Church celebrates Christmas with Nativity scene

Published 12:35 am Sunday, December 15, 2013

 

COAL GROVE — Zoar Baptist Church will be wrapping up its 2013 live Nativity scene with one final performance tonight at 7 p.m.

The first presentation of the scene was Thursday night, and pastor Jim Beals says that the purpose of the performances is to remind people of Christmas’ true meaning.

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“Sometimes we get too wrapped up in the other aspects of the holiday that we forget its intended purpose,” Beals said. “That purpose is Christ and we just want to revitalize that message and share it with as many people as we can.”

The scene begins with a family gathered in a living room where a child asks his father to tell him the story of Christmas. His father begins to recount the story of Jesus’ birth, a story Beals says he hopes resonates with the audience.

“It’s such a powerful story,” Beals said. “Again we just want to remind people about our wonderful Lord and savior Jesus Christ, remind them that this season is about him. So hopefully that’s the message they’ll take away.”

Beals also said the Nativity scene is a large production that requires the work of about 60 volunteers from the church and includes live animals.

“The whole thing last about 45 minutes,” Beals said. “We’ve had so many people who have put in hard work to make this possible. Our manger is about 30 feet long, and the scene includes real livestock.”