Submitted by: Maryann Friesen |

Sunday was a beautiful night for The Live Nativity put on by Valley churches at the farm of Scott and Cindy Tibble near Benito. There were about 420 guests that came through between 4:00 and 7:00 on Sunday, Dec. 16th.

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There were approximately 75 volunteers to help with the event. When guests arrived they saw the star guiding them to Bethlehem. They were directed to the parking lot by Roman soldiers and then taken from there to the farmyard by horse drawn sleighs.

In groups of about 40 at a time they were led along by a couple of guides to experience what it might have been like at the first Christmas. The first stop was the field of shepherds who were around a fire just hanging out and visiting when suddenly an angel appeared and then a host of angels announcing the birth of Christ.

From there they were taken to the stable and welcomed in by the innkeeper to see what had just happened. The live animals in the barn added to the ambiance. Attention was focused on the reason we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus, with a full cast of live actors and some readings and music.

The market place was next, a lively and noisy place. Guests could stay there as long as they pleased and then over to the garage for coffee and cookies after which the sleigh took them back to 2012 and their vehicles.