Local Church Hosts Live Nativity, Petting Zoo At Annual Event

AURORA, IL — Drive around and you'll find many churches displaying nativity scenes this time of year. Setting Faith Lutheran Church apart is its live nativity hosted each winter "to allow guests to experience the first Christmas in Bethlehem."

Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at the church, located at 3000 Liberty St., volunteer actors and members of the congregation will stand to portray Mary, Joseph and the wise men. As part of the longstanding tradition, the church said it will humanely use real animals to recreate the night.

"It is a great experience to share with the young and old," Faith Lutheran’s Pastor Rob Douglas said in a statement. "We always preach about the reason for the season, and this event is a good way to honor that — a calm night of reflection in the holiday storm."

Visitors will be able to view the outdoor performance however they're most comfortable — from their cars, sitting in a lawn chair or standing, organizers said in a news release. The program will include a narration of the Christmas story and the singing of traditional carols.

Following the nativity spectacle, guests can visit a petting zoo to see the donkey, llama and ducks that were in the show. Organizers will also be offering hot chocolate and cookies after the performance, and visitors will be able to take photos with the nativity scene.

For those who won't be able to attend but wish to watch, the church will be live-streaming the event at www.discoveringfaith.com/watch. An on-demand video will also be made available here.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the event's date as Saturday, not Sunday like previously mentioned. Patch apologizes for the error.