For the first time in four decades, Windsor Baptist Church in Imperial will not hold its annual live nativity scene staged on the bluff behind the building at 6701 Hwy. 61-67.
The church has canceled the yearly Christmas event because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Darren Webb said.
The free event normally is held each night from Dec. 17-23, with members of the congregation dressing in period costume for the lighted nativity scene, which includes live animals, choir music and hot chocolate and cookies served inside the church building.
“We made the decision, I think, in the last week,” Webb said Dec. 10. “Our concerns are over the crowds. If we had done it, this would have been our 41st year.”
He said reports of increased COVID-19 numbers persuaded church leaders to cancel the event in 2020.
“There have been instances where it’s been canceled for a night because of bad weather, but it’s never been completely canceled before,” Webb said. “We were going to do everything we could to make it safe – social distancing, masks. But, as it got closer and with the COVID cases on the rise, we felt for the safety of the community we should not do it this year.”
The congregation’s nativity scene typically requires dozens of Windsor Baptist members to be a part of the nativity scene, to manage the parking of visitors’ vehicles, to work in the hospitality room, to help with the animals and to take care of other tasks during the week.
The event draws people from all around the region, including busloads of groups from churches and other organizations from far away, Webb noted.
Knowing how popular the event is made it hard for the congregation to cancel
it this year, Webb said.
“We know we’re a part of Christmas celebrations for many families,” Webb said.
He said the congregation intends to bring back its nativity scene for Christmas season 2021.
“We’re hoping, God willing, next year we’ll be able to share the gift of Jesus coming to the Earth with our community,” the pastor said.
