With a collapsible stable, area actors, live farm animals and the Christmas story, local people hope to bring the true message of Christmas.
Now in its 12th year, the live nativity, hosted by Messiah and Balsamlund Lutheran churches, tells the story of the Jesus birth through narration and actors movement.
It begins at 10 a.m. Christmas Day at the Wadena Armory.
The hour-long worship centers on the nativity and includes stories, songs and prayer.
Its an alternative for Christmas Day to see the good news of Christmas, said the Rev. Del Moen, pastor of Messiah and Balsamlund Lutheran Churches.
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Playing Jesus will be a newborn baby, who is still to be found. Every year, nativity organizers look for a baby born slightly before Christmas. The babys parents play Mary and Joseph. The oldest baby was 3 months old, Moen said.
The nativity tells the stories of Elizabeth and Mary, the shepherds arrival, Mary and Josephs arrival, Herod hearing about the birth of a new king and a visit from the wise men.
None of the actors need to learn lines, but they will wear costumes and perform while the stories are narrated.
Joining the human actors is a cast of farm animals. Different farm animals are in the nativity every year. Animals that have been in the play include sheep, goats, cattle, chickens, rabbits and llamas.
Oftentimes, the rooster is the most noisy, Moen said.
The set consists of a stable thats assembled with parts from previous years stables.
Fresh straw is hauled into the location of the live nativity, along with the straw bales, on which the audience sits.
In some years, the nativity brought an audience of more than 300 people.
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Its a wonderful event with the community people involved, Moen said.
The living nativity is free and open to the public.
People who would like more information or know of a family with a newborn baby willing to play Mary, Joseph and Jesus, can call Moen at (218) 639-0305.
