Just a couple miles outside Bridgeport, a scene is developing which will transport visitors to Bethlehem of Judea more than 2,000 years ago.

Middleville Baptist Church will host its annual Live Nativity 6-8 p.m. today and Sunday. Those driving through will see a series of scenes unfold, telling the Christmas story.

 

“We have all the scenes with scriptures, starting with Mary and the angel,” said Pastor Paul Boyles. “Caesar Augustus is in the next scene, then Mary and Joseph traveling on a donkey. The next scene is the inn – where there was no room - and then the shepherds and the angel. Next are the wise men, Mary and Joseph and a manger built of rough-cut lumber, with Baby Jesus in there.”

 

Setting up the scenes includes carpentry work, landscaping and the gathering of area farms animals, including sheep, goats, cows, horses and donkeys –  specifically, “Jerusalem donkeys.”

 

“They have a line that stretches from their tail down their back to their shoulders. As you look at them, it’s a cross,” Boyles said.

 

Members of the church congregation, which average about 50 for Sunday morning worship, have paid close attention to every detail.

 

“This is an outreach to our community and to reveal the true meaning of Christmas,” Boyles said. “We like to do it early enough each year so it will be fresh in the minds of people as they approach Christmas.”

 

With the help of other volunteers – some from other churches – Middleville Baptist Church has hosted the live nativity for 12 years.

 

It was congregation members Gina Sharps and her mother-in-law Donna Sharps who brought the idea to Pastor Paul back in 2001.

 

“Gina’s parents are ministers and had done this several times at their church,” said Donna Sharps. “My son Craig said our church driveway was ideal – that people could drive straight through and see the scenes.”

 

The church had a number of other resources which served the outreach, too.

 

“We had several guys from Joseph’s Nursery who came to church here, so they provided the pine and grasses so we could make it look like Bethlehem in the old days,” Boyles said. “And we began working together as a church to build the backdrops.”

 

Also members of Middleville Baptist Church are Gary and Pam Cooper, owners of “Wedding Wings” dove releases. That added a nice touch, too.

 

Through the years, the live nativity has grown as scenes have been added – and switched up a little.

 

“You can’t change the story, of course, but we try to change and add a little bit each year,” Boyles said.

 

The set up crew has been busy since yesterday morning. By 6 p.m. today, those portraying roles and working behind the scenes will be in place – regardless of the weather.

 

“We stand in the cold and in the rain. Unless the roads are frozen and there’s danger of accidents, we’ll be there,” Boyles said. “We’re West Virginians. We can do it.”

 

Each year, the church receives many positive comments about the live nativity, but members say they are blessed year after year, as well.

 

“What really thrills us is when parents and their children go by and they are reading the scriptures as they go through the scenes,” Boyles said. “And we love seeing the kids’ eyes and faces lighting up when they come through and see the live animals and the angels hanging in the air.”

 

Directions to Middleville Baptist Church are on the invitation below: