Missouri Church's Drive-Thru Nativity Features Roman Soldiers, Tax to Enter Bethlehem
More than 1,800 people experienced a Missouri congregation's first drive-thru interactive Nativity last weekend that included several live animals and actors portraying Roman soldiers.
Drivers were handed a coin to later give to Roman soldiers as a tax to enter Bethlehem, going through a recreated biblical era town that included a bustling marketplace.
"At the gate, Roman soldiers requested their tax token to enter into the city. As the visitors drove to the city gate, they witnessed folks in biblical dress walking to and from the city. Booths [were set up] to feture a basket shop, bread shop, scarves and jewelry shop, and a carpenter's shop. All were manned by characters hawking and showing off their wares," said Bryan Ridenour, student pastor at North Nixa Baptist Church, who told The Christian Post that months back lead Pastor Jerry Francisco came up with the idea to host a drive-thru Nativity for the community.
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"He expressed that God laid this outreach event idea on his heart and he hoped it would be a means of bringing the entire church together, both young and old to share the Good News of Christ's birth to our community."
At the end of the experience, Ridenour thanked the passengers for visiting and Francisco handed them a goodbye present, which included a DVD featuring the Rev. Billy Graham.
When asked by CP what he hoped attendees took away from their drive-thru nativity, Ridenour explained they wanted "to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas."
"It's quite easy to become distracted and wearied by the parties, office gatherings and special events that we forget that Christmas is about our Messiah's birth," said Ridenour.
"Hopefully, our living Nativity reminded people that in a world where chaos seems to be the order of the day, Jesus Christ brings hope and peace ... maybe not to our physical surroundings, but to the heart of humanity."
North Nixa Baptist is not the only church in the nation that has performed a drive-thru nativity display this Christmas season.
For the 15th year, Green River Baptist Church of Cromwell, Kentucky, offered a display at their property earlier this month.
Green River Baptist Pastor Kelly Harris explained to CP in an earlier interview that their display featured several biblical scenes going back to the Old Testament.
"The first scene is Isaiah receiving the message of the Promised Messiah. Next, is Gabriel's announcement to Mary. Then, we have Mary's visit to Elizabeth," said Harris.
"We have a scene where the angel comes to Joseph in a dream. Next, is the scene with Mary and Joseph at the inn. And finally, we have a big nativity at the end with Mary and Joseph, the angels, and the shepherds."
