Christmas comes to life at St. Paul’s and Kelkenberg Farm

Clarence Bee article written by Emily Stoll, Editor

It’s a common sight as December approaches: statues or small figurines of humans and animals playing out one of the most well-known scenes in human history, gazing with love and wonder upon an infant resting in a manger.

Odds are you’ve seen countless Nativity scenes in your life. But this year, for the second year in a row, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and Kelkenberg Farm are holding a Living Nativity, with real people portraying not just this very special moment but also the travels leading up to it.

“We all felt like the experience [last year] was pretty phenomenal,” said Melissa Zech. “It was fun to share the story of Jesus with so many people in such a cool, authentic setting, and the community that came out was so excited about it.”

This year’s Living Nativity will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, weather permitting. Visitors will begin their journey at the church, 7720 Goodrich Road, where they check in and visit a Roman centurion’s tax station. It’s census time in the area, so all the visitors have to make their way back to Bethlehem to register – the same journey that Mary and Joseph took so many centuries ago. Along their journey, both walking and driving, they will encounter angels, shepherds and real sheep, as well as three Magi stopped at Herod’s palace during their search for the newborn king.

“[Then] they’re going to try to stop at an inn. I don’t know how it will work out for them,” joked the Rev. Rako Zech, pastor at St. Paul’s. “We have a very grumpy innkeeper,” he later added, something that made the inn a favorite stop for some of the volunteers.

The journey nears its end when visitors finally register for the census in the Bethlehem market, a busy, energetic and noisy place where there will be a fiddler playing in the hayloft and singers lifting up their voices in Christmas songs. And amid the hustle and bustle, something amazing happens that shifts the mood to what some of the event’s organizers described as joyful, solemn, beautiful and reverent – and perhaps even magical.

“All of a sudden, these huge barn doors opened up and it was the Nativity. It was just so moving on so many levels,” said Linda McCarthy. The crowd gathers in to see the Holy Family, and “Joy to the World” is sung, along with a message about Christmas before everyone heads back to the barn for cookies and hot cocoa. The church even plans to have a real baby as part of the scene, with a very life-like doll on deck for times when the baby needs a break.

All in all, from “check-in to cookies,” visitors will spend about 35 to 40 minutes at the event, with about 20 minutes outdoors.

Even in its first year, this living Nativity became a lot larger than initially expected, and it is now on track to become an annual event.

“At first I thought we were just going to borrow a few donkeys and have it in the parking lot,” said Jennifer Glassman. With about 65 volunteers total, everyone’s special talents and gifts are needed to paint “This Way to Jerusalem” signs, make costumes, create scripts, set up the farm, make a brochure, gather things for the market, learn lines and more. The church also broadcasts some audio via radio so cars can tune in, and some of the event organizers noted that they had help (and costumes) from other local churches last year while they were testing the waters to turn the idea into an annual reality.

Last year saw all generations show up to see the story of Jesus’ birth, and McCarthy commented that people left with a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

“I think it really prepared people’s hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus’ birth,” Glassman said.

There will be 1,000 tickets available this year for $10 each – sales begin Nov. 21 on the church’s website, JesusInTheClarenceCenter.org/.Profits will go to a to-be-determined charity; last year’s profits went to Hearts for the Homeless.

Accessibility is somewhat affected by the weather, as part of the event is outdoors, but organizers expect the event to be accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, since the ground is level. Unsteady walkers may need some support.

Originally published at:

https://www.clarencebee.com/articles/christmas-comes-to-life-at-st-pauls-and-kelkenberg-farm/