The congregation of Holy Innocents performs their Christmas Pageant.

LAHAINA – An innovative “paper bag” Christmas Pageant will be held during the 9 a.m. Sunday service on Dec. 14 at Lahaina’s Holy Innocents Episcopal Church.

For this Sunday only, there will be one Lessons & Carols Service at 9 a.m.

“Every member of the audience has a role to play,” explained Father Bill Albinger, rector of the historic church on Front Street.

Paper bags will be given out at the door. Audience members will don costumes during the Lessons and Carols, and then – in turn and upon proper cue by the narrator – every person will silently join the manger scene assembling before the altar.

“And it’s so affirming of the joyous spirit of this season when all the people in the pews come forward to help us re-enact the birth scene of the Christ Child. It’s been a real chicken-skin moment, as well as a great photo op, for all of us,” he said.

Albinger

The idea was borrowed from St. John’s-Kula by Pageant Director Penny Wakida.

This year marks the eighth in a row that the pageant has been a Holy Innocents happening.

The one-hour Christmas pageant service is open to all. It will be followed by refreshments.

Holy Innocents is located at 561 Front St.