Christian community brings first Christmas to life
Published 1:01 pm Saturday, December 15, 2007
- MELCHIOR AND BALTHASAR (aka Sam Onjukker, Imbler, and Richard Frank, Union) and a friend whose name is not Caspar, came from afar for last year's Live Nativity event at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in La Grande. They came bearing gold for the King of kings, frankincense for the Priest of priests and myrrh for Jesus Christ's sacrifice and suffering in atonement for mankind's sin. - Submitted photo
Experience the true “Reason for the Season” as
actors and live animals bring the first Christmas to life with a Living
Nativity.
For the second year, the community has been invited to stroll
through the little town of Bethlehem and encounter Roman guards, a
census taker, shepherds, wisemen and more.
Last year, Bethlehem’s census taker registered
more than 625 visitors to view the recreation of Bethlehem. Many more
are expected this year as the word has spread.
A new addition to this year’s Living Nativity, weather
premitting, is Clyde – a real camel. Meet Clyde as well as other
animals of Bethlehem.
After last year’s event, members of other churches in the
county asked how they could help, making this event even bigger than
last year.
A stroll through this version of Bethlehem at the time of
Jesus’ birth includes more than 15 various replicas – some of them
illustrated by local artist Jon Hanley – of the temple, a synagogue,
the Roman garrison, money changers, blacksmiths, candle makers, dye
shop and even an early Jewish home setting.
Everyone is invited to stay and fellowship with cookies and hot drinks to the background of live Christmas music indoors.
The event is free. Those who are able and wish to do so may
donate in order to help defray the cost of the Living Nativity, support
the Adventist Development and Relief Agency as well as other local
community events.
The Living Nativity is run entirely by volunteers and hosted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.