In celebration of Christmas, the scene of the arrival of Jesus was recreated by St Christopher’s Episcopal Church, in Springfield, complete with living actors and barnyard animals.
The living nativity has become a pre-holiday tradition for the church. This was their seventh year, strengthening their nickname “the camel church”; a nod to its most recognized and favorite animal actor in the tableau.
Presentation of the living nativity harks back to Saint Francis of Assisi; the first to reenact the birth of Jesus, with a manger and animals, back in the year 1223. Nativities, along with Advent calendars, wreaths, candles, carols, cards and trees, help us prepare for the holiday season and Christmas Day, and serve as a reminder of the original story.
Nativity scenes are popular in homes, malls, and churches throughout the Christmas season, although most use figurines of Mary, Joseph, newborn Jesus, the three wise men and animals. St Christopher’s takes it a step farther, as church members take on roles of the principles, and animals from the Bar C Ranch of Berryville take on the parts of the stable animals, in the often retold Bible story. The stars of each year’s event, invariably, are baby Jesus and the camel.
The role of Jesus this year went to AJ Adams, backed by his parents, Bethany and Adam, as Mary and Joseph. This was AJ’s first year in the role, which often goes to one of the youngest church members. AJ perhaps would prefer casting as a bus driver, given his interests, but, of course, no such part was available. Other cast members included Norbert Hymels, Camilla Hicks, Mike Synder, and Chris Lane, repeating their roles. As veteran magi, actor Hymels shares, “There were no auditions. The costume fits me.” Moses, with his very friendly, smile-ready, dromedary ways, and very soft fur, led the cast of stable animals this year.
Reverend Carey Conners of St Christopher’s says of her congregation’s dedication to the annual event, “They love the neighborhood spirit and sharing the beautiful story, that is just joyous. Children walking into the story, in the neighborhood event, makes us incredibly happy, and we love giving away food, the music and community.”
The church members also support several other community efforts year-round. For example, volunteers knitted 93 scarves and 40 sock caps for nearby Crestwood Elementary School students; and provided meals for the school children during breaks and holidays. Their toy drive, conducted at the nativity event and through the wider holiday period supports ECHO and Second Story; both nearby help groups.
Four year old Rowe Grinsley, of Springfield, picks the camel as the best part of the event, even over hot dogs. Why? “It’s big.”
He also seems to have captured the mood of all the participants, saying, “It’s a fun event.”