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In 1946, a new tradition was born in Nebraska’s Christmas City. A Methodist minister and a drama teacher in Minden put their heads together to dream up a new Christmas pageant. Their play, which would come to be called the “Light of the World” pageant, brought the Christmas story to life with color and excitement.

Minden was already known as the Christmas City because of its outstanding lights display and beautiful church choirs. But in 1946, President of the Chamber Harold Pedley was looking for something more to distinguish the city. When Rev. Arthur Johnson and drama teacher Clayton Corey proposed their pageant idea, Pedley was thrilled.

The original pageant covered six scenes. In the first, a prophet states that a virgin will conceive and bear a son. An angel appears in the second scene to tell Mary that she will mother a child who will reconcile his people to God. Mary’s husband Joseph begs an innkeeper for a room in the third scene.

The play comes to its climax in the fourth scene: an angel choir announces that the savior of the world has been born. Next, three wise men bring gifts to the newborn baby. In the final scene, the prophet Simeon is told he will not die until he sees God in the flesh, the child Jesus. As the show concludes, the 12,000 bulbs adorning the Minden courthouse light up.

That first year of the pageant, Pedley, Johnson and Corey placed a small ad in the “Omaha World-Herald.” Word spread, and an incredible crowd of 12,000 people showed up the day of the play — that’s four times Minden’s population today.

Over the past several decades, Minden’s Christmas pageant has changed. It’s added a new scene of King Herod. One year, the actors tried to wrangle donkeys into the play. At times, inclement weather has gotten the upper hand, forcing the pageant to be canceled. But Minden’s “Light of the World” is still a beacon of Christmas spirit for Nebraskans.

From Minden to Omaha to my family’s home of Valentine, Christmas is a special time for all of us. It’s a holiday full of peace, joy and hope. Across Nebraska this December, loved ones will return home to decorated trees and glinting lights, ready to celebrate and reunite with their families.

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the past year and look forward to the possibilities of next year. As we celebrate this Christmas season, I hope each of us is filled with gratitude for all God has given us. During this holiday of love, let’s not take for granted the friends and family who make our lives so much sweeter.

Of course, not all of us get to gather with our families over Christmas. Our first responders and emergency personnel will still be working hard, but it is my hope that the season still brings them joy and wonder. I’m especially grateful for our troops stationed across the globe who will be away from home this Christmas. We’re all thankful for your sacrifice and dedication.

To all my fellow Nebraskans: Merry Christmas. May this December be joyful and filled with blessings.