HOBART | Despite dark gray skies and a bone-chilling wind, the spirit of Christmas burned bright and warm for the 25th annual Christmas parade Saturday.

City fire and police vehicles escorted children dressed as angels and others depicting Bethlehem characters, inducing the three wise men atop white horses, down Main Street from East 4th Street to St. Bridget's Church.

The Rev. Dick Brown of the First Baptist Church of Hobart has been to every parade, and says it is purposely designed to emphasize the religious aspect of Christmas.

"I think so. At least it's keeping it in the vein of where it was 2,000 years ago."

His wife, Daneth, said the parade, which used to include choirs and a live nativity, has evolved over the years. "It's been really exciting to watch it over the years. Not every town does this."

The parade started with the blowing of a shofar by Jim Barbarossa of the Jubilee Worship Center of Hobart. The shofar is fashioned from the horn of an African Kudu, a type of deer. Blown when God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses, Barbarossa said the message is, "The Ten Commandments haven't changed, and God expects us to obey them."

Don and Bobbie Sullivan, of Hobart, paused from their Christmas shopping with their 11-month-old son, Benjamin, to watch. As the parade passed, Benjamin, bundled up in his mother's arms, watched with wide eyes.

Afterward, a program was took place at St. Bridget's that included visits with Santa Claus, and a birthday cake and the singing of "Happy Birthday" for Jesus.