In what has become a Christmastime community tradition for more than 20 years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lacombe is hosting a free live nativity pageant and indoor creche display Dec. 12-14.
Times for each evening performance are 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Lacombe chapel.
There is no charge to attend, and refreshments including home-baked Christmas treats, apple cider and hot chocolate will be provided.
The church welcomes community members to watch the live reenactment of the birth of Christ and invites them to warm up inside while taking in the creche (nativity scenes) display from all over the world.
It’s a big event that takes a lot of people to put on, and the church wants Central Albertans to know they are invited to take part.
“We do a lot of planning - and luckily we have some veterans who have done it many times, too," said Tiffany Lynn, who is looking after the event's advertising this year.
"I would say we start talking about it in October, and we have people in charge of different parts such as the advertising, the production of the nativity, and then also the creche displays inside, and the food," she said. "A lot of people come together to make it happen!"
For the nativity itself, between 20 and 30 take part. And then beyond that, many more lend a helping hand in numerous ways as well.
For Lynn, who has attended the church for most of her life, seeing the church host the event provides a means of really connecting to the community.
"It's the nostalgia and the tradition," she said. "I also ove that it's a community event. It's something we really put our hearts into to put out for our community, and I love to see the new faces there.
"Most of all, i love that it re-centres us on the true meaning of Christmas which is celebrating the saviour's birth."
As mentioned, the selection of creches is a striking display of creativity as well. Lynn estimated there are typically about 75 on display year by year.
"I want people to feel that special Christmas spirit that can only come from centering it on Jesus' birth."
For more about the live nativity event, call the church office at:403-782-7396.
