A familiar scene

Michele Marr

Eleven live animals -- cows, donkeys and sheep -- dozens of actors,

racks of costumes, scores of volunteers, lights, sound and, God willing,

fair weather.

That’s the scene at the annual Drive-Thru Nativity at the First

Christian Church of Huntington Beach.

“We are praying it doesn’t rain,” smiled Valerie Cunningham, program

director for the event. “And we hope the winds aren’t bad.” But even

without fair weather the show will go on.

In the past 33 years, weather has closed down the outdoor presentation

only once. Two years ago, torrential rains ruined many costumes and

destroyed sets. On Friday night volunteers were forced to pack up what

was left.

“A lot of people built new sets,” Rosemary Armstrong explained as she

organized robes for tonight’s angels and wise men, “and others helped

with the costumes.”

She pointed to a king’s hand-beaded robe. “Look at this one,” she

said, as she held up the work of longtime volunteer Fern Langlois.

Altogether it takes nearly 300 volunteers to create the two-night

nativity. Each night two shifts of actors portray shepherds, wise men,

angels, innkeeper and, of course, the holy family, Mary and Joseph.

As cars and pedestrians arrive at the church’s parking lot where the

nativity is staged, greeters hand out programs for the story. And since

the wait to the start of the nativity scenes has grown with attendance,

they hand out activity packets to children in cars at toward the back of

the line.

More volunteers direct the traffic, both cars and pedestrians. Last

year nearly 3000 motorists and walkers viewed the story.

Many of the volunteers are never seen. Stagehands, sound and lighting

technicians set up the production on Wednesday and Thursday. Then at

midnight on Friday they start to take everything down.

“Everything has to be out of the parking lots for Sunday morning,’

said Cunningham.

Volunteers manage the cows, donkeys and sheep brought in for the

production from Harts Livestock in Corona.

In the church’s kitchen, volunteers prepare food and beverages.

Especially on cold and windy nights this provides actors a place to warm

up between their shifts.

The story opens on a desert scene. The prophet Isaiah foretells the

coming birth of the Prince of Peace. In the second scene the angel

Gabriel reveals to Mary that she is to be the mother of this child. The

angel Gabriel then awakens a sleeping Joseph with his message.

This year, the sleeping Joseph, has an inside story. At least two of

this year’s actors who portray him are women.

“One of our actors, Linda Garrett, has arthritis,” explained

Cunningham, “but she still wanted to do her part for the nativity.”

The sleeping Joseph, who lies down through the actor’s 40-minute

shifts, is a perfect part for someone who may not be able to stand in the

cold that long.

Margaret Murray will also take her turn as the sleeping Joseph. Her

husband, Ken Murray will play an innkeeper this year. Their family has

participated in the nativity for more than 20 years.

“It’s a fun family thing, a good time for the adults and the kids to

interact,” Ken said.

The nativity started in 1969 with high school and college-age youth,

under the direction of then-youth leader Dan Moss. There where 40 youths

and three scenes. Twelve-hundred people came to see it.

The number of scenes has tripled. Volunteers now range in age from

third-graders to those over 70.

“There are people in the church who have done this every year,” said

Ken, “It’s not the Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral, but it’s

pretty close.”

FYI

What: Annual Drive-Thru Nativity

Where: First Christian Church of Huntington Beach, 1207 Main St.

When: Tonight 6-10 p.m.; Friday December 7, 6-10 p.m.

Admission: Free

Info: 714-536-2589