo courtesy of George Alwin)

The Christmas season officially kicked off in Shepherdstown after Thanksgiving, as community members were treated to a taste of the true meaning of Christmas.

During Christmas in Shepherdstown festivities, Trinity Episcopal Church of Shepherdstown displayed a live Nativity scene. The display featured players dressed up as Mary and Joseph, the three wise men and younger actors dressed as angels and shepherds.

“As our annual gift to Shepherdstown, we are pleased to present the true meaning of Christmas in the story of the birth of Jesus. We at Trinity Episcopal Church share these performances to keep Christ in Christmas. Merry Christmas,” said George Alwin, who was in charge of the live Nativity this year.

Alwin said that there were multiple performances this year, with many people taking on the roles of the iconic Christmas figures. The first performance was part of the Christmas parade at 11 a.m on Saturday. The Christmas in Shepherdstown website listed the event as one of the “must-see” features for the weekend.

Alwin also played the role of a shepherd in the performance. Alwin said that he can tell that the performance is greatly appreciated by the community.

“The most rewarding part of this is to look on the other side of the fence and see these little faces with these wide eyes taking in the story of Jesus with awe,” Alwin said.

The performance included custom-made period costumes and even a live donkey, which is owned by Trinity’s preacher. After the performance, which is entirely silent, the performers sang Christmas carols to attract even more viewers.

Trinity Church member Mark Dorosh has participated in the live Nativity since it began five years ago. Dorosh, who has played a wise man every year, agreed that the Nativity scene brings people back to the true meaning of Christmas.

“It is a very spiritual role for me It gives me a sense of reverence and has changed the meaning of Christmas for me,” Dorosh said.

The live Nativity has also become a family affair for Dorosh whose daughter has played an angel since the event first started, though this year she had left for college. Dorosh, said the church tries to get as many young people involved as possible to play angels and shepherds.

While church members were out on German Street spreading the meaning of Christmas, others were inside the fellowship hall offering up cheer in the form of coffee and hot chocolate. The church also hosted a cookie walk and a Christmas bazaar while the Nativity continued on outside. Browsers were given bags of homemade cookies to take with them as they walked around the bazaar looking for potential Christmas gifts.

The live Nativity and other festivities at Trinity were part of the official kick off of Christmas in Shepherdstown and the Shepherdstown 250th anniversary celebration.

Christmas in Shepherdstown activities will continue on this weekend with the Shepherdstown School of Dance doing its annual performance of “The Nutcracker” ballet at the Frank Center for the Arts on Shepherd University’s campus on Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11.

Other Christmas festivities will include the continuation of the Shepherdstown Community Club’s Christmas Bazaar, which will run all through next weekend. Shops in town will also be serving “sips and sweets” for those doing their Christmas shopping. Finally on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, “Tuba Christmas” is coming to Shepherdstown.

To see a full schedule of events, go to www.christmasinshepherdstown.com.