Living Nativity tradition continues at Mountain Brook Baptist Church

For more than 50 years, Mountain Brook Baptist Church has provided the community with a living Nativity at Christmas. This year, the tradition will continue. 

Designed to be a live presentation of the story of the Nativity, the church has used the same narration every year — a narration recorded 53 years ago by their pastor at that time, Dr. Dotson Nelson. 

The living Nativity features the story of Jesus’ birth as told by local actors and live animals. “People of all ages have played roles in the living Nativity,” said coordinator Mary Splawn. “On the 50th anniversary year, we had a child who was 3 and a man who was 93 as angels.”

The church finds its animals, which provide supporting roles, at the T&N Acres Petting Zoo in Cleveland, Alabama. Kids are able to pet the animals after the show. 

While they have not had a camel at the show recently, the petting zoo has younger camels in-waiting, and the church has hopes for the future. 

The living Nativity will be on display at the church in the lower parking lot from Dec. 21 to Dec. 23. There will be three showings each night at 6:45, 7:30 and 8:15. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available for guests.