Dec 16, 2011 2 min read

United Christian Church, located at 499 Malden Road in Coal Center, announces its annual living Nativity event, called Journey to Bethlehem 2011, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

This community presentation features 10 dramatic scenes that illustrate the story of Christ’s birth. This display includes live animals and a revolving spotlight that serves as a star for passersby to follow to the church.

Officials said in a statement, “As in years past, church members and volunteers dress as figures from the biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ for carloads of spectators. The objective is to both entertain and remind viewers that Christmas isn’t about Santa Claus or giving gifts or even spending time with loved ones. Instead, Christmas is a time to celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever been given, Jesus Christ.”

According to members of the Journey to Bethlehem Committee, this annual event is staged because “all too often the focus is on Santa and a ‘holiday’ rather than Christ and a ‘Holy Day.'”

“Preparing for and performing the drive-through Nativity is one of the great joys of our congregation. Our fellowship before and after is only magnified by those cold, dark, still moments of reflection during the journey itself. It is the way we prepare ourselves, and hopefully our community, for the coming of Christ. From those who follow our “star” to the stable to those who have been told about us by a friend, we hope it becomes a part of many people’s holiday traditions,” the Rev. Jana Quisenberry said.

Each carload of spectators receives a colorful program that includes information about the living Nativity as well as the names of community donors.

For more information, contact the Journey to Bethlehem Committee of the United Christian Church at 724-938-2098.