Live nativity at Falls church
A Christmas tradition that goes back more than 30 years returns to Queensway Free Methodist Church in Niagara Falls this weekend.
People who drive by the Dorchester Road church Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. will notice a live outdoor nativity where church members take on the roles of Joseph, Mary, wise men and shepherds. There will also be a menagerie of animals.
Mary-Joe Marcon, a member of the congregation who organizes the annual event along with her husband Tony, said it’s about getting the word out there “as to what the real reason for Christmas is.”
“Jesus was born on Christmas day, and that’s why we celebrate Christmas,” she said.
Marcon said an area will be set up for children to feed the animals.
“We also offer a hot apple cider and cookies inside,” she said, adding the event attracts about a few hundred people.
“They enjoy seeing the live animals, and just the whole idea of what we’re celebrating.”
Marcon said about 30 people are involved in making the event a reality.
She said the event and the church have become synonymous with one another.
“They’ll say, ‘What church do you go to?’ and you say Queensway Free Methodist, and they say, ‘Oh, where is that?’ and I’ll say, ‘You know, they have the live animals at Christmas time and we have the nativity scene.’ Right away they know what I’m talking about.”
Marcon said the event is free to attend, and will take place regardless of what the weather will be like Sunday.
The church has hosted the event in all kinds of weather in the past, from blizzard-like conditions to unseasonably warm temperatures. rspiteri@postmedia.com twitter.com/rayspiteri