Oakwood Church in Becker featured their sixth annual Journey to Bethlehem live nativity this week in the parking lot of Becker Furniture World.
Pastor Gerry Bass and his host of congregants braved the elements — though the weather was rather mild this year. Each year they do this, not to promote their church, but to remind people the true reason for the season.
“We don’t do this to bring attention to our church,” said Bass. “We do this to bring attention to Jesus.”
The drive-thru nativity has grown through the years and is free of charge. Guests enter a gate from the comfort of their own vehicles, slowly inch ahead to each station of actors and Biblical characters, until they reach the end where Bass has several children portraying Joseph, Mary and the angels.
The 10 stations depict the days leading up to Jesus’ birth and they include greeters, Roman guards, a census taker, Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, the marketplace, angels and shepherds, King Herod, the inn keeper, wise men and the manger.
The “actors” in costume entertain and educate people on what the Bible teaches about God becoming man over 2,000 years ago.
The drive-thru takes less than five minutes and also features a crowd favorite, Emmit — a live donkey. Bass said this year there were so many congregants that wanted to participate that he had to designate the main characters, then fill out the rest of the scenes with extra guards, shepherds and angels.
The drive-thru visitors are given candy canes with a poignant message at the end of the stages and are also invited to gather at the church just a few yards away to warm up with delicious refreshments of hot cocoa, coffee and cookies in the church.
With the continued success of the Journey to Bethlehem live nativity event, Pastor Bass is sure it’ll be around next year and may include some fresh ideas and new characters.
“I had a conversation with a man who asked if we needed a camel for the event and I said, ‘sure.’” said Bass. “So next year we’ll see what happens. We just make the whole scene bigger and better.”
Doing it all in the name of the one whose birthday they celebrate this time of year.
Jesus.
