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Is your small church looking for a way to make a big impact on your community with the message of Christmas? Is your small church ready to host a creative event that can propel your visitors right back to that manger in Bethlehem? Then keep reading because we’re going to show you how hosting a Live Nativity scene at your small church could really change lives this Christmas!
Some of you may be asking, ‘What is a Live Nativity?’ It is a traditional nativity scene brought to life with people in period costumes and in some cases with live animals as well. This unique event can bring your entire Christmas celebration to another level. Guests are literally able to reach out and touch the message of Christmas! A Live Nativity can have a significant impact on believers and non-believers alike.
Live Nativities at churches today can range from simple and humble with just a few elements to really extravagant with multiple actors, animals, and elaborate sets.
Small Churches Host Live Nativities
- Set up the Nativity in progressive scenes that participants walkthrough
- Offer a drive-thru experience so families never have to leave their car
- Plan a main setting where guests come and watch a re-enactment at the manger
We share about a church that hosts their Live Nativity and incorporates interactive stations for guests to participate in. What a wonderful addition, especially for families!
The good thing is, that there is room within that range for your small church to discover what works best for your volunteers, your budget, your space setting, and your church family!
Many Living Nativities are traditionally presented on weekends throughout the Advent season. Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to those dates. Choose the times and dates that work in your small church and in your community. You don’t want to be competing with other town events or churches. Make sure to check that out before you schedule your event.
Hosting a Live Nativity can turn out to be a community favorite, especially for families. You may even see this become an annual tradition for your town!
What Can Happen Through Your Live Nativity
- Give you an opportunity to introduce your church to your community. This is a top of the Ministry Funnel event.
- Be a time of connecting to people in your neighborhood.
- Promote intergenerational relationships in your small church as people of all ages volunteer to help and spend time together.
- Teach the children in your small church the significance of the Incarnation. (For those who don’t often use that word, it is the truth of Jesus coming down to earth to bring us God’s grace.) Their hearts will be saturated with this truth as they are involved in the project.
Small Church Live Nativity Attracts 400 People
G. Ilona Bevan tells us their church hosts a living Nativity as a Christmas Eve tradition. One of the things your church must consider when planning to host a Live Nativity outside in the month of December is the weather! G. Ilona, lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! Certainly not for those who are faint of heart or cold of feet!
She tells us that temps there can be as low as -23C but their church plans ahead and has patio heaters at each station. Actors are encouraged to wear many layers of clothes under their costumes.
Over 400 people from the community lined up to view the Nativity. Their small church uses 5 people acting as ushers, leading folks through the scenes in groups of 15-20, so it flows smoothly. They even have real sheep and a donkey. This makes the event so memorable, especially for the kiddos.
Actors in the various scenes are church members of all ages. This outreach provides fun memories and shares the true meaning of Christmas in living color.
As we previously mentioned, finding the best time for your small church to schedule your event is important. You may want to consider hosting it on Christmas Eve. Just imagine, if you placed your Live Nativity just outside of your building along the walkway to the entrance of your church. What an impact this could have on guests as they are arriving to attend Christmas Eve service and they suddenly come face to face with the story of Christmas! Talk about a prelude to a wonderful and memorable service!!
Early Planning Gives Better Success
The best tip we can give you is to start planning early. There are a lot of elements involved in a Live Nativity, especially if you plan to use animals. Contacting farms or petting zoos well in advance is beneficial. Take time to get your vision down on paper first, then gather a team around you.
Plan Your Small Church Live Nativity
Find People For Your Team
Do not try to do this on your own. Find people for your team. Your team can share ideas, share the planning, recruit the volunteers, share the tasks, and share in the blessings!
Know Your Budget
Discuss with your church leadership and Pastor to determine what your budget is for this event. Consider different elements that may have to be purchased or ‘rented’ such as scene display pieces, possibly animals, and even costumes.
Determine Your Live Nativity Location
- On-site at the church property
- Barn or yard of a church member
- Public space or park.
Set Up Volunteers For Success
- Plan out your schedule.
- Choose your date.
- Making an event schedule for your volunteers is important.
- Provide job descriptions and inform volunteers of their time commitments.
These items are crucial to having happy volunteers!
Promote The Event
Promotion is important. How and where do you get the word out?
- Encourage your small church members to invite friends, neighbors, and family.
- Post on your small church’s social media outlets
- Make announcements in your bulletin.
- Check with local newspapers to see if they have a church page
- Look to see if your community has a calendar of events you might post on.
Pay Attention To Guest Comfort Details
- Determine what kind of atmosphere you want to create for your guests.
Interactive? Convenient? A place to linger? - Think about how to keep guests comfortable.
Warm if it’s cold, dry if it’s rainy, and safe if it’s windy.. are your sets securely tied down? - Do you need ‘ushers’ to guide guests through your experience?
- Is signage needed for parking, stations, restrooms, or food?
Plan Any Food At The Live Nativity
Do you want to offer refreshments to your guests? This is a possible added time of connection for your small church volunteers. Establish a refreshments team for procuring food, serving, and cleaning up. Have refreshments or meals available for your actors if they are going to be there for several hours.
Consider Renting Portable Restrooms For Your Event
If your entire event is outside you may consider renting portable restrooms. Check online in your area to see where you can rent them. Appoint volunteers to make sure they are clean throughout the event.
Give Small Christmas Family Gifts
You may want to consider a small gift to give each family as they leave your event. Items like a small devotional book, a magnet, or an ornament work well. Handing out candy canes to each guest is a simple option. Make sure to have an invitation to your small church Christmas services.
Keeping The Main Thing-The Main Thing!
Above all else, remember the main purpose for hosting a Live Nativity is to share the message of Christmas! Everything you do, and everyone who is a part of hosting this event needs to have that focus!
Before your event begins, gather your small church family for a circle of prayer.
- Ask God to be in control of each aspect of the event
- Guests to be touched by the Holy Spirit.
- The hope of Christmas speaks to their hearts.
- Each volunteer experiences a blessing as they work to bring this living message to their community.
- Pray the light of Jesus shines brightly in that place!
We know hosting a Live Nativity can make an impact on your community and on your church family as you serve side by side. So go ahead, step out in faith, and start this creative new tradition in your small church this Christmas! Let’s see what God can do.
Read about more Small Church Christmas Ideas:
Your Favorite Small Church Christmas Outreach Ideas
Tips To Include Children With Special Needs In Christmas Activities
