A Christmas Eve Tradition | Video

Cliff Naylor | 12/24/2012

The animals arrive in a stock trailer during the dead of night. It`s usually cold, but the donkey, a calf and several sheep seem to don`t mind. While the animals are unloaded and penned up, dozens of amateur actors head to wardrobe to dress for the occasion. In 1950 Zion Lutheran Church began presenting a "live" Nativity scene for the public and families have members who have participated almost from the beginning.

"Our family has participated going back generations, so it`s kind of a Christmas tradition for us and I have family members coming in from out of town to participate," said Colleen Weltz.

Members of the congregation shiver in the cold and donate their time because this production is something they believe in with all their hearts.

"I just enjoy showing people what it was like during the first Nativity, using real people and real animals," said Kristin Nistler.

The children are all in too.

"I like to help spread the Gospel of Jesus," said Jacob Nistler.

People who drive by to witness the "live" Nativity can tune their radios to a recording of the Gospel of Luke which narrates what happened in the little town of Bethlehem and changed the world.

This one act play never seems to get old and there are no plans to end its run anytime soon.

This year Zion Lutheran opened up auditions for the cast of Christmas characters to the public, so anyone who wanted to dress up could stand watch over the Christ Child.

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