Children grace the stage in Malta Assembly of God's Christmas Program

The "true meaning" of Christmas was on full display at the Malta Assembly of God Church on Sunday night as the church hosted their 2014 Christmas Program with a presentation of The Secret of Snowflake County in which 32 children took to the stage and delighted the crowd for 45 minutes.

The Secret of Snowflake County tells the story of a place where Christmas celebrations have become so extravagant that they start to overshadow the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. A series of misadventures lead the town folk of Snowflake to that realization as the children sang, danced and acted the night away.

"I trust you caught the message behind that," said Malta Assembly of God Pastor James Fercho following the musical. "We can have all the extravaganza that we want, but if we miss the simple story of Jesus coming to this Earth and what he did for us then we miss the whole point."

Heather Cook, one of the show's directors, said that through "lots of prayer" and "picking a play the children could enjoy and be excited for" were the two determining factors when they decided to perform The Secret of Snowflake County.

"We practiced this for two months and everyone did an excellent job," Cook said of her cast.

Daeson Salveson played the part of Intern Joey. Salveson said he enjoyed playing the part and enjoyed all the songs.

"They were all pretty good," the Saco fifth grader said. Salveson said he has participated in three different Christmas Programs at Malta Assembly of God Church, adding that he thought this year's was the best.

Dodson sixth grader Tyra Medicine Bear played the part of Mayor Hallmark and following the performance she said she was happy with how the show played out.

"I think we all did a really good job," she said.

Snowflake, Medicine Bear's fifth play, was also her favorite. She said the hardest part of the production was memorizing lines, but the best part was "changing people's lives."

Malta Elementary second grade student Jaydon Fercho, who played the part of Mitch Mistletoe, said that he has been in every play at Malta Assembly of God Church and had a definite answer as to his favorite part each year.

"When I get to talk," Fercho said. "This is the most lines I have had so far."

Fercho said that the hardest part of any performance is remembering lines, but added he didn't forget any on the night.

Following the performance, everyone was invited into the Fellowship Hall to enjoy refreshments, putting a nice exclamation point on a wonderful night.

Cast

Townspeople: Colin Simanton, Rylee DuPree, Fin Witmer, Jean Jackson, Rylee Hines, Shylee Hines, Luke Tatfu and Kierna Young. Mayor Hallmark: Tyra Medicine Bear. Holly Berry: Leslie Young. Candice Appleton: Keonna Medicine Bear. Mitch Mistletoe: Jaydon Fercho. Intern Joey: Deason Salveson. Hungry Racoons: Jenyr Fercho, Johnny Salveson and Christopher Salveson. Ice Skate: Jourdyn Fercho. Snow Flakes: MacKenzie Whitmer and Maddy Tatafu. Candy Cane: Eddie DuPree. Snowman/Mime: Sage DuPree. Shepherds/Cowboys: Mason Simanton, Darden Anderson, Ryder Raymond, Hoyt Hellie and Haden Hallie. Suzy Hallmark: Renzy Raymond. Max: Nathan Salveson. Tap Dancing Wisemen: Jourdyn Fercho, Madison Lamb and Chloe Lamb.

Directors: Heather Cook, Tiffaney Fercho and Lynette Medicine Bear.