Drive-Thru Nativity

The Lutheran church here in town had a drive-thru nativity this weekend. I love stuff like that, so we went. It was very well organized; I asked one of the 'centurions' how long they've been doing it and he said for five years.

There were four stations, and three cars were allowed at each station. We moved in a circle around the church parking lot with our lights off and our windows down. Centurions with flashlights directed the traffic, it was very orderly.

The first station was the shepherds getting the news from the angels. The costumes were simple, the sheep were made of wood with fur glued on, and the fire was a fan with an orange light blowing the 'flames', but it was moving in its simplicity.

The second station was the wise men. The third station was the manger scene. The only incongruous part of it was that Mary & Joseph were in their seventies. Still, it was a terrific effort. The fourth station was a choir with volunteers handing out candy canes with the story of the candy cane on one side and the Christmas Eve service times on the other side. The whole thing took about 20 minutes, but it was good. When we pulled out, the line to get in stretched down Bell Road with police directing the traffic.

I guess the point of this story is that we don't have to have first-class, high tech, glitzy props to tell the story of Jesus' birth. We just have to be genuine in the telling. Compared to the glamour of the First Assembly of God's Christmas story with flying angels, real animals, and bejeweled costumes, this was a joke. But, when it comes to the effort and believability of the actors, the friendliness of the centurions and other volunteers, it was a magnificent effort.

Seeds can be planted in this simple manner. Don't be afraid to share with others because you don't have a theology degree, you have something even better: a true, simple faith.