Following the gold stars into Immanuel Lutheran Church, people began their journey to Bethlehem.
Six stations were set up inside the Seymour church Friday and Saturday night for the third annual live Nativity.
They included the annunciation featuring Mary and Gabriel, Joseph’s dream featuring Joseph and Gabriel, census declared featuring a Roman guard, there is no room featuring an innkeeper, Magi from the East featuring three Wise Men and glory to God in the highest featuring angels and those on the walk.
After taking a break for hot chocolate and cookies, visitors stepped outside for the seventh and final station: The live Nativity featuring four live animals, shepherds, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
What has become an Immanuel tradition has been led by the church’s vicar each year.
Nick Wagenknecht has been the vicar since Aug. 1, and he said while on vicarage, he has to do an evangelism project. Some churches have repeating projects, and Immanuel’s evangelism committee decided three years ago to have the vicar put a lot of focus on the live Nativity.
The inaugural event allowed visitors to check out the Nativity on their own, but it changed to a drive-thru event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year with some COVID restrictions still in place, the church chose to create the stations and have small groups go on one walk at a time.
No matter how the live Nativity is done, the message remains the same: For people to understand the true meaning of Christmas.
“With this, we wanted to be two nights where people could just come together as a family, all generations can come and enjoy it,” Wagenknecht said.
As attendees listened to the Christmas story, they also had a chance to be involved in the presentation.
They joined in the singing of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Paul Scheiderer, the church’s music director, played piano for the latter song while kids led the singing.
They also wrote their name and age on a piece of paper after the Roman soldier explained the census ordered by Caesar Augustus while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
To make the live Nativity a success, Wagenknecht said nearly 60 church members volunteered throughout the two days.
“It has been a joy,” he said. “I’m really glad that it was able to come together, and we’re having a really good time.”
On Friday night, Sam and Shelby Borcherding were among those portraying Joseph and Mary at the end of the walk.
They accepted the vicar’s invitation to the congregation to participate.
“Any way to spread some Christmas cheer and the reason for Christmas,” Shelby said.
Sam said it’s an important outreach for the church.
“It’s a good way just to invite the community,” he said. “That has been a big goal, I think, this past year is trying to invite people who maybe don’t attend regularly or are not members and get the community involved.”
Shelby said it was fun to be involved and meet other members of the church and community.
Kayla and Ben Thompson and their daughter, Harper Thompson, 5, enjoyed one of the walks led by Wagenknecht on Friday night.
“We’re members and it’s something that they’ve had in years past, so we’re happy to have the opportunity to see the story of Christmas and have it told here at the church,” Ben said.
“It’s nice visually (for Harper),” Kayla said. “It brings everything to life and is just good preparing for Christmas. We enjoy that.”
The Thompsons liked how the live Nativity was available to church members and the community.
“Any time we can come to church outside of normal church, we want it to feel like home. That’s always very important,” Kayla said. “We like to see other people outside of just direct members.”
Even at her young age, Harper knew the meaning of the live Nativity and shared her favorite part.
”Seeing baby Jesus,” she said, smiling.