Chris Nagg, Food Service Manager, presents a gift to Mary played by Laura Leppert and Joseph, played by John Roofner at Concordia Lutheran Ministries 6th Annual Live Nativity.

The three wise men will have to wait until next year.

Concordia Lutheran Ministries canceled its eighth annual live nativity. Organizers cited the increase in coronavirus cases across the county. The organization planned on holding nativity scenes with actors and animals at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. Dec. 13, in front of the Haven II building at 148 Marwood Road on the Concordia at Cabot campus. This year, it was planning on having people walk by to see the outside display, but on Monday it announced the decision to cancel the event completely.

“We felt it was the right thing to do, given the circumstances,” said Frank Skrip, the director of public relations for Concordia. “We thought if it was outside that would be safe, but with the numbers being what they are in the county area, we'd rather err on the side of caution.”

Skrip said they would hold something online instead, but they haven't settled on specifics.

This is a breaking news report — read more in Tuesday's Butler Eagle or subscribe online or in print.