Funny Christmas Story the Wise Men Came From afire

Several scenes portray the birth of Christ in a live, outdoor Nativity featuring biblical characters and farm animals presented as a Christmas gift to the community by Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Brodhead Road in Aliquippa. The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7. [Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church]

In the seasonal hubbub of light-up nights, parades escorting Santa to boondocks, and trips to shopping malls for vacation bargains, area churches offering another reason to venture into the cold: live Nativities.

Volunteers clothes in robes and shawls to depict biblical characters. They gather at makeshift stables erected on lawns or in parking lots to tell the story of Christ's nascence. Sometimes a donkey, sheep, moo-cow — fifty-fifty an alpaca — show up, too.

Tableaux oft take artistic license with Gospel stories (Magi, for case, arrived in Bethlehem much later), simply all requite us a moment to reflect and recollect that on a nighttime dark long ago, just one light was needed to point the way.

Here are area churches hosting live Nativities:

Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church

2720 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.

five:xxx to 8:30 p.m. Dec. vi and 7.

For near a dozen years, Mt. Carmel'south live Nativity has been its Christmas gift to the community. Church members and some nonmembers young and old collaborate to tell the story of Jesus' birth. The production involves about 100 people, said Betty Tatum, some who volunteer i dark or both appearing equally actors or working behind the scenes.

Several tableaux — Mary visited by the angel; the journey of Mary and Joseph; marketplace in Bethlehem; angels actualization to shepherds; wise men; and Jesus in a stable — are erected in the church's parking lot where visitors can bulldoze or walk through. Entrance is via Kennedy Boulevard.

Each scene is accompanied past recorded narration accessible on Bluetooth devices or a meaty disc. The ballad "O Little Town of Bethlehem" plays in the background.

Animals — donkey, sheep, goats, horse — are part of some scenes, too.

Concluding twelvemonth, the live Nativity drew 450 cars. Many come up every year, Tatum said.

Refreshments are served inside the church building where children can likewise make crafts. Pony cart rides also will be bachelor.

Nativity, crafts and refreshments are gratis. Donations will be accepted for local ministries.

The sanctuary also is open for tranquility reflection.

The live Nativity is a "gamble to pause and actually reflect on the significant behind the flavour," said Tatum.

For more than information, call 724-378-3821 or visit www.mtcpc.org.

St. John's Lutheran Church

1320 Church building Street, Ambridge.

Dec. 7 and 8.

For more than than 50 years, St. John'southward has presented a live Nascence on its lawn.

"It'southward a tradition," said Tammy Slavik, who started every bit an angel years ago, but now directs a cast of near xv to twenty. "We want to keep it up."

Visitors walk through five scenes: Annunciation; Mary and Joseph journeying to Bethlehem; shepherds and multitude of angels; wise men; and Mary and Joseph at the stable.

Scripture is read at each. The walk takes most 10 minutes, Slavik said.

Depending on atmospheric condition, the Birth draws 250 to 300 people per dark.

This twelvemonth, other churches in the customs volition participate, said Slavik.

Presentations start every xx minutes get-go at v p.m. and ending at viii p.1000. on Sat. On Sun, presentations beginning every 20 minutes beginning at 4 p.grand. and ending at half-dozen:xxx p.1000.

A ballad sing and Scripture reading are offered inside the church kickoff at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and seven p.m. Sunday.

Costless, low-cal refreshments (cookies, hot chocolate and coffee) are served both evenings.

For more than information, call 724-266-5618 or visit www.stjohnsambridge.org.

Beaver Assembly of God

500 Dutch Ridge Route, Brighton Township.

Apex to two p.thousand. Dec. xiv; 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 15.

Farm animals — sheep, goats, donkeys and miniature ponies — and a total bandage of Magi, Mary, Joseph, infant Jesus, shepherds, "and an affections or two" form a large, outdoor manger scene that's part of Beaver Assembly of God'south live Nativity.

As visitors approach the outdoor display, a professionally recorded, four-minute narration of the Christmas story based on the Gospel of Luke automatically plays.

Children and adults tin pet and feed the animals, too — something kids beloved, said the Rev. Tim Michaux.

For at least 21 years, the church has presented this souvenir, he said.

In conjunction with the live Nativity is a costless community Christmas party for children inside the church building that features a bounce house, face painting, airship twist art, holiday take-home crafts, games and prizes.

Children can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and receive a gift bag and cookie.

Assorted Disney, fairy tale and seasonal characters — Belle, Cinderella, Snow White, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Reddish-Nosed Reindeer, the conductor from "Polar Express" — and superheroes like Captain America, Hulk, Spiderman and Batman volition be available for photo opportunities.

A movie about the meaning of Christmas and a Christmas puppet show volition be presented in the sanctuary.

Refreshments like sloppy Joes, tacos, hot chocolate, java and tea tin can be purchased at a concession stand. Gain benefit church missions that serve more 20 countries.

Last twelvemonth, 400 children participated, Michaux said.

"It'south a tremendous two hours of fun for kids for sure," Michaux said. "Parents are e'er incredibly appreciative" and comment on the "loftier standards and quality" of the offerings, he said. "We go all out."

Foremost, the Birth and Christmas party are opportunities to "bring the love of God and joy of the Lord" forth with "sharing the teachings of the Gospel, the reality of Christ," Michaux said.

He said he "enjoys the fantasy of Christmas," but it'due south the reality of the Christmas story – that "God so loved the world that he gave his only son" – that's "life changing."

For more information, phone call 724-775-5217 or visit world wide web.beaverag.org.

New Sewickley Presbyterian Church

101 Big Knob Road, New Sewickley Township.

6:30, 7, vii:30 and 8 Dec. 20 to 22.

The church building'due south live Nativity — a serial of scenes including the manger, inn, shepherds by a burn tending sheep, and King Herod'southward throne — is set up like a drive-in theater, said Trudi Miklos, who with Sherry Schibner directs the consequence, now in its 30th yr.

"It'southward our gift to the community," Miklos said, "but information technology's actually about reaching out and touching and bringing the pregnant of the Nascency to people."

Hard to believe, but some children have never heard the Christmas story, she said.

"In that location are people out in that location that don't know it."

Cars park in line for the approximately 20-minute show to watch actors in several scenes depict events surrounding Jesus' nascency in Bethlehem. Narration and music are circulate via speakers just like at a drive-in.

"I'grand sure all the neighbors at the church hear it, too," she said.

While they sentinel, visitors are treated to hot chocolate and candy canes.

"People in the community dear it," she said. It'due south an almanac tradition for many, including those who've moved away and return home for the holidays.

And people in the cast — church members and friends, Picket troops — have fun, too, she said.

No fewer than 30 participate, only at times there have been as many as 50 to lx — "sometimes truly a multitude of angels and shepherds," said Miklos.

If anyone wishes to be included, merely show upward at five:thirty p.yard., she said. The church building has plenty of shepherd tunics and angel gowns.

"We love information technology. Information technology'south and then much fun," she said.

Get-go Baptist Church

301 Adams St., Rochester.

half dozen to viii p.k. Dec. 22 and 23.

There's a reason men at First Baptist Church grow beards in December. Many are cast as wise men, shepherds or Joseph in the church's live Nativity.

The Rev. Ed Heist, a former pastor, started information technology equally an outreach 46 years ago.

"A lady in the church building had a donkey," said Robin Vander Wagen, church treasurer, "and it kind of started out like that."

At showtime, the Nativity was presented multiple nights leading to Christmas, only as the congregation has dwindled, so have presentations.

Vander Wagen remembers participating equally a child.

"You had to be eight to be in it," she said.

This twelvemonth she will either be Mary or a shepherd. Her husband volition be i of the wise men.

"He grows a beard every twelvemonth so he doesn't have to wear a fake one," she said. "A lot of men exercise."

The Nativity is one scene without narration, but carols play.

The bandage — as many equally 40 to 50 people — volunteer for half-60 minutes shifts, rotating in and out.

Roy and Vicky Yeck of Yeck Family Farm in Freedom supply the animals — normally a donkey and sheep.

Passersby often pull off the road, park and walk upward for a closer look, Vander Wagen said.

Inside the church are activities for children and refreshments.

"It really is a nice outreach for the customs," she said.

For more information, phone call 724-775-8931 or visit fbcrochester@yahoo.com.

These churches will host Nascency displays:

Wurtemburg United Methodist Church

1244 Portersville Route, Wayne Township.

4 to 8 p.m. Dec. vi; eleven a.m. to 3 p.k. Dec. 7.

More than 200 Nativities from personal collections on loan to the church are displayed. The largest features 30 pieces. Nativities range from traditional to unusual made of glass, plastic, wood, fabric and porcelain.

Additional activities include crafts for children, free popcorn and beverage, and a 1,000-piece puzzle of a Nativity scene to help assemble.

Another feature is a cookie walk where visitors can fill a box with homemade cookies to take home. Cookies are priced past the pound. Gain benefit People in Need Inc. in Lawrence County.

For more than information, call 724-758-9685.

Chippewa United Methodist Church Customs Life Centre

118 McMillen Ave., Chippewa Township.

2 to 5 p.m. Dec. xv.

More than 100 Birth sets from effectually the earth are displayed in the church's Tertiary Almanac Nativity Showcase. Paired with the showcase is a house tour where 3 church families will open their homes to share their holiday decorating styles. Each homeowner will distribute handmade Christmas ornaments to guests.

For more data, telephone call 724-843-4828.