COAL GROVE — One local church in Coal Grove will take a trip back in time, about 2,000 years, to Bethlehem to revisit a silent, holy night.

Zoar Baptist Church has been preparing for its annual outdoor live nativity drama and, as Pastor Jim Beals said, will be ready to go if the weather holds out.

The free program will begin at 7 p.m. and run from Wednesday through Saturday. The church will offer hot chocolate as well.

Beals said the live nativity would feature scenes from the Christmas story beginning with the angel Gabriel telling Mary that she would give birth to the savior.

Actors portraying a mother and father will read the story of Jesus’ birth as the scenes come alive.

Beals said there would even be a little drummer boy to play for the newborn Jesus.

For the past 15 years, Zoar Baptist Church has put on the outdoor production and Beals said it is an important tradition to keep up.

“I think as we see more and more around us, the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ, is being suppressed,” he said.

This year’s production will include efforts of around 75 people, from actors to stagehands. There will also be live donkeys, sheep and cattle for the manger scene.

Beals said the church usually sees around 600 to 700 people during the week of the live nativity.

“I think it’s unique for our little church,” Beals said. “I’ve had a lot of great comments.”

Beals said the program should last around 45 minutes.

He also said that ice, rain or heavy snowfall would cancel a performance. The show would go on despite flurries, he said.

“I’m just praying that the weather holds out,” he said.

Zoar Baptist church is located at 1009 Marion Pike in Coal Grove.