RANGELEY — The Christmas season in the Rangeley Region will once again commence with the "Walk to Bethlehem" pageant and program on Sunday evening, Dec. 7 by the Rangeley Friends of the Arts.

This annual event has been a wonderful display of holiday spirit, talent and the true story of Christmas for well over two decades. Walkers and carolers are asked to assemble at the Rangeley Inn on Main Street at 5 p.m. with flashlights in hand for the walk that will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will end with the Christmas program at the Church of the Good Shepherd immediately following the walk.

Leading the procession from the Inn to each of the four downtown Rangeley churches will be Mary, Joseph, shepherds and the three wise men. By tradition, a Rangeley area couple and their newborn portray Mary, Joseph and the Christ child.

This is truly a participatory community event as everyone is invited to be part of the procession as they sing Christmas carols through the streets of Rangeley while following Mary and Joseph as they seek shelter for the night.

The program will include numbers by outstanding local individuals and the talented women's, men's and RLRS choirs. The pageant will conclude with "Hallelujah Chorus" and "Silent Night."

If you have experienced the "Walk to Bethlehem" and the Christmas program in the past, you are quite likely planning to be a part of it again this year. If this is your first, it most certainly won't be your last.

Refreshments will be served in the Church Undercroft following the program. The Board of Directors of the Rangeley Friends of the Arts sincerely invites you to join us on this uplifting holiday evening for the entire Rangeley Region communities.