Grace Christian School perform "Letters to Santa," during which they tell Santa about the true meaning of Christmas.

Photo Credit: Anthony Buzzeo

Grace Berlage singing "What Child Is This?"

Photo Credit: Anthony Buzzeo

The three wisemen, Chancellor Hayes, Grant Matkins, Daniel Lombardo, kneel before the manger.

Photo Credit: Anthony Buzzeo

STAMFORD, Conn. — Amid the rushed shopping and wrapping that go hand in hand with the season, students at Grace Christian School reminded friends and family what they believe Christmas is about.

Tuesday afternoon they performed “Letters to Santa,” a short, three-scene musical that transitions from a secular holiday tale to the birth of Christ and the religious meaning of Christmas. The play was written and directed by the school’s music teacher, Stephanie Mann-Marinello.

“We have taken it into our school and put God’s truth into it,” Chris DeSanctis, headmaster, said of the meaning of Christmas. He said he was very proud of his students for putting on the production.

The play started with the students sharing their Christmas lists. The audience was entertained by the student requests, which ranged from Legos, to $10 million, to cars, to Angry Birds and even a partridge in a pear tree.

As the third scene begins the play takes a turn and the students tell Santa that Christmas is really the celebration of Jesus’ birth and not about the presents Santa brings them. The play concludes with the entire cast singing “God of the City” in a setting that includes a nativity scene and Santa kneeling before the baby Jesus.  

“Be bold this Christmas,” DeSanctis said afterward, urging guests to stand up for what they believe in and share it with others.