Indianapolis resident Jose Lusende can barely contain his excitement over a special event coming this weekend.
After all, how often do people today get to travel back in time to the days of Roman occupied Israel, when Jesus Christ was born?
Well, Lusende’s congregation, Abundant Life Church, cannot do that literally. However, it is offering its annual “Every Nation, Rejoice: Christmas Spectacular,” which will include a musical, songs from a diverse choir, African dance to a special arrangement of “Sing Noel” and a live nativity reenactment of Christ’s birth.
“We invite the entire community to bring their family and come celebrate with us and rejoice over our Lord and savior,” said Peter Bosworth, pastor of Abundant Life. “We know this will be an unforgettable experience and will present Christmas in a fresh way to people who have never experienced this before.”
Taking place this Saturday and Sunday, the live nativity will feature real animals, including a camel, goats, sheep and a donkey, along with authentic attire and a realistic setting.
“This will truly be an incredible Christmas event,” said Lusende, who is originally from Africa. “Even when I lived there, I never saw a Christmas musical with live animals.”
Abundant Life is just one of many churches that host nativity reenactments every year, although only a few of them are actually able to present live nativities.
“Those events can get kind of expensive unless there are donors, and you have to make sure there are enough volunteers to pull it off,” said Arthur Farnsley II, associate director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture, located on the campus of IUPUI. Farnsley remembers seeing live nativity programs at a church he once attended in Columbus, Ind. As the economy took a turn for the worst the congregation, like many churches, decided that resources used to present a live nativity could be better spent on directly helping those in need.
Still, Farnsley noted, churches that continue to have live nativity programs are serving a good purpose.
“People like the reality of a live nativity,” Farnsley said. “They like it to be something where they can actually imagine what life was like during the era when a particular event took place. The event feels more current to them, and not just historical.”
Farnsley added that the live nativity program has become a staple event in the Christian community, along with Easter activities such as reenactments of the Last Supper (as depicted in Leonardo DaVinci’s famous painting), and Passion plays, which depict the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
In fact, participation in live nativity programs has grown beyond churches and also includes institutions such as hospitals and community organizations.
Nativity reenactments sponsored by St. Vincent and St. Francis hospitals, for example, have become well known over the last decade. Unfortunately, after five decades St. Francis held the annual nativity program at its Beech Grove facility for the last time last week. The Beech Grove facility is scheduled for closure in mid-March 2012.
“It’s been an important piece of our history,” said Shirley Fox, mission coordinator for the hospital’s Service Excellence Department which helps coordinate the annual event. “The chapel is filled with employees and their family members and hospital retirees, most of whom have met earlier at their annual Christmas dinner.”
Fox said the live nativity will probably be moved to St. Francis’ Indianapolis campus.
Epworth United Methodist Church, located on the city’s near Northside, will have its own outdoor nativity this coming Friday and Saturday.
“Telling this story with live characters actually takes it off the pages and makes it real,” said Rev. Bill Hoopes, pastor of Epworth. “We think it’s a great way to enjoy Christmas and experience Christ in a new way.”
Experience it firsthand
A Christmas
Spectacular
Saturday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Abundant Life Church, 7606 E.82nd St.
(317) 845-4900
* * * * *
Live Outdoor
Nativity
Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m.
Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Rd.
(317) 251-1481
Admission to both events is free, but arrive early to ensure a seat and see animals up close.
