The Paper Bag Pageant tells the story of the Birth of Christ in a way that everyone can be involved in with active participation from the youngest to the oldest. It is incorporated into the 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service.

At the St. Stephen's version everyone coming in the front doors chooses a costume "prop" from several clearly marked paper bags. (Some churches give everyone a small paper bag and it's only when opened that the member discovers their role.)

Each role is asked in turn to gather around the altar as the play is read by the The Rev. Greg Fry.
Roles include:

• Prophets
• Stars
• Mary and Joseph
• Animals and Birds
• Trees
• Angels
• Shepherds and Sheep
• Kings and Queens

The service is a hit with all ages and by the end of the reading everyone should be standing around the altar. One of the amazing things about the Paper Bag Pageant is it's fun (no rehearsals!), spiritual and prompt - the entire service takes 45 minutes.