Article about Nativity

Christmas seen and heard around town
By Renee Caldwell(Created: Thursday, December 14, 2006 12:52 PM CST)


The weather outside may not be frightful, but local celebrations will be delightful. Button Memorial United Methodist Church will be transformed into a virtual Bethlehem on Saturday and Sunday as it hosts its Seventh Annual Live Nativity and Bethlehem Marketplace.The free events begin at 5:30 p.m. both evenings with the Bethlehem Marketplace, a visual account of Bethlehem in the time of Jesus' birth. Live Nativity performances begin at 6 p.m. and will be staged every half hour until the event closes at 9 p.m.Visitors can behold the birth of Christ in a live nativity performance that boasts a cast and crew of 125 with the theme "Finally Believe." Three camels along with horses and sheep will add to the authentic feel of the scene.When not viewing the nativity, visitors can get a hands-on feel of the crafts and trades of biblical times.Booth merchants will aid guests in making beeswax, clay lanterns, honey, and jewelry. Visitors also may learn how to weave baskets and make goat cheese, get their hair braided, and play dreidel games.Every booth operator researches his or her subject and what it would be like in biblical times, so they can teach that craft or trade, organizer Kristy Vivian said.A Masonic Jew will share his own ministry, write blessings for people, and read from the Torah in Hebrew. The church has added a dancer room and snake charmer area to the marketplace.Between nativity presentations, Chris Thomas and Encore Dance Studio will perform Saturday and Creative Spirits for Christ will perform Sunday.

Vivian, marketplace coordinator Royanna Chappell, and costume designer Ginger Hansen and scores of volunteers have devoted much of the last six months to see the nativity expand not only in scope but in reach."It's been a joy. I hope that it grows and grows and grows," Vivian said, noting that Oak Grove United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church Little Elm, and Living Word Baptist Church members have pitched in on the production."... we want to make sure that when people come to our nativity that they know it's a community event, and that it's not just one church's perspective of the gospel. It's a community of Christian believers' perspective," Vivian said.

She said she has been amazed by the spirit of people wanting to participate in this year's event.A woman with Multiple Sclerosis who has volunteered in past nativities to hold the baby for various mothers said she wanted to be in the nativity this year. The woman uses a wheelchair, so costume designers made a shepherd's costume that covers the wheelchair.

Inspiration has come from all areas, including the new movie, "The Nativity Story.""Ginger was so inspired by the movie, she went home and made six costumes that night," Vivian said. "We're trying to grab the best of the best and incorporate it here in Little Elm."For information or to view pictures from previous years' events, visit www.livenativity.org.