South Kent School joyfully continued one of its most cherished traditions last night with the annual Nativity Play, presented at 7:30 PM in the heart of St. Michael’s Chapel. For those unable to join us in person, the performance was livestreamed on the School’s YouTube channel and will remain available for viewing throughout the holiday season.
For nearly a century, this beloved play has anchored the South Kent holiday experience. The Nativity Play is far more than a performance; it is a reverent retelling of the Christmas story through the Gospel accounts of Luke and Matthew. As The Reverend Father Klots, School Chaplain, shares, “The Nativity Play uses scripture from the King James Version of the Bible to recount the birth of Jesus. It also uses many of the great Christmas carols, ones that almost everyone knows like O Come, All Ye Faithful, to echo and proclaim that same story. The script that we use is the very same one compiled in the late 1920s.”
Head of School Brian D. Sullivan reflects on the enduring nature of this experience: “What makes this play so special is not just its heartfelt storytelling, but its ability to resonate deeply with the students. While many traditions have evolved since South Kent’s founding in 1923, some are more than customs, they are woven into the fabric of our daily life. This is one tradition that stands out as uniquely South Kent, something we do once a year that truly defines us
Father Klots echoes this sentiment: “It’s the event that leaves a lasting imprint on all who experience it, creating memories that connect generations of graduates. For all who hold South Kent dear, especially at this sacred time of year.”
The evening followed the School’s Formal Christmas Dinner at 5:30 PM and brought together students, faculty, and families in celebration of the season. We are grateful to everyone who joined us in person and online, and we invite all members of the wider South Kent community to revisit the recording and share in this moment of warmth, reflection, and joy.