When God gave us His only son in humble, human form, sorrounded by common animals and laid in their feeding trough, God was getting a message across to us about just how the new king would rule.

Families in Fargo, North Dakota and Sioux Falls South Dakota turned out in large numbers to experience live nativities on Sunday, December 4, 2022.  Offering a respite from the seasonably cool weather, the congregations served Christmas goodies in their fellowship halls, where people could share a cup of hot apple cider, coffee, or cocoa and their impressions of the nativities. At Fargo Faith, the 19th Avenue Jazz Singers of Fargo North High School and Fargo Faith's own Big House Band performed for the folks as they were welcomed inside.

In Fargo, church trustees set up the stable, worn-out costumes were repaired or replaced, pens were set up for some animals, and folks  at both locations looked forward to the first live nativity without COVID restrictions.

Rev. Don Vanderlip of Sioux Falls Southern Hills UMC  dressed up with his wife, Kristina, as Joseph and Mary. He said, “It was great to be able to be a part of the re-telling of the greatest story ever told.”

Over a thousand people visited the nativities, which included volunteers from the congregations and a variety of animals (including some llamas in Fargo). The characters wore warm clothes on a dark winter night, and gave parents and grandparents a chance to re-tell the Christmas story in living, touchable ways.

At Fargo Faith UMC, Christopher Hanson had organized most of the live nativity in years past. Since his untimely death last month, members of the leadership team stepped up to make this year's event happen, and continue the over 30-year legacy of their live nativity. 

Leadership team member Deb Laber said, “It’s a community service in outreach to others, and it can highlight what a fun event we can have as a church.”  They even reinforced the angels' ladder, which had become wobbly over the years, she said.

The visibility for Fargo Faith is very good because the church is located at a relatively busy intersection in the city, so it isn't hard to find.  Southern Hills UMC also has a good location, near a school and city park, although they work to keep traffic flowing at times.

Read the Fargo Forum preview story here.

Read the story and watch a video from Sioux Falls KELO-TV here: Keloland.com.