Churches stage live scenes
HARRISVILLE — The story of Jesus' birth will come to life at live nativity scenes as communities prepare for Christmas and celebrate its deeper meaning.
Janet Pratt of Polk, a volunteer at Harrisville United Methodist Church, came up with the idea for a live nativity scene along with her husband, Mike, and another couple. This is the seventh year the congregation has held the event, which will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday behind the church on South Main Street.
"I helped do the children's Christmas play here and we did that for many years, and we were looking for something new and fresh to do at Christmas," Pratt said. "My husband and I had visited other live Nativities but there was nothing close. We all got together and got it going."
Pratt said she wanted an outlet to tell the true story of Christmas and share it with the community in a different way than it had been done before.
"We just wanted to get the word out as an outreach to the community and a ministry to the community," she said.
The live Nativity scene in Harrisville started with about 60 volunteers who dressed as shepherds, wise men and Mary and Joseph and has had as many as 80 people participating.
A family scene has been added over the years, which includes two adults and two children in front of a fireplace, while another scene has been added which shows Jesus in heaven at the end, acting as a calling to people to make a commitment to Christ. There are 10 stations total along two blocks behind the church.
Pratt said propane heaters are at every station to help keep volunteers warm, but they are switched out with others every so often so no one gets too cold. She said the ultimate goal of holding the live Nativity scene is to reach out to those who do not attend church.
"The Methodist Church does studies every year and about 70 percent of Harrisville is unchurched," Pratt said. "When you look at the larger statistics, there are so many people who do not attend church at all and it's disappointing. We are trying to let people know they need to make a choice."
Members of the church donate animals for the two nights, including a donkey, llamas and, this year, chickens. As many as 700 cars have driven through to look at the scenes on a given night.
To prepare, Pratt said she prays.
"We pray diligently that the family of the church will support it because it takes so many people to support it, and that people in the community will come to experience the true meaning of Christmas," Pratt said. "That's the primary focus."
Pratt also said the volunteers take away valuable experiences from the displays.
"I think what happens is that everyone has such a good time when they get together," Pratt said. "It's young and old from the babies to the old folks, there is a job for everybody. Some people can make hot chocolate or watch the little ones, so everyone is involved and there is a lot of laughter and a lot of joy. That's what brings them in. It's good fellowship."
Nixon United Methodist Church
Bruce Merritt, pastor of Nixon United Methodist Church in Penn Township, said his congregation has about 50 people involved in nine different scenes. Donkeys, sheep, a llama and a goat are all donated for the event from Mr. Bill's Petting Zoo.
"It brings to life the Christmas story and makes it real I think for people to actually see it three dimensionally rather than just hearing the words," Merritt said.
The scenes at the live Nativity include the classic manger scene, angels and the shepherds. This is the 11th year the church has held the event on church grounds.
Merritt said last year, about 200 cars drove through to see the characters.
"I want people to take away a better understanding of the true meaning of the Christmas season and the birth of Christ," he said.
The drive-through Nativity scene at Nixon United Methodist Church will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 334 Airport Road.
