Churches are holding online services
First Covenant Church is hosting a “COVID- safe, drive-through Live Nativity” Monday and Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Eureka.
“This has become a family tradition for many in our community. This year especially, it is something families can get out and do in the safety of their own cars,” said Char Kellogg, the church’s community outreach coordinator, in an email interview with the Times-Standard.
When First Covenant Church started its “Live Nativity” program 16 years ago, it featured three scenes. This year’s event includes seven scenes — with 20 to 25 cast members as well as live animals.
“Seeing the story of Christmas aids in understanding what God did that first Christmas in sending His Son to be born in a manger,” Kellogg said.
She added: “This presentation is our way of being able to tell the story of Christmas. It is also our way of being able to rally together to create something bigger than any one of us. God has given us, as a
church, many creative people — an artist who drew the camels and the inn, those who then built the props, including the stable, a fabric designer who made all the costumes, those who tirelessly set up and take down all the scenes.”
Narration for the 2020
“Live Nativity” drivethrough event is available digitally via the church website, www.fcceureka.org, or through YouTube. Those who don’t have access to a smart phone or other internet-connected device will be given a CD or printed script when they arrive.
“COVID caused us to consider whether we could hold this event this year — not an impossible feat, just reason to adapt,” Kellogg said. “We submitted our plan to the County of Humboldt and received approval. Changes include having only family unit in scenes where the cast is close together (otherwise, social distancing applies), cast in each scene getting into costume in different locations in three church buildings (masks and social distancing), technical changes (viewers accessing narration on their phones or watching on YouTube), no ‘gift’ given out at the conclusion of the presentation, no ‘ gathering place’ for cast, etc.”
To avoid traffic congestion while viewing the “Live Nativity,” cars should follow this route: from Buhne Street turn south onto K Street, turn right onto Carson Street, then right onto J Street, ending up at the church at 2500 J St.
The first night of the “Live Nativity” will also be the evening of the “Christmas Star,” when Jupiter and Saturn appear closer in the sky than they have in some 800 years, creating a showy display of light.
“We are very excited to realize that star will shine on the 21st,” Kellogg said. “The wise men followed the star in Eastern skies until it stopped over the place where Jesus was born. How exciting if this star would shine over the stable the first night of our event.”