Service offers comfort for those with ‘the blues’
Marfa
Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in “I am feeling blue.” Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other condition that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities.
Christmas–time can be a painful time for some. The constant refrain on the radio and television, in shopping malls and churches about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had. The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation—all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern; we need to know that we are not alone.
Our spirits sink as the days grow shorter. We feel the darkness growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us.
For these reasons, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church—the stone church behind the Marfa Courthouse—offers a special “Longest Night” service on Monday, December 22, at 6 p.m.
Join others in sharing and hearing prayers, scripture and music. Everyone, regardless of church background (or lack of it), is welcome.
Take part in a long tradition—the annual Live Nativity
Alpine
The annual Live Nativity, sponsored by Michael’s Mountain Ministry of Alpine, will be held December 19 – 21 this year at the stable area by Kokernot Lodge. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. each evening, with coffee, hot chocolate and cookies served to members of the audience and participants after each night’s performance. Youngsters from the Big Bend Children’s Chorus will entertain with Christmas carols before the Nativity performance on December 20.
This year is approximately the 38th year of the Live Nativity, its present location beginning in 1991. In the late ‘80s, the Live Nativity was just a still scene in front of the First Presbyterian Church with very few props (though the same manger was used) and no animals. Mary, Joseph, a shepherd or two, and an angel on a ladder behind a backdrop were frozen in time to the mobile audience driving by in their cars.
As the vision for the production enlarged, Michael’s Mountain Ministry moved the program to the “stable area” between Kokernot Lodge and the outdoor theatre. Still on a shoestring budget, old wood was borrowed each year to build the stable which then was dismantled; some years the wood was returned to the donor. Finally, an idea came to build the stable out of two cattle panels welded together to form an arching shape wired to T-posts in the ground. Hay or straw is stuffed into the panel squares each year to form a primitive shelter for animals.
“John” the lamb became the Nativity flock for many years, and various goats came and went. Donkeys playing the part of Mary’s steed began with Snowball and continued with Everett, Patty, Zeke, Mijo, Chewbacca and currently, Pumpkin, owned by the Wasserman Wranch. Although several camels from the Texas Camel Corps were used for many years, Carl, the beautiful Bactrian camel from the Wasserman ranch will again serve as the wise men’s royal steed!
Herod has his own palace now, complete with scribes, wise men, the census reader and a Roman soldier. Action begins at Herod’s palace to the reverberating tones of a huge gong provided and played by Burt Compton of Marfa.
Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, the innkeeper, angels and the shepherds complete the cast. Anyone of any age in the tri-county area, resident or visitor, is welcome to come participate in the production—there are no lines to learn and costumes are provided, including ostrich-feather wings for the angels! Cast members and audience are reminded that the Nativity weather is usually cold to frigid; dressing in warm layers. including hats and gloves, will help the actors to stay warm during the performances.
Because the Live Nativity has been so blessed in its long years of Christmas tradition, there are parents who were children in the play years ago who now bring children of their own to take part in the production. Sometimes there are even grandparents with their grandchildren donning robes and taking their place on the humble “stage.”
As director, Karen McGuire said, “It is a beautiful thing to see people of all ages, from all walks of life, come together in unity to re-enact the story of the birth of Jesus. There is no way we could put on this production without all of our wonderful volunteers who unload and load props and costumes, stuff hay in the stable, set up the sound system and lights, assist angels in putting on their wings, make cookies, serve the refreshments, and being just great help!”
Anyone interested in helping unload or set up for the Nativity or to volunteer in any way, may call Karen McGuire at 432-386-3071. For those wishing to participate in the Live Nativity, please be at the new location—the prop barn right next to the outdoor theater stage—between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. each night of the performances. Audience members are reminded to also dress warmly, and bring lawn chairs or blankets to be more comfortable while viewing the performances. Neither Sul Ross State University nor the Texas State University System endorse or support the Live Nativity.
Start the new year lucky with the Black-Eyed Pea Off
Terlingua
The 35th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Off (cook-off) will be held in the Terlingua Ghost Town on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Participants need to bring their best Black-eyed Peas for judging and to share with spectators.
Award and prizes will be given for first, second and third place. Turn-in time is 2 p.m. sharp with a $10 entry fee. Peas may be cooked onsite or off. Spectators can start the year off with a bowl of “good luck” peas for a $10 (or more) donation—includes bowl, spoon and cornbread until it runs out. There will be local music and a raffle for several “Hot Dates” (room and dinner). All proceeds will benefit continuing education scholarships for Terlingua School graduates.