Curse the darkness or seek the light.

On one of the darkest days in Connecticut, as a tragedy unfolded at an elementary school, a living performance at the Middlefield Federated Church about one life two thousand years ago provided some much-needed inspiration. While there was no sense to be made of the day's happenings, ahead was the re-enactment of a timeless saga of a mother and her husband . . . . and one child waiting to be born.

Then the doors opened. The aroma of pizza and friendly atmosphere within certainly warmed a tired soul seeking refuge (and a story).

The cost of admission? A can of beans to a church’s ongoing support of The Amazing Grace Food Pantry. No fear for those who arrived beanless, because a merchant under a tent inside provided a canned-goods solution.

Nash Knowlton, 9, appropriately dressed as the son of the “bean merchant” – his real mother, Rebeka Knowlton – was my helpful guide to find the live critters. (By the way, Rebeka's two other sons were alternate “Josephs” and her husband was the guide at the parking lot.)

Marilyn Keurajian brought along her two amiable hens that made themselves comfortable at the simple outdoor stable filled with ample bedding, flanked by fragrant hay bales.

Six-month-old Ayrshire heifer “Raspberry Vanilla” stepped off a trailer and into place to munch feed and hay alongside year-old polled Hereford “Petals” – brought from Wallingford by Rachel Footit of Meriden, who was raised in Middlefield where the majority of her family live.

Almost ready. The indoor lights were dimmed; each small group that arrived was guided through a runway of luminaries on a walk through the theater performance that included shepherds by a crackling fire outdoors and a song led by an angel at the stable.

So what makes people come out in the darkness to hear about a baby born more than 2,000 years ago? And why is it still hard to watch as even two young actors get turned away repeatedly, with the words “there's no room here” and see doors slammed in their faces.

No matter what belief, time or ethnicity, nearly every rational adult will recognize the joy, work and potential contained within a child. And whether it's a Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another event you choose to celebrate, children are the heart of a family.

The commitment to raising and teaching the next generation of humans creates the fabric of a place worth living.

Powerful stuff, that.

Even stronger is the infusion of hope, faith, and love made visible in the actions and dedication of a group at Middlefield Federated Church who welcomed all visitors on a bleak night when breaking news of tragedy in an elementary school overwhelmed life – and almost – hope.

“Why does anybody tell a story? It does indeed have something to do with faith. Faith that the universe has meaning, that our little human lives are not irrelevant, that what we choose or say or do matters, and it matters cosmically.”

– Madeleine L'Engle