Emanuel Church to hold 40th Live Nativity Scene
Live Nativity Scene in a previous year. Photo courtesy of Emanuel Church.
This Christmas season will mark the 40th year that Emanuel Church will hold its Live Nativity and they invite the community to join them Tuesday December 20 and Wednesday December 21 from 7 to 9 pm in the Courtyard between church and fellowship hall located at 324 West Main Street.
Emanuel's monthly newsletter the Ark in December 2011, told the history of the live nativity in honor of its 35th year, beginning with then Pastor Joseph Wise’s dream of recreating the live nativity scene at his home church in Landis, North Carolina, which inspired him as a child, and the year of work by the congregation that went into the event.
From the Ark, Dec. 2011:
“Throughout the year of 1976 Pastor Wise coordinated all aspects of the Live Nativity production. By fall, there was feverish activity on all fronts. Contractor-carpenter Norm Walz erected the stable and manger while Stan Maurer made the necessary electrical connections. Local farmers provided fencing for the animal enclosure and volunteered to furnish an assortment of animals to add authenticity to the scene. The Women’s Guild worked two to three days a week for many weeks creating costumes out of bed sheets and odd remnants of fabric. The Jenter Funeral Home donated old brocaded draperies that were used to clothe the Wise Men.
In December, lists of volunteers were prepared to fill the roles of the Holy Family, Shepherds, Wise Men and Angels. Kitchen crews were assembled to provide hot drinks and cookies to warm the rotating cast of characters coming in from fifteen minute stints in the cold winter air. Emanuel’s Choir prepared a large repertoire of Christmas carols to accompany the otherwise silent pageant.
All of the planning and hard work paid off. For four nights the inhabitants of Manchester were thrilled and inspired by the joy and wonder of the Live Nativity Scene.”
The history goes on to include the snags and mishaps, like rain and sleet, cancellation due to below zero temperatures, and in 1977 when a donkey escaped his pen and spent several hours roaming around the streets of Manchester before he could be captured and returned. It has had its upgrades as well, with the current Live Nativity set constructed by church member Sutton Jacobs as an Eagle Scout Project in 2015. For 40 years, even when things don’t quite go as planned, Emanuel Church has invited the community to come join them for their Live Nativity Scene. This is one of Manchester’s special Christmas traditions that shouldn’t be missed.
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