The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Building Bethlehem
Annual Breath of Heaven living nativity scene coming together
Things are shaping up for the annual Breath of Heaven living nativity scene in Vermilion.
This year’s presentation is the 21st that the living nativity was held and the second at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 15617 Mason Road in Vermilion.
It will take place from 4-8 p.m., Dec. 8 and 9.
Kathy Sklarek, organizer and head of the Breath of Heaven Committee, said this year’s exhibition is the result of work, labor and supplies provided by St. Matthew Lutheran, Bethany Lutheran Church in Wellington, Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermilion, Kipton Community Church and Henrietta Church.
Members of the construction tech class at EHOVE Career Center, in Milan, were on scene Nov. 30 assembling some of the 12 buildings that will house the nearly 45 actors who will perform during the two-night show.
Keiten Jones, 19, of Huron, and Alyssa Burch, 17, of Wakeman, are members of the class who were hard at work putting a roof on the manger Nov. 30 that serves as a centerpiece in the show.
They agreed that the
Sklarek said the nativity brought in 920 visitors last year and more than half of those hadn’t been there before.
living nativity is a good cause for the community.
“It brings families together to do holiday things,” Burch said.
The repair work was necessary as Sklarek said the displays were damaged in a wind storm just before the performances last year.
Sklarek said the nativity brought in 920 visitors
last year and more than half of those hadn’t been there before.
She said this is part of the goal.
“We’re always reaching more people,” Sklarek said. “To me, that’s really cool, because it’s not getting old, just like the story of the birth of Jesus never gets old.
“It just goes to show you
that by us putting this on, people still want to learn.”
In the event’s 21-year history, it has drawn generations of people, both to view the presentation, and to work in it.
Sklarek said her parents, Bill and Coralie Swanzer, have been involved with the nativity scene the longest.
Bill Swanzer, 85, said it feels good to see the living nativity still going.
“We’ve been doing it for quite a while now,” Swanzer said. “It’s a good outreach.”
Coralie Swanzer, 83, said she has seen the event grow larger all these years.
“It’s funny how you go around different places and mention it thinking they’ve never heard of it,” Coralie Swanzer said. “Then they say they always try to go or they missed it.
“It’s getting to be pretty well known here.”
The Breath of Life living nativity is free to the public, and visitors are invited to bring a nonperishable food item that will be donated to those in need.