By Jonathan Martinez - Florida Catholic
Maria Jose Chacon, 9, plays the role of the Virgin Mary and Jacobo Garcia, 10, plays St. Joseph during the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Jacobo Garcia, 10, plays St. Joseph during the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Maria Jose Chacon, 9, plays the role of the Virgin Mary, during the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Michael Gutierrez, 16, performs at the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
James Ratzinger performs at the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Catherine Cuevas performs at the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Children from the Gesu Church religious education program in Miami perform a Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Michael Gutierrez performs at the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Children from the Gesu Church religious education program in Miami perform a Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Children from the Gesu Church religious education program in Miami perform a Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Children from the Gesu Church religious education program in Miami perform a Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Maria Jose Chacon, 9, plays the role of the Virgin Mary, during the Gesu Church Nativity play, Dec. 10, 2022.
Photography: JONATHAN MARTINEZ | FC
MIAMI | Gesu Church this December, for the second year, presented two Nativity scenes: a live one by children and a massive miniature display.
The play featured all of the children attending the church’s religious education program and covered all the major events up to the birth of Jesus. Next to the play was a massive Nativity scene by José and Maria Martinez of Kendall, with three sections measuring 16 feet by 8 feet, and approximately 1,500 figurines.
“We do all of this so that faith may grow in the community, in the children, and in society in general which has been slowly declining,” said Sister Julia Barreto, director of faith formation at Gesu.
“My hope is that those who attended today take with them the essence of that purity that children have inside when expressing their Christian faith,” Sister Julia continued. “They are giving back what they have received during their catechism. They are showing their parents that they are capable of doing beautiful things and that they can express their Christianity.”
The play, in the church’s parish hall, drew an audience of 80 including many of the parents who helped bring the Christmas story to life.
“The church unites the children to represent the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the birth of our Savior,” said Maria Monro, one of the parents involved in the play.
Sister Julia agreed. “This is for people to truly love Jesus and make him the center of their lives and the center of their families.”
