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Zion Lutheran Church to stage 35th annual nativity
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
A live nativity planned this weekend highlights the Christmas season at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road.
It’s been a mainstay of the church for 35 years and a yuletide tradition for many Valley families. Tom Gent is marking his 10th year as director.
Gent, a member of Zion since 1957, said he’s “been in every role except Mary and baby Jesus” over that time. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said of participation. “It’s a nice Christmas event for the church and the community.”
The director said the presentation uses one of two narratives each year. One is a Fred Waring narrative and the other is a newer presentation made by another church.
Costumed cast members act out the story that begins with the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary and moves forward to the birth of Christ. The nativity is staged outside in front of the church.
“We’ve only moved it inside one year out of the 35 because it was raining, sleeeting so hard,” Gent recalled. “Our cast is robust ... they’ve been outside in snow and the cold.”
Cast members don’t have any dialogue but they learn various movements to correspond with the music and narration. Gent said the cast varies from year to year because the number playing shepherds and angels fluctuates. The basic cast is Mary and Joseph, Herod, Three Wise Men, innkeeper’s wife, shepherds and angels. “We use a baby doll for Jesus,” he said, adding it’s wrapped in a blanket and slightly visisble.
“Families sometimes participate as a group,” Gent said. “Many in the nativity have been in it before.”
Gent said Dwayne Felger provides the animals including a camel and goats.
“The idea is to keep Christ in Christmas,” Gent said. “To witness the presentation puts the real meaning of Christmas at the forefront.”
“We love to keep doing the live nativity every year, and are proud of the long tradition we maintain in doing so,” said Senior Pastor Duane Jesse. “It’s unique and powerful to see for many of us. We fell that it really helps to put emphasis on the true meaning of Christmas and the holiday season.”
The live nativity will be presented at 5:30, 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Refreshments will be provided in Alber Hall.