KEN SAKAMOTO / KSAKAMOTO@STARBULLETIN.COM The story of Jesus' birth was portrayed by the second-graders at Iolani School. Mary was Sydney Tamashiro and Joseph was Rhys Ishihara.

Reason for the season

The story of Christmas is told
many times, many ways in
Christian schools across
Oahu this holiday season

---

By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

It was the week of pageants and carols at Oahu Christian schools with the story of the first Christmas told in the familiar costumed tableau.

More than just a photo shoot of self-conscious Marys and Josephs, fidgeting shepherds and coy angels, teachers and parents hope it's a way to bring the "reason for the season" alive to the children.

Hawaii Baptist Academy wove in a message of international peace and understanding into its extravaganza of music and choreography with a backdrop of multinational flags and flashing lights. "Let There Be Peace on Earth" was the product of major post-Sept. 11 script revamping, said Rebecca Ovitt, principal of the elementary division. The cast of 208 kindergarten-through-third-grade youngsters did holiday songs in costumes representing several countries.

KEN SAKAMOTO / KSAKAMOTO@STARBULLETIN.COM Maryknoll third-graders, along with parents, took part in a Christmas prayer service. It involved taking wrapped gifts to the Jesse Tree, set up in Sacred Heart Church.

The Jesse Tree was the theme of the Maryknoll Elementary School program, with third-graders depicting the generations of biblical figures who awaited Jesus' birth -- Adam and Eve, Abraham, David, Isaiah, John the Baptist. "We reflect on the fact that we are a part of that faith family tree," said religious education director Rose Anne Petro. The children and parents were asked to place an ornament with their own family picture or symbol on the Jesse Tree, too.

Tradition reigned at Iolani School, where the second-graders always star in the costumed story and even the seniors consider it cool to belt out the carols and applaud the readings by little folks who showed not a flicker of stage fright. There is an element of suspense: No one knew which campus adults were chosen to be the Magi until they appeared at the gym door in bejeweled and velvet splendor. Director of facilities Lloyd Stern shared the honor with math teachers GeorgeAnne Derby and Ernette Au.

Many parents among the crowd at Hawaii Baptist Academy Tuesday night said that attending church services is part of the family's Christmas tradition.

KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM "Let There Be Peace on Earth" was the theme of the Christmas program at Hawaii Baptist Academy. Kindergartners through third-graders put on an international-flavored show.

Scott and Amy McCormack said their third-grader Seth and sixth-grader Sarah enjoy the tradition of lighting Advent candles at home, a new one added on each of four Sundays before Christmas. "We read the prophecies around Jesus' birth," said Scott. "The kids love to light the candles and sing a song."

Amy said, "We try to separate the materialism and humbug." This year, the children bought gifts -- a craft kit for an 8-year-old girl and a Power Ranger figure for a 5-year-old boy -- through the Salvation Army's Angel Tree gift project for disadvantaged families.

Valerie Mathews said her first-grader "Kara knows it is a celebration of the birth of Christ. I still let her believe in Santa, but I don't overemphasize it. I tell her God overrrules Santa. She uses her own money for Toys for Tots, and she knows who it's for."

"We try to stay focused on the real meaning," said Elfren Dulay, father of two sons including third-grader Jeremy. "Presents are the physical aspect, but what we try to give them is our good example."

KEN IGE / KIGE@STARBULLETIN.COM "Let There Be Peace on Earth" was the Christmas program at Hawaii Baptist Academy. Kindergarten through third-graders put on an international-flavored show.

Fifth-grader Kaloa Robinson, manning the camera for his brother Micah's impending appearance as Joseph, said "We've got this really cool Nativity scene at home. It's made of logs and it's got, like, little hay."

The manger set isn't just a static decoration, it's put into action by her imaginative son, said his mother, Dawn Robinson. "He moves the camels and wise men around, telling the story of the Wise Men." Both of her boys will appear tomorrow in their Hope Chapel Manoa Christmas program.

"I remember my dad teaching us it's more blessed to give than receive," said John Ishihara as he and wife Val awaited the appearance of son Rhys -- also in the role of Joseph -- at Iolani School's Christmas Chapel Wednesday morning. "That's a tough message to get across when they're this age."

KEN SAKAMOTO / KSAKAMOTO@STARBULLETIN.COM Right, Maryknoll third-graders along with parents took part in a Christmas prayer service. It involved taking wrapped gifts to the Jesse Tree, set up in Sacred Heart Church.

Val Ishihara was proud of Rhys for coming up with that very punch line to a story about a magical Christmas tree that she made up after the second-grader was involved in picking the family tree.

Duane and Martha Hamada said it is their Christmas Eve tradition to go to church services and to take their three children to the Salvation Army's living Nativity scene at 2950 Manoa Rd.

"We're trying to make it a tradition to give to Shriners Hospital," Duane Hamada said.

Bob and Annie Matsuwaka said a Christmas Eve service is part of their tradition, and so was an earlier stop with their two sons at the Angel Tree project at Kahala Mall. "They pick out someone their own age and spend their own money," said Annie Matsuwaka.

"It's really important to instill that Christmas is about giving," said Bob Matsuwaka. "Christmas is so commercial, so we have to keep at it."

Click for online
calendars and events.