In 2008, our area church leaders encouraged our Jupiter-PB Gardens congregation to become more involved with the community. It wasn't meant as a conversion effort: Public Affairs for the LDS Church works with good people in neighborhoods, other churches, and government in any good cause. It's important work for any Christian, but we are just now organizing larger efforts in service and interfaith relationships.
One thing we chose to do was to take advantage of our beautiful Florida winter weather, and hold our Christmas celebrations outside. Our church building sits on several acres of fields, perfect for a little Nativity play with animals and room to run. We looked at other successful events across the country. After inviting all area churches and local residents to join us, and the Nativity Experience was born.
In 2008 we built a little "City of Bethlehem" where you could dress up
like a first-century Hebrew, eat flatbread and dates, learn about frankincense, kids could roll in the hay and pet the animals, and a dozen other things. After we performed a 20-minute pageant narrated from Matthew and Luke. Many of our members painted, built, and donated a lot of themselves to provide this free event for the city.
like a first-century Hebrew, eat flatbread and dates, learn about frankincense, kids could roll in the hay and pet the animals, and a dozen other things. After we performed a 20-minute pageant narrated from Matthew and Luke. Many of our members painted, built, and donated a lot of themselves to provide this free event for the city.
In 2009 we improved the signs and lighting, and added a stage for live music performances while people browsed through "Bethlehem". Music about Jesus Christ's birth sweetly floated out from a children's choir, violinists, a women's group, a pianist, and soloists, including a fabulous singer from Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. We also built a small Hebrew home replica, in which people could borrow a costume from the rack and take family pictures. The play moved the narrator to the front, to tell the Nativity story (still from Matthew and Luke) as a father telling his children. It was a beautiful magical night.
It's 2010, and we have decided to host The Nativity Experience again. Along with our new website, another new addition is an Interfaith Children's Choir. All kids are welcome to come learn some fun songs to sing on the music stage (see sidebar and calendar on this page for updates.)
And the second focus is in response to many peoples' requests for help making their Biblical costumes. And since this year's play is adding some special effects, we'll be holding several public sewing nights. A "dream team" of 7 seamstresses has assembled to help you create a simple or fitted robe, tunic, headdress or drape (and answer any other sewing questions you may have.)
If you don't need a Bethlehem look, you can also learn sewing skills as we make props for the play. For example, this little dove, which I made this week:
She needs a mate, don't you think? She already has a home though: I was at the recycling center, and between the dusty books and cardboard boxes was a little bird's nest. It seemed to call to me, and I could immediately envision it in the stable rafters. A happy moment.
Another piece I'm excited about: the swaddling band. Researching Hebrew culture, many young brides, during their engagement, embroidered a strip of cloth for tying their hands to their spouse during the wedding, and later for swaddling their children. Mary's band is royal blue for the House of David, with lions representing Judah. Lots of extra details are going to make the play come alive this year.
Click on the calendar below for more details, and I'll see you for the first (and biggest) sewing night: September 14, 2010 at 6:30 pm.
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