From message to manger

The blessing of the crèche remains a powerful reminder of the humble origins and true meaning of Christmas for us all, the birth of our Saviour. While this celebration has become a cherished fixture of the Advent season within the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, this year’s observance carried a particularly moving quality, as the stage became a space where innocence, faith and joyful proclamation met.

Held on the third weekend of Advent, the evening invited families to pause amid the busyness of the season and turn their hearts once more to Bethlehem. As the crèche stood waiting to be blessed, the story of salvation unfolded not through grand spectacle, but through the simple and sincere voices of children and youth.

The programme featured performances from Holy Name Convent, St Francis Boys’ College, Sacred Heart Boys’ RC, and the joyful rhythms of Parang presented by Providence Girls’ Catholic School.

All are Catholic schools within Port of Spain, and each choir brought its own unique sound and character to the telling of the Christmas story. Carefully woven into the narrative, their performances moved the audience gently from anticipation to fulfilment, from promise to joy.

Interwoven seamlessly into this musical journey were the young men preparing for priesthood at the Seminary of St John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs. As part of the unfolding script, they lent their voices to ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’, and ‘We Three Kings’, standing shoulder to shoulder with the school choirs.

Their contribution added depth and solemn beauty to the celebration, grounding the evening in prayer and reverence while reflecting the Church’s living tradition and the call to serve Christ with generosity and faith.

Guiding the audience through this sacred journey were two ten-year-olds, Emma-Lee Archibald and Luke Moore, who served as hosts for the evening. With confidence and poise beyond their years, they narrated the story from message to manger, carrying the audience from the Annunciation to the Epiphany.

Their delivery balanced reverence with youthful warmth, and their gentle humour brought smiles and soft laughter, keeping the audience engaged while preserving the sacred tone of the event.

When the Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon was invited to the stage, he did so with evident appreciation for the young hosts. In a moment that drew warm applause, he encouraged the audience to acknowledge them for the wonderful job they had done, affectionately describing them as “so cute”.

He then greeted those gathered, led them in prayer, and blessed  the crèche, reminding all present of the deep joy and hope that entered the world through the birth of Jesus.

Families sat together on the grounds of the Archbishop’s House, some on folded chairs, wheelchairs, baby strollers and others on blankets, sharing in an atmosphere of peace and fellowship. As voices rose in song and the Christmas story was retold, the evening became a shared moment of reflection, drawing hearts back to the simplicity and humility of the first Christmas.

—Nisha Elizabeth Lee-Archibald