The heavenly voices heard emanating from Glen Cove Village Square on the evening of Friday, Nov. 30 may not have been from a host of angels in the literal sense, but the children from St. Patrick's Church Children's Choirs were angels in their own right as they stood on risers in frigid temperatures and sang hymns to celebrate the birth of the Christ child. It was Glen Cove's third annual Blessing of the Nativity, a celebration to bring home the message to "Keep Christ in Christmas."

The event was presented by members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians as it has been for these three years, all wise men and women represented in the person of one Jack McDougal. This year, however, was particularly poignant, as the night was dedicated to Al Baker, who passed away this year and is the man everyone involved credits as the driving force behind the Nativity blessing. After welcoming the crowd of more than 250 people, many of whom were Bakers themselves, Sgt. McDougal recalled memories of his friend during Christmases past. "...standing in the cold and damp garage with Eddie Doohan and Ralph Pedone while the crèche was being built...Al's admiration of the manger and his gentle touch on the wood, as if it were an irreplaceable work of art...the smiles and laughter we shared, as well as the wee bit of Jamison's in our tea." The sergeant concluded, "No matter how many Christmases this crèche is blessed, the first year will always be credited to Al Baker. As he so fondly called many others, Al called Eddie, Ralph and me 'friend.' That in itself is enough of an honor for participating in the building of the crèche."

The crèche now truly is an irreplaceable work of art, as it has been adorned with a plaque dedicated to Mr. Baker. The plaque on the manger reads: Dedicated to "God's Friend" Al Baker on his first Christmas in Heaven and is dated November 30, 2007.

Sgt. McDougal then offered a bit of history, explaining how the event evolved from discussions by the Hibernians, and reinforced by the Knights of Columbus, that "with all the commercialism and political correctness that has become so much a part of the Christmas season, it was time to remember the true meaning of Christmas."

His concern over whether or not skeptics were correct in their assertion that people would not attend were obviously not an issue; the sergeant had to speak through a microphone to be heard throughout the crowd, and as anyone who knows Jack can tell you, it takes a lot to drown out his everyday voice. Sgt. McDougal introduced Glen Cove Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, who thanked the crowd for attending and expressed his pleasure at the public event which mirrored the Christmases he has celebrated all his life as a Catholic. Local clergy on hand to perform the actual blessing included Father Thom Costa, Father Marty Klein, the Rev. Betsy Simpson and Father Aaron Vellaramparampil. The padres abstained from sprinkling holy water on the crowd, said Fr. Thom, due to the fear of water turning to ice mid-air. That would have been no miracle on the freezing night.

The unassuming Sgt. McDougal made certain to let the crowd know that while he was the person speaking, the event was made possible thanks to the work of a number of cohorts. He thanked Mr. Doohan and Mr. Baker, whom he called the original inspiration and motivators, Michael Puntillo, Jr., owner of the property that houses the crèche, Peter and Liz of Gly Books and Gifts, who donated the figurines, Norm Sorenson who donated the wood, Ralph Pedone and Tony Capobianco who built the manger, and Eric Sobek and members of the K of C who transported the crèche. Also thanked were Mao, for setting up the sound system, Fran Howlett and Erin Howlett-Anci, who run the St. Patrick's Children's Choirs, the angelic children themselves, Chief Michael DiLeo of the Glen Cove Auxiliary Police, OD Stamps and Tom Glynn, and the Catholic Daughters and Knights of Columbus for a donation of cookies and doughnuts. Jeanine DiMenna of Page One Restaurant was thanked "for her encouragement, but mostly for the donation of hot chocolate." Hot chocolate was more precious than myrrh on that cold winter's night.