The Marion Natural History Museum after-school group enjoyed snacks and craft making during our annual holiday party. Our next set of after-school activities are on the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org.  Happy Holidays from the Marion Natural History Museum and see you in 2014!    Marion Natural History Museum holiday party Photo courtesy of Vin Malkoski

When Christmas comes to Mattapoisett, it means that it is time for the annual Christmas carol sing-along at Tinkhamton Chapel, a tradition kept alive for over 100 years.

The candlelight shining out from inside the little chapel seemed to shine a bit brighter this year as it fell on this winter solstice night, the longest and darkest night of the year.

The singing from within was louder than recent years past, with almost a hundred souls filling the tiny chapel, cozying up shoulder to shoulder on the long pews, and others spilling out through the doors into the outside air of this unseasonably warm first night of winter.

It was toastier than usual inside the little chapel. The balmy, winter air let the old-fashioned potbelly rest this year, and the front door remained wide open to welcome the fresh air.

The spirit of Christmas was apparent as you looked around the room at the smiling faces of grown-ups embracing their children, and neighbors and family members greeting and offering to share their red-covered song books with each other as they opened the evening singing “Joy to the World.”

The children gathered at the front of the church and sat together on the platform, ringing jingle bells and holding signs, brand new ones this year, of the Twelve Days of Christmas as the crowd sang in unison, watching with delight as the children led the way.

Carolers sang “Good King Wenceslas” while the flames from the kerosene lamps cast soft, flickering shadows that gave life to the aged walls that have witnessed this familiar scene for over a hundred Christmases.

It does not get any more Christmassy than that.

Playing the organ again for another year, Gail Roberts welcomed the small ensemble of musicians who accompanied her this year.

“We have a band here because there are so many missing keys on the organ,” Roberts said as she laughed.

Louise Anthony played her violin, Jack Deane plucked his banjo, and Jim Bean strummed his guitar while Samantha Winter introduced each song and turned the pages for the musicians.

Although many commented on the temperature of the room and the heat generated by all the people who packed the chapel, most agreed that it was a perfect evening. Those who might have passed by and peeked in through the foggy windows of the chapel would have found inside the simple joy of a community gathering to celebrate together in the spirit of Christmas.

By Jean Perry

Photos by Jean Perry  & Marilou Newell

She didn’t know it when she first arrived, but Lindsey Atterton was destined to play the Virgin Mary during the North Rochester Congregational Church Christmas service on December 22.

Everything was in place for the live nativity, the highlight of the second annual event at the church, or at least that is what the coordinators thought until late that afternoon when they received the news that Mary, along with a few other key figures like Joseph and some shepherds and wisemen, had fallen ill and were not going to make it.

In came Lindsey, visiting from Boston and attending the service with friends and family. Deacon Patti Keller, one of the coordinators, singled Lindsey out and asked her to play Mary in light of the circumstances.

“We had to [pick] a Mary from the back row,” said Deacon Keller. “She (Lindsey) was the right height for the costume.” She said the first Mary who was chosen suddenly could not make it, and the alternate Mary was sick.

Reverend Paul Harrison told the congregation of about 35 people, “We thought we had everything set for the evening, but because of the sickness, we’ve recruited a new cast.”

The gatherers opened the service singing “Joy to the World,” followed by the lighting of the Advent candles, with Deacon Keller asking, “Is there a sheep in the back who would like to help light a candle?” Little sheep Isabelle Breton, age 6 of Middleboro, was excited to oblige.

Halfway through the service, it was time for Joseph and Mary to enter the scene. Smiling shyly, they quietly took their places in the front of the room, beneath a wooden-constructed stable as the audience sang “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” accompanied by Paul Sardinha of New Bedford on the organ.

One by one, the rest of the characters took their places. Steven Morrison, age 8 of Rochester, playing a shepherd, took his place beside Joseph as his little sheep Isabelle followed him. Little camel Camden Vallee, age 4 of Rochester, stood on the other side by Mary.

The congregation continued singing various Christmas hymns, like “Away in a Manger,” “The First Noel,” and “We Three Kings.”

Once the children were assembled, and the story of Jesus’s birth was told, the lights were turned out and each one in the room lit a white candle and softly sang “Silent Night.”

“Let us remember the less fortunate than us, in this season of giving,” Reverend Harrison reminded the congregation before concluding the service.

Vistor Morrison, age 15 of Rochester, a.k.a. Joseph, said it was great playing Joseph, even if it was last minute.

“I did it last year,” said Victor, “but I didn’t know I was going to do it again this year.”

Before leaving, Lindsey, age 25, a.k.a. Mary, said she was happy to help out at the last minute.

“I loved the opportunity to participate,” said Lindsey. “It was great.”

By Jean Perry

Photos by Felix Perez