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California Living
nativity scenes and drive-thru nativities
are delightful events free to the public.
In California there are many drive-through
or living nativities known in local
communities.
The
living nativity is a somewhat popular
church-sponsored event in California that
brings congregations outdoors into the
winter nights to perform re-enactments of
the birth of Jesus, baby of Joseph and Mary.
The most celebrated religious event in the
U.S., Christmas honors the birthday of
Jesus, and is only one of several days in
which most stores are closed, and businesses
provide employees with a holiday on December
25.
The
living nativity brings to life the stories
that surround this 2000-year old event that
continues to inspire adults, families and
children today. It is a community event that
offers participation to young and old who
dress in costumes presumed to be worn two
centuries ago. The participants of
nativities include angels, shepherds,
Wisemen, Caesar, Mary, Joseph and the manger
with a baby Jesus. Live animals are often
rented for urban displays and include
donkeys, sheep and lambs. Drive-by or
drive-through nativity scenes are probably
the most popular, though walking tours are
included at most outdoor nativities. In
addition to the living nativities, you'll
find miniature nativity collections made of
glass, wood, ceramics and clay that are
displayed around homes or in life-size
versions (usually made of molded plastic)
that are set in front of people's homes with
a floodlight shining to show each display at
night. When was the living nativity first
created?
BOULDER CREEK - Annual Drive-Through
Living Nativity
Each Christmas since 1991, Trinity Baptist
Church has shared this special gift with
visitors by recreating the story of the
birth of Jesus through a series of scenes
that tell the story using live characters
and animals. Guests view the scenes from the
comfort of their own cars while listening to
scene narratives through their car radios.
This sharing of the Good News typically
reaches more than 2,000 people each year.
Boulder Creek Community Church
12465 Highway 9 Office: 13090 Highway 9,
Boulder Creek, California
www.bccchurch.org
Phone: 831-338-3700
HUNTINGTON BEACH -
Drive Thru Nativity Pageant
First
Christian Church, 1207 Main St., Huntington
Beach, CA. (714) 536-2589 Dec. 5 -7,
2007
LIVERMORE - Live Drive-Through
Nativity
Trinity Baptist Church, 557 Olivina Ave
Livermore, CA 94551-6504
www.trinitylivermore.org
EL CAJON - El Cajon Church
A Drive-Through Nativity
Location: 1630 E. Madison Ave. Info:
619-444-0763.
CHINO - Drive-Through Nativity
Life Christian Fellowship
Drive through Bethlehem from the comfort of
your car on December 16th and 17th. From
5-10 pm watch nine scenes from the Christmas
Story come to life at LIFE Christian
Fellowship. This annual event, featuring
live performers and animals, helps to remind
thousands throughout Southern Californians
of Christmas' true meaning.
5171 Edison Ave. Ste. F
Chino, CA 91710, Call: (909) 287-5433.
www.lifechristianfellowship.com
OCEANSIDE - Live Nativity - Scenes
portraying the Nativity using live
Character. Presented by the Del Oro Hills
Community Church. Call: (760) 947-3200.
Time: 5pm - 9:30pm. Location: Martin Luther
King Jr. Park
MOORPARK - Live Nativity
Westminster Presbyterian Church presents
drive through "The Bethlehem Experience,"
recreation of 1st century village. Live
animals, costumed actors, Hebrew music,
marketplace.
3211 Watergate Road, Westlake Village. Free.
(818) 889-1491, (805) 496-2394.
MOORPARK - Drive-through living
nativity
Faith Lutheran in Moorpark, CA
Faith Lutheran Church
123 Park Lane, Moorpark. Call: (805)
532-1049. www.faithmoorpark.com
NEVADA CITY - Downtown Living
Nativity during Victorian Christmas.
Ring in the Christmas holiday with an
old-fashioned street fair with crafts, foods
from local restaurants and specialty shops.
Carolers and children’s choirs, bagpipers, a
living nativity scene, and a walking
Christmas tree. Location: Downtown Nevada
City. nevadacitychamber.com
SALINAS -
Streets of Bethlehem
Annual
Christmas event in Salinas is sponsored by
First Baptist Church of Salinas. Rediscover
the reason for the Christmas season. See
shopkeepers, pet the animals, walk with
Mary, Joseph and a cast of 300. Hear the
Christmas music. Come walk on the streets of
Bethlehem. Location: First Baptist Church of
Salinas. Address: 1130 San Vincente Ave.,
Salinas, CA. Call:
(831) 422-9872.
1stbaptist.net
SANTA ROSA -
Drive-Through Live
Nativity Dec. 14 & 15, 2007
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
This holiday season you can experience the
joy of the first Christmas by bringing the
whole family to the Drive-Through Live
Nativity at the Santa Rosa Adventist Church.
More than 100 costumed actors will portray
scenes from the life of Christ, from His
birth in Bethlehem to His resurrection and
soon return. This annual event is free and
everyone is invited to witness the true
meaning of Christmas. A taped narration
describing each scene in the nine
mini-theatres tells the story as you sit in
the warmth and the comfort of your car and
drive through the live nativity. Listen to
carols of the season and instrumental
classics performed by a variety of artists.
www.santarosasda.org
Drive-Through Live Nativity at Santa Rosa
Adventist Church
840 Sonoma Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4715
Phone: 707-578-8883
The first living nativity was created by
St. Francis of Assisi in 1223
A manger scene is the primary decoration in
many European, Central American, and South
American countries. St. Francis of Assisi
created the first living nativity in 1224 to
help explain the birth of Jesus to his
followers.
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