Sonoma Church's Live Nativity Grows With The Years

SONOMA, CA — What started 13 years ago with one sheep has turned into a Christmas Eve tradition for one Sonoma congregation. Since then, Brian Ness has been bringing his growing menagerie of camels, sheep and a donkey for a live nativity scene at St. Andrew Presbyterian, said Pastor Rich Gantenbein.

This year, two 11-day-old lambs joined the cast of the unique Christmas Eve production.

As guests arrived, they stopped to gaze at the animals on display at the entrance of the church on Arnold Drive.

Once the candlelight service got underway, the caravan of creatures was led down the church aisles and onto the stage for the live nativity scene.

The church held three services Christmas Eve featuring the live nativity, with one of the services attended by an overflowing crowd.

Photos and story contributed by Al Francis/Napasonomaphotos.com