Live Nativity And Food Drive Return To McLean Area In 2021

MCLEAN, VA — For a second year, a live nativity and food drive benefiting SHARE of McLean will be held in the McLean-Falls Church area.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host the free McLean Nativity on Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 in the parking lot of its chapel at Great Falls Street and Kirby Road, Falls Church.

The drive-thru event features Nativity displays, including a manger scene and Bethlehem scenery, with shepherds, angels, and wise men. The display will also have over 20,000 Christmas lights, as well as live llamas, sheep, goats, donkeys, miniature horses, chickens, and rabbits.

Attendees can tune into a podcast for narration of the Christmas story in English and Spanish as well as seasonal music through their car speakers.

The drive-thru takes about 15 minutes. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night.

The event returns after last year’s event drew strong interest. Organizers estimated over 1,000 cars drove through over two nights. The event was extended by an additional hour each night due to the overwhelming response last year.

"The message of Christmas, and of the other holidays celebrated by numerous faith groups at this time of year, is a joyous and hopeful one," stated Jim Stansel, president of the church's McLean Stake and an Arlington resident. "We look forward to celebrating that joyous and hopeful spirit with our community neighbors of all ages again this year."

Attendees are encouraged to bring donations for SHARE of McLean, a food bank operated by McLean Baptist Church and the Komak Foundation, the latter of which serves helps local Afghan refugees. Last year's event helped restock the food pantry.

"Last year, we were so gratified at the generosity of our community, which donated
enough food to last for two months at SHARE," said Christy Lucia, president of the
women’s Relief Society for McLean Stake and a McLean resident. "We hope to see even more generosity this year."

The donation bin will be accessible from your car at the drive-thru. Attendees are asked to not donate glass or oversized items.

Share of McLean's most needed items this year are:

• Canned tomato products (diced, sauce, etc.)
• Vegetable oil (24 oz., 48 oz.)
• Canned or dry beans (black, kidney, etc.)
• Canned fruit (pineapple, peaches, etc.)
• Canned vegetables (corn, peas, etc.)
• Spaghetti/pasta (1 lb.)
• Macaroni and cheese
• Pasta sauce (cans or plastic jars)
• Cereal
• Ramen noodles
• Peanut butter (10 to 20 oz.)
• Jam/jelly
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Laundry detergent (15 to 32 loads)

For more information about the event, visit www.mcleannativity.org.