It's a Christmas tradition which began 34 years ago. In 1989, Our Lady Queen of Peace presented a Christmas program featuring a live nativity scene. The annual performance also includes scripture reading and carols. On Dec. 7, the Boothbay Harbor Catholic church continued its tradition with a mixture of local and Augusta cast members.

About 30 people braved the cold 34F weather to sing carols and hear about the birth of Jesus Christ. Ed LeCuyer is the church musical director. He describes the annual program as a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas. "In a chaotic world, we are reminded of the real meaning of Christmas. This is a troubled world which desperately needs reminding that God gave his only Son, so we could all have eternal life," he said.

At 6:30 p.m., the program began. Eleven carols were sung: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel;" "O Little Town of Bethlehem;" "What Child is This;" "Silent Night;" "Away in a Manger;" "The First Noel;" "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing;" "O Come, All Ye Faithful;" "Angels We Have Heard On High;" "We Three Kings" and "Joy to the World."

The program is held the first Saturday in December to coincide with Boothbay Lights. This year's cast was Madaline Bilodeau (Mary), Erin Botts (angel), Cadie Burns (witness), and Henry Hurford, Michael Bilodeau and John Leonard, the Three Kings.