Twenty-nine children with special needs were the stars of the second annual Christmas nativity talent show in December 2019 — all because of one boy with a vision.
Elias Barahona from Tacoma, Washington, had a longtime dream of being Joseph, but no one ever chose the boy with Down syndrome to play this role. The faith community came together with five weeks of planning to produce the first special needs Christmas talent program in 2018.
Since then, participant, donor and audience interest keeps growing for providing a stage for special needs children to shine for Jesus.
“I love how our community is embracing this program,” says Nitza Salazar, Washington Conference children’s ministries director, “not only our churches, but our community. This is unique. This is something new. Everyone is excited about this program. They aren’t seeing it anywhere else.”
Salazar explains why this program is particularly meaningful: “The parents don’t see their kids up on stage often. Some of the parents told me this is the first time they saw their kids on stage. We have all kinds of needs represented, and it is so beautiful to give them a place where they can shine.”
The production isn’t heavy on lights or sound, so kids won’t feel uncomfortable. There isn’t a lot of stimulation. A quiet room is available for overwhelming moments. The narration, read by retired teacher Harold Richards, is simple and short.
Different talents offered by cast members ranging from 7 months to age 31, and averaging about age 12, include playing an instrument, saying a Bible verse, singing, acting and sharing sign language — with varying levels of stage fright. Siblings, friends, parents or caregivers are often right alongside the performers.
“Our audience is very forgiving,” Salazar says. “They love those time when kids come on stage. They take videos and pictures. It’s so adorable to see the kids performing. The parents love and treasure this so much, to see their kids on stage.“
Parents and their children feel like they belong, and they want to share this happiness. They want more kids to have this an opportunity to shine.
“I can see God looking at these kids and smiling,” Salazar says. “Every child is uniquely created with gifts and talents to exalt their Creator. And our ministry is blessed to come alongside families with special needs and celebrate their children. My desire, my dream, my prayer is for more churches and communities to embrace special needs families.”
Watch We Three Kings in four parts on the Washington Conference vimeo page.
Kevin Valazquez, 26, from Everett, Washington, has a great interest in sign language. In addition to performing “How Many Kings,” he also taught his Pathfinder club how to sign “Silent Night” so his friends could be part of his sign language choir.
Elias Barahona’s (second from right) dream of playing Joseph in a Christmas nativity was fulfilled in 2018, when he was surrounded by new friends who also had special needs.
Jacob Cook from Bellevue, Washington, and Samuel Clayton from Tacoma try on their costumes during rehearsal time for the special needs Christmas program. In the process of trying on and then purposefully exchanging costumes for a better fit, the boys and their parents got to know each other. As they left rehearsal, Cook turned to his new friend to say, “Bye, Sam!” The connections and friendships made at occasions like this are invaluable to families with special needs.
Desiree White, a family nurse practitioner who adopted two children with Down syndrome from China and Albania, sits in the "We Three Kings" audience as the program begins. White appreciates how her children are freely allowed to worship Jesus with their unique gifts and skills.
Tabitha Casey, the angel in a wheelchair on the right, expressed her great joy in being an angel by calling out her excitement throughout the evening. Her mom heard about the special needs Christmas program at the thrift store where Nitza Salazar was buying costume materials and props.
Nitza Salazar thanks the audience for raising $1,000 to continue supporting Christmas talent shows for special needs children. The audience initially raised about $700, and a donor rounded the donations up.
Every Christmas Elias Barahona wanted to be Joseph in a nativity play. But he never had the opportunity to play this role — until his mom, Anayanci, met the right people to pull together this dream.
Abby Nixon, 19, who has cerebral palsy, receives a dozen red roses from her uncle after the “We Three Kings” program. She had invited her family from Bellevue, Washington, to come see her as an angel. Her uncle bent down to her level to lavish her with affirming words, including “you are my angel, you are so beautiful,” while her family and friends wiped away tears.
Two decorated offering buckets looking like drums have special meaning. A man recently out of prison heard about the special needs Christmas program at a group Bible study. He wanted to help but didn’t have any resources. Instead, he stood on a street corner with a cardboard sign begging for money until he had enough to make the first bucket. His Bible study leader paid for him to make the second bucket. Every person has a role to play in God’s kingdom.
The Feris family from Kent, Washington, beams with pride at their involvement in the special needs program at their home church. Dad Steve ran the livestream while mom Tiffany recorded the program from the front row. Siblings Alex and Katrina were among the first performers of the evening when they sang “Seek Ye First.” “This is a big event for our family,” says Tiffany Feris. “We listened to YouTube videos, followed the words, practiced in the car, on the road to church, wherever we were going.” Katrina adds, “I felt joy, but I don’t like singing up stage. But being an angel is better than being Mary. Angels have wings. Mary has to have a baby.”
