Although it was born out of necessity last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the drive-thru live nativity at the First Church of the Nazarene may become a regular Christmas tradition for the community.
“People seem to be glad it will be back for a second year,” Bonnie Arnold said. “I have heard some very positive comments.”
The live nativity started last Christmas when the Church of the Nazarene realized they would have to cancel their annual community choir performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” The drive-thru event allowed the church and community to celebrate the holiday in a safe way.
This year, the church made the decision to once again cancel the “Messiah” performance in what would have been its tenth year had COVID not interfered.
“We knew the choir would be smaller, and we knew the congregation listening would be smaller,” Arnold said, explaining some of the reasons the performance was canceled this year. Without being able to do the “Messiah” justice, the church decided to hold off another year and once again celebrate with the live nativity instead.
Arnold and others hope to bring the community choir back in full force next Christmas. However, they now believe the live nativity will continue along with it as another annual tradition.
“It was just a really neat experience last year,” Arnold said. “You know, a lot of people kept just looping around and going right back because they wanted to just enjoy it two or three times. So it was a good experience for the community.”
Bringing the live nativity back again this year meant making some adjustments and improvements. The luminaries that light the way to the manger will be illuminated by tea lights instead of real candles, since the candles wouldn’t stay lit last year in the wind. There will also be less luminaries this year, again in response to problems caused by wind. However, there will still be 750 luminaries, making the path clear.
Having even more volunteers this year also meant being able to adjust schedules to make things easier for the actors. Last year there were three “holy families” who rotated being outside in the nativity in 20-minute shifts. This year another “holy family” has been added, which will let the actors work in 15-minute shifts, meaning they’ll have to be out in the cold for less time and have more chances to warm up inside the church between shifts.
Other adjustments came from feedback the church received last year, such as people noting the live animals were difficult to see. This year the animals will be better lit, Arnold said.
The church also hopes to keep improving the nativity in the future in various ways, such as adding an even wider variety of animals.
“I wish we could find some goats,” Arnold said. “If anyone wants to donate a goat that gets along with mules, that would be fun.”
All the details that come together to make the living nativity happen and make it better each time come from the dedication of local churches and members of the community. And this year even more people are coming on board to help out.
“Last year when we were looking for family groups, some were not very excited about it,” Arnold said, explaining some of the actors were skeptical about sitting outside in the cold. “At the end of the evening last year, they all wanted to come back this year.”
Getting help from the community is crucial, since all the materials are donated and all the work is volunteer.
“It’s really a community event with just friends and different churches,” Arnold said.
This year six churches are involved in helping with the live nativity — double the number of churches that helped last year. Church of the Nazarene hosts the event, Union Congregational Church donated the costumes and Pastor Zane Isaacson of Foothills Apostolic church in Rock Springs will be providing live music that will be played over speakers during the event. Extra support for the event is coming from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hilltop Baptist Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Other community members also play important roles in helping bring the nativity to life. Patsy and Julien Sorensen have been involved since the beginning, and Julian built the stable. Lon Wadsworth is donating the live mules for the event, and Ryan Scott is donating the corrals to hold them. Scott also has two daughters who will be actors in the event. Other support comes from committee members including Arnold, Becky Creager, and Pastor Jenar Jasso and his wife Amy. Many other volunteers make the event possible.
“We’ve got some amazing people,” Arnold said.
Thinking of last year’s event and looking forward to this year’s, Arnold is grateful.
“It was touching and we are glad to be able to do it again this year,” she said.
The drive-thru living nativity will be at the Church of the Nazarene at 630 River View Drive from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18.
Other upcoming Christmas services at local churches
Living Hope will have a children’s choir performing during the morning service Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. and a Christmas Eve Service Dec. Dec. 24 at 6 p.m.
Green River Alliance will have two Christmas Eve Services Dec. 24 at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Green River Bible Baptist will have the Academy Christmas Program Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and a Christmas Eve Service Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church will have a children’s Christmas vigil mass Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., midnight mass Christmas Eve starting at 11 p.m., and Christmas day mass at 9 a.m.
Emmanuel EV Lutheran will have a candlelight service Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. and a Christmas day service at 10 a.m.
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