House of worship to hold live Nativity scene on Dec. 14
There’s an old showbiz adage that states, “never work with children or animals.” W.C. Fields would be shocked to find out that, outside First Baptist Church on the evening Dec. 14, kids and animals will be the main attraction in a live Nativity scene. There will be two stagings, the first at 7 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m.
“The concept was to have a spiritual presence along Kings Highway amidst the shoppers and the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. As the years went on, we wanted to do more to involve the community to celebrate the birth of Christ,” said Sandra Mezger, founder of the church’s historical committee.
“A concept began to be discussed in what was then called the Evangelism Committee, to have a live Nativity. We went back and forth on it ‘should it be in the back in the parking lot so people could drive through, or should it be in the front’ and the idea presented itself, why not use the stable that’s already there because it’s big enough for children to fit inside?”
Children of the church were asked if they would like to be involved in a living Nativity, which they all were happy to do. The committee created the costumes for them to wear, age appropriate for the time, and also according to the biblical story. That was the way the Nativity scene was conducted for a number of years, starting in 1997, before Mezger thought it would be a nice touch to add the sacredness of animals of the manger.
“So we got on the internet when it was fairly new, and searched for somebody who owned a farm, who would be willing to bring their animals to us. And we found the perfect person nearby who had a farm and delivers the animals to us every year. We have not a camel, but a llama, we have a donkey, and we have two sheep. They are well behaved and entertaining for the children,” she said.
The original stable was constructed in the 1940s by members of First Baptist’s Triangle class, a large group of mostly young couples, led by Lester Stuart. Dennis Wood, a member of First Baptist, helmed the project to replace the original, which was completed as his Eagle Scout project, back in 2009.
The Nativity scene itself, with all the pertinent figurines, is put in place by devotees of the church during the Thanksgiving weekend and taken down after the turn of the new year. Regrettably, this serene tableau doesn’t touch the heartstrings of all who encounter it. Mezger worries in particular about the Jesus figurine, which has disappeared on more than one occasion — one year having been found shattered in the middle of Kings Highway.
All children who wish to participate will be able to, because the Nativity scene includes the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph, the Three Wise Men, as well as the shepherds, so there should be plenty of room for all. Mezger said the church has seen up to 25 children participate in certain years.
Each year, the live Nativity holds two practices before the main event. This year, following the cookie bake on Saturday, Dec. 8, there will be a practice session. Mezger said this is done so that there’s a solid base of children who know what to do, and in case anyone else should come later on, they’ll follow the children who have already practiced.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Feicht served as pastor at First Baptist for the last 27 years, but recently retired. That has left a void for this year’s Nativity scene director as Feicht was instrumental in getting the children and animals to co-exist in such a small space, but it doesn’t mean the show won’t go on.
“It just brings an emotional contact on the street, that night, beyond description. We even had the town Santa Claus come one night and pray in front of the stable. It has really become a community event,” Mezger added. “I wish we had more room for viewing, but it is busy and tight and everyone enjoys it and is so appreciative of what we do. We get many letters after the event thanking us, since we bring the true reason for the season to them.”
Before the first re-enactment of the Nativity, First Baptist will hold a mini-handbell concert on the steps of the church. In between the two performances, they will ring out again. For more information, contact Mezger at (856) 429–2326 or visit www.firstbaptisthaddonfield.org.
