Arts/Entertainment

The real meaning of Christmas: Andover Baptist Church to stage its own 'Little Drummer Boy' play

By Judy Wakefield
Staff Writer
Published: December 18, 2008

Feeling intoxicated by the commercialism of the holiday season?

Brigette Bryant of Andover worries that the true meaning of Christmas gets buried with all that holiday gift wrap. So, she's at it again, writing a Christmas play for her local church that stars church members of all ages.

It's "The Little Drummer Boy," being staged at Andover Baptist Church on Saturday night, Dec. 20. Bryant is deacon of worship and music at the church.

She said if just one seed gets planted and grows to remind a child or adult about the birth of Jesus on Christmas, she'll be happy.

"We tend to lose sight," she said. "Christmas is not about being wrapped in a pretty bow ... I've used this story to get the real message out."

"The Little Drummer Boy" is a secular, not biblical story, she said, but the boy brings that important message to life. That was very important to Bryant.

Perry Wynn of Andover plays the lead role. Wanda deJesus Scott, the head of religious education at the church, has helped with the casting. About 20 kids and adults are involved. At intermission, four adults will recite poems.

"Everyone has worked hard and has come together for this," Bryant said.

Bryant teams with her husband, Lance Bryant, on the show's music. He is the church's minister of music.

This is another collaboration for the couple as they also teamed up last year for the church production of "A Great Expectation." That story is a musical about The Nativity told with lots of contemporary Gospel music and traditional Christmas hymns.

Both Bryants are graduates of the Berklee College of Music. Parents of two teens, they have lived in town since 2005.