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Boardman church tells the Christmas story
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Dottie Johnson dressed in biblical attire to lead groups along the journey to Bethlehem at Disciples Christian Church Dec. 15.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Dwayne Felger (right) and his camel Herbie were part of the Three Wise Men attraction at Disciples Christian Church's live nativity Dec. 15. Herbie was a favorite among many of the younger patrons.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Neshack, a baby camel, was everyone's favorite part of the Disciples Christian Church's live nativity Dec. 15.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.The pastor at Disciples Christian Church, Tim Brown, portrayed one of King Harrod's tax collectors for the live nativity Dec. 15.
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Neighbors | Natalie Scott.Ella Larkin, one of the children that came to see the live nativity at Disciples Christian Church Dec. 15, liked seeing all the different kinds of animals at the church.
By NATALIE SCOTT
Disciples Christian Church, located on Route 224 in Boardman, hosted its own live nativity on Dec. 15 for the community to enjoy.
The nativity was more than the traditional portrait of the baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas, as it took participants on a walk that followed the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
“We originally decided that we wanted to have a live nativity and that transitioned into the desire to show people the journey to find the baby, Jesus,” said Mary Ciavarella of Disciples Christian Church. “We really wanted to do something that would bring the community in and show them different parts of the Christmas story. We worked to pique childrens’ interests, as well as adults.”
The tours were done in small groups that were led by tour guides across the church property and to different scenes. In one scene, patrons had to “pay taxes” to the magistrate, played by church pastor, Tim Brown, so that you could see King Herod. Another scene featured the Three Wise Men and boasted a live camel for pictures and to show how people traveled in biblical times. The journey ended in the manger with the Virgin Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.
To participate in the journey, donations of canned goods for the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley were accepted.