13:17 pm Butler celebrates Christmas with live nativity, tree lighting
By Ashley Rader
Photo by Danny Davis - Harry Pierce prepares to flip the switch to light the Butler Community Christmas tree. This is the first time the tree has been lit in many years.
The brisk temperatures did not dampen the Christmas spirit as the Butler community turned out for a Christmas celebration Saturday afternoon complete with a live nativity, caroling and a lighting of the community Christmas tree.
Photo by Danny Davis - Kreg Smith, Dan Wood and Claude Duncan acted as the Three Wise Men in the live nativity at the Christmas in Butler Park Saturday afternoon.
The Butler Ruritan sponsored the event which was titled “Christmas in Butler Park.” Butler Ruritan member Merry Murdock said they hope to make the “Christmas in Butler Park” a tradition.
Photo by Danny Davis - Barbara Benedict didn’t let the cold weather steal her smile. She cheerfully sang Christmas carols at the Christmas in Butler Park.
Photo by Danny Davis - Anna Dugger and Phyllis Matherly sing in harmony while joining in during the singing of Christmas carols at the Christmas in Butler Park.
Ruritan members Paul and Cheryl Fox portrayed Joseph and Mary in the live nativity. Kreg Smith, Claude Duncan and Dan Wood portrayed the three wise men.
Photo by Danny Davis - The Live Nativity was the main event at the Christmas in Butler Park. Paul and Cheryl Fox acted as Joseph and Mary. Susan Defellipio brought a mule for the nativity scene and James and Laurie Kegley supplied a ewe and two lambs. Here, Earl Garland reads a portion of the Nativity story from Matthew, Chapter 2.
Community members supplied the animals for the nativity scene. Susan Defellipio brought a mule and James and Laurie Kegley brought an ewe and two lambs.
Photo by Danny Davis - Chloe Trivette pets Chiquita the mule before the start of the Christmas in Butler Park.
Several local churches were involved in the “Christmas in Butler Park” by singing in the Community Choir which sang carols between the readings of the nativity story that was taken from Matthew, Chapter 2. The group sang several traditional Christmas carols including “Away in a Manger,” “The First Noel,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Following the readings and the carols, the Butler community Christmas tree was lit. Terry Potter noted this was the first time the tree had been lit this decade. The community Christmas tree stands at the corner of the Butler Ruritan Park. It was decorated with string and rope lights and a star adorned the top of the tree. However, at the time of the celebration, the sun was still out and the lights on the tree were not yet visible to the crowd.
At the end of the ceremony, the attendees were invited to enjoy hot cider, hot chocolate, donuts and cupcakes in the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Also, a collection was made for canned food for the Milligan Food Pantry and dog biscuits for the Johnson County Pet Adoption Center, which is also located in Butler.
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