The Meridian Church celebrated the 10th anniversary of their "Live Nativity" on Dec. 15 and 16, 2006. To celebrate this milestone, actors played out the "Story of Jesus' Birth" during a guided walk through Bethlehem held in the parking lot of their new church.
Ten years ago, four junior-age girls wanted to give a gift to the Meridian community. As they talked about what they might do, the Christmas season was fast approaching. They decided to bring the "Birth of Jesus" to Meridian with a drive-through nativity.
From its meager beginnings of a single manger scene with a homemade stuffed camel in 1997, the live nativity has grown to 13 scenes and a real, live camel in 2006. It takes the efforts of 70 to 80 people to bring Bethlehem and the nativity to life.
The nativity will return to its former drive-through/walk-through format in 2007 to better accomodate those who have difficulty walking in the cold. Plans are already being made for its Dec. 8 and 9 return.
Clyde the camel visits with some of the people who came to see the nativity.
Mary and Joseph visiting with some shepards in the manger scene.
This was our first manger scene in 1997.
A stuffed camel was made by Chris Schaffer for the first "live" nativity.
