If you take a right on Race Street and turn down Benton Avenue, you might find yourself in the middle of biblical Bethlehem. Sheep, donkeys and even a few camels weave their way through merchants selling goods in the streets, and Roman soldiers sit on horseback beside an inn that is all out of rooms. For the past nine years, the Searcy First Assembly of God has set the scene for the birth of Jesus with a live nativity.
Mark Ferren, who has been the children’s pastor at First Assembly for 15 years, teamed up with former pastor Vernon Ables to come up with the plans for the Living Nativity.
Ferren said that while the production is very elaborate now, the idea had humble beginnings.
“When I was in college, we did a small one out on the corner,” Ferren said. “It was just a stable with a donkey, a Mary and a Joseph. I always dreamed of doing something bigger.”
Members of the church began setting up the nativity on Nov. 1, working throughout the month to repair costumes and carefully place props. The entire set and all of the costumes were handmade by church members. Members volunteer their time each night to serve as actors or to assist with behind-the-scenes maintenance. The cast each night consists of about 100-125 people.
“It’s a lot of work, but a lot of fun,” Ferren said. “It is a gift to our community as a reminder of what Christmas is really about.”
There are also plenty of four-legged cast members. The nativity includes sheep, donkeys, cattle, chickens, doves, goats and horses, all of which are locally owned. Camels are rented from northwest Arkansas and transported to the church, where they live for the duration of the nativity.
Ferren said the event has become very popular among Harding students, but others visit from out of state just to get a glimpse. He said the nativity averages more than 10,000 people who come annually.
Freshman Caitlyn Spears grew up in Searcy, and said she has visited the Living Nativity multiple times.
“It helps remind us what Christmas is all about by not just telling the story, but bringing it to life,” Spears said.
As guests arrive and the lines begin to build up, Ferren said the wait to get in can often take one or two hours. The church sets up screens with movies to entertain guests while they wait, broadcasting audio over a radio frequency. This year’s movie will be “VeggieTales; Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas,” which is narrated by Si Robertson from Duck Dynasty as a cucumber.
When guests have reached the front of the line, they are handed cups of hot chocolate and a CD that narrates the story of Christmas as they drive through the live nativity. Ferren said to drive through the scenes usually takes 10-15 minutes.
The Living Nativity will be taking place Dec. 6-8 and 13-15, from 6:30-9 p.m. on Fridays, 5-9 p.m. on Saturdays and 5-8 p.m. on Sundays. It is located at 101 Benton Ave. The event is free, but guests have the opportunity to make a donation. The donations cover the cost of the nativity each year.
