At Nixon United Methodist Church in Butler, the live llama always wants to eat the baby Jesus doll.

This year, the Rev. Peter Nordby had to quietly steal a doll from his 3-year-old daughter so the scene at Butler's Trinity Lutheran Church would have a baby Jesus.

At Valencia United Methodist Church, the shepherds had to interrupt their solemn watch over baby Jesus a few years ago, using their staffs to drain rainwater from the tarp over their heads.

There are plenty of secular moments that occur behind the scenes at live Nativities, but most still agree participating is the best way to enjoy a spiritual Christmas.

"It's humbling for people when they stand there for 2½ hours," said Jean Charleton of Valencia U.M. "It really hits them. Maybe not the drive-by people, but people who stand there really get it."

The church members normally set up their Nativity scene on the corner of Hays and Almira streets in Valencia, but had to cancel the fifth annual event on Sunday due to extra-cold weather. Wind chill warnings convinced church members to call it off, said Charleton.

As in past years, volunteers decorated the scenery and even made the animals this year.

"We had live llamas one year but now use fake sheep covered with cotton balls and a cow made of plywood," she said.

Volunteers usually keep a steady supply of hot chocolate for the actors who hide their cups when cars drive by, according to Charleton. As with most of the churches, costumes leave plenty of room for warm clothing underneath.

At Harrisville United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jeff St. Clair said there are plenty of portable heaters behind the scenes. Like other local churches, his uses a baby doll for baby Jesus. None subject young children to the elements.

"We used my 1-month-old daughter for the picture last year, but a baby doll for outside," he added.

Harrisville's Nativity is only two years old but grew by five new scenes this year.

"This year we have a lot more interest," he said. "We have 80 percent of the church members participating."Teens help make the live Nativity a success at Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler, according to Nordby. About 20 students from grades seven through 12 did most of the work this year, he said."Kids are so eager to help," he said. "They feel it's part of their ministry to participate."A speaker system is used for narrating the Christmas story, students act out the scenes and the evening concludes with singing, he said.The Rev. Keith Dunn of Butler's Nixon United Methodist Church said church members between the ages of 5 and 65 participate in the live Nativity. The event includes nine scenes, depicting the story fromCaesarsitting on his throne to the birth of Jesus.Live animals complete the scenes, rented from Mr. Bill's Petting Zoo in Elizabeth, said Dunn. Other than one year when someone tried to free the animals before the performance, the crew only faces a few challenges each year."The llama always wants to eat the baby Jesus doll," he said. "The two donkeys want to stay together. They would bay at each other the whole time if we separated them."The church asks for donations to Butler's food bank for those who drive by the Nativity. Luminaries lead them there, with hundreds placed all around the church and surrounding streets."We've had nothing but positive reactions," he said. "People say how beautiful it is each year."These Nativities have completed their displays for the year, but plan to participate again next year.