Drive-through nativity brings Christmas story to life

TEXARKANA, Texas — First Assembly of God is putting on its drive-through nativity presentation for its seventh year of production.

The presentation, now involving dozens of players in various roles, as well as more than a dozen animals, welcomes lines of vehicles each night stretching down West Seventh Street. Coordinator Sarah Berry came up with the idea.

“Our pastor at the time liked the idea and told me to go ahead,” Berry said. “It was a tremendous amount of work getting the first year going, but it all came together. We’ve been doing it ever since. Each year, we’ve added a bit to it, bigger set, more actors, and even added to the animals. And each year starting from the beginning, we’ve had lots of people showing up to see it. The lines stay steady throughout each night we put this on.”

Visitors to the drive-through nativity are greeted by presenters who offer them hot cocoa as well as prop coins representing the payment required to enter Bethlehem.

“Mary and Joseph were coming to Bethlehem at the time to answer the Roman census as well as pay their taxes,” said Berry. “So the immersion starts out with that. The drivethrough visitors are immersed in the story right from the start.”

As they proceed, they are greeted with the scene of the angels visiting Mary and Joseph with their respective messages. As they move forward and enter Bethlehem, they see the merchant quarter, tax collectors, the inn (no room, of course, Bethlehem is a small town and they were crowded to capacity due to the census), eventually making their way to the stable and the manger scene.

“Two additions we added this year were reminders to visitors that the Christmas story is just the beginning, not the end,” said Berry. “We have a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ, and then, the empty tomb, with an angel telling visitors that he is not

here, he is risen. Then, visitors see a sign reminding them that the story continues, that Christ is coming again, and leaving them with the question, ‘Are you ready?’”

Noting the steadily flowing lines of visitors, which the drive-through nativity has welcomed from the start, Berry said, “It is gratifying to see that people are not just receptive to the message of Christmas, but hungry for the hope it represents. This is the story of Christmas.”

(First Assembly of God is at 3401 W. Seventh St.. The drive-through nativity continues Saturday and Sunday nights.)

Staff photo by Junius Stone ■ Actors portray Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus on Friday night at First Assembly of God’s annual drive-through nativity on West Seventh Street in Texarkana, Texas. The event continues on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Staff photo by Junius Stone ■ More than 100 actors help bring Bethlehem alive, including a live marketplace with merchants hawking their wares, at First Assembly of God's drive-through nativity.

Staff photo by Junius Stone ■ An angel stands at the empty tomb, telling visitors, "He is not here; he is risen." A sign reminds visitors as they are leaving that he is alive and coming again, asking the question, "Are you ready?"

Staff photo by Junius Stone ■ A dozen live animals are part of the presentation at First Assembly of God's drivethrough nativity. This year's display includes the wise men with two live camels.