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Rehearsing a Christmas pageant

Original Japanese written by Izumi Koshiyama, No Nuke Project

The English below written and arranged by Heeday, based on the original Japanese

The English edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

“Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee” (The Gospel according to Luke 1:28).

This year, once again the kids at St. Paul’s Kindergarten are enjoying a blessed Advent.

^ The Sakura Class (Cherries) (3 years in age or younger): This class is learning the meaning of Christmas and having a good time with friends and the nurses.

^ The Tampopo Class (Dandelions) (Younger kids of regular kindergarten age): They are learning about the birth of Jesus so they can celebrate Christmas with joy.

^ The Momo Class (Peaches) (Medium-aged kids): They are also learning about the birth of Jesus so they too can celebrate Christmas with joy.

^ The Hikari Class (Lights) (Older kids): This class is moved by the birth of Jesus and waiting for His coming with longing.

The Hikari Class is now rehearsing a Christmas pageant. Today, they had their first dress rehearsal.

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The kids helped each other put on costumes, which had hooks on the back.
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They look happy in their costumes.
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She is dressing as one of the three magi.
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Praying together before the church, to start off the rehearsal

This is the sixth Christmas after the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown began. The situation of Fukushima’s children has not turned for the better. Still, all the parents and faculty members of the kindergarten are doing their very best, working together to keep the children safe. While, with the passing of time, more and more people are losing their concerns over Fukushima, many people, both in and out of Japan, are still graciously helping us. We are very thankful for it!

We ask for your continued help, so our children can grow up strong and happy.

(Original Japanese written on December 7th, 2016)