Area churches hold live Nativities

Few activities bring the Christmas season to life like live Nativity scenes. Area churches see live Nativities as a way to serve the community and provide seasonal events.

First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau held its second annual live Nativity on Dec. 10 on the grounds of the downtown Cape Girardeau church.

Church members braved the cold and put on costumes to play Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds and an angel. Christmas carols played through speakers, a fire pit burned off to the side, and a star hung above the stable. A pen next to the stable held a camel, two sheep and two donkeys. Everything was built and organized by the church's members.

Julia Woodfin has been a member of First Presbyterian for 26 years and thought of putting on a live Nativity.

"We wanted to give something to the community they would enjoy and that would mean something for this time of year," Woodfin said. "We thought about what we can do to make our church more noticeable. I had the idea, and everyone went along with it."

Woodfin said a lot of work went into the scene. In addition to bringing in the animals and finding individuals to dress in costumes, church members also provided chili, cookies and hot chocolate for those in attendance.

Interim pastor Bill Vincent played a wise man. Vincent has served at First Presbyterian since May 2010 and this was his first live Nativity. He described it as a "fun and moving experience."

"This way is one way to present and celebrate what happened [at Jesus['] birth]," Vincent said.

Many from the community visited the Nativity. Brant Hobbs, 9, of Bloomfield, Mo., said he enjoyed seeing the camel and was grateful for the cookies and hot chocolate provided by the church.

The Young family of Cape Girardeau was on their way to a Southeast Missouri State University basketball game and saw the live Nativity and stopped to visit.

Woodfin said about 75 people came inside for food. More parents brought their children to the outside Nativity this year, she said.

Woodfin said the live Nativity helps to remind people of the reason for the season and is a great opportunity to welcome anyone to stop by the church.

The animals were provided by Eldon Wilson, who has supplied animals for area churches for the past six years. He also supplied animals for Nativities at Caney Fork Baptist Church and the Jackson City Park. Wilson first helped Caney Fork and word spread to other area churches about his animals.

Wilson is also providing the animals for Hanover Lutheran Church's live Nativity at 6 p.m. today at 2949 Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau. A reception will follow in the church's new activity center with refreshments and a handbell choir concert.

Pastor Tony Kobak sees the Nativity as "an outreach to the community to show the story of Jesus Christ's birth."

"We get to be incredible witnesses to a poignant story," Kobak said. "Imagine a pregnant woman traveling hundreds of miles only to find out there's no room in the inn and she has to give birth in a manger made to feed sheep."

During the performance there will be commentary on the story and music from the choir.

Hanover Lutheran first started a live Nativity in 1990. Kobak described the event as "a lot of fun" and invites everyone to come out.

More information on Hanover Lutheran can be found at www.hanoverlutheran.com and for First Presbyterian at www.firstpccape.org.