SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — While most people are used to a nativity scene that can fit on an end table, the Southern Hills United Methodist Church puts on a life-size nativity, featuring real people.
“We depict the story of Jesus. We tell the scenes of how he came into the world from Mary and Joseph, riding on the donkey, to the angels announcing the birth of Jesus, the shepherds in the field, and of course, the nativity scene, the birth of Jesus,” Pastor Don Vanderlip said.
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Along with the people, live animals are also featured in the scenes.
“We know that that was a place where animals slept and defecated and ate. And that’s where the savior of the world was born. There were donkeys, horses, cows, goats, sheep, all of the above chickens. And we’re going to have all those animals to view, including camels as well,” Vanderlip said.
The living nativity is in its 29th year, and has volunteers who are new and seasoned helping out.
“What I will do this year, I’m a shepherd, so I’m in costume right now. In years past, I’ve been Shepherd, Wiseman, Joseph,” shepherd Mike Fuhs said.
“This is going to be our first year volunteering and we’ve been to it before and it’s a great experience when we got to go through it and visit and we want to be part of that,” volunteer Joe Peterson said.
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To help give people a closer look at what happened that night over 2,000 years ago.
“It gives the kids that come and adults to come a chance to to walk through these scenes and to talk about, oh, they have these animals back then. And this is it’s cold outside. It would have been cold when Jesus was born. And it’s it’s one of those interactive things where you place your mind back 2000 years ago,” Vanderlip said.
And while it is supposed to be a warmer day on Saturday, one of the shepherds has a smart idea to stay warm.
“I like hanging out by the sheep because if your hands get cold, you put your hands in their wool,” Fuhs said.
The living nativity is taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. this Saturday.
Click here for more information on the Living Nativity.
