From left, Emma Niklewicz and Nick and Olivia Claus work on decorating manger scene figures in the basement of St. John Lutheran Church in Mars. The church will stage a combination Christmas play and activity where young audience members can create and decorate a manger scene between acts Dec. 2.

MARS — The members of St. John Lutheran Church in Mars are trying to drive the Christmas message home to children. That's why the church has come up with a way children can physically take that message home with them.

Called “Keepsake Christmas: Making Memories at the Manger,” the two-part effort consists of a Dec. 2 Christmas play whose acts are separated by a chance for their young audience to build its own manger scenes.

Denise Hager of Mars, the church council president and Sunday school teacher, said, “It's a play. There will be a stage. There will be scenery. There will be two viewings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.”

St. John Pastor Bob Zimmerman said, “It's a play and it's an activity.”

“They will make a manger scene between scenes of the play,” said Hager.

“Once Joseph comes on and does his spiel, they will make a Joseph.

“Once Mary does her lines, they will build a Mary,” said Hager.

The manger kits, which include wooden Mary, Joseph, Jesus and angel figures allow the young audience members to decorate and dress the figures between the play's acts.