Windsor Baptist Church in Arnold canceled the first night of its live nativity scene on Dec. 17 because of a torrential rain, but huge crowds turned out on Saturday and Sunday for the last two nights of the event, said LaJean Woodworth, a church spokeswoman.
“The attendance was very good Saturday night and even better Sunday,” she said. “I’d say there were hundreds on Saturday night and even more on Sunday night.”
The church has held the free event for more than 40 years, although it was canceled last year because of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Woodworth said it was obvious visitors were happy to see it return this year.
“They were eager,” she said. “We had a lot of people tell us they have been coming for years.”
Woodworth said the setting of the Windsor Baptist live nativity, which includes church members dressed in period costume on top of a bluff behind the church, seems to strike a chord with people.
The scene also includes live animals, like camels, sheep and donkeys, below.
This year, a lighted star was added above the nativity scene.
“It’s the basic church message that touches a lot of people,” Woodworth said. “People comment about the bluff and how perfect it is.”
As part of the event, free refreshments were offered inside the church building.
A bonfire was burning to help warm visitors.
“We also had excellent music both nights,” Woodworth said. “We had two brothers, Gail and Gary Dempsey, sing Christmas carols Saturday night. We also had two young women from our church, Katie Willis and Kari Meece, sing Saturday. Sunday night, we had Carol How, her husband, Tom, and Jen Hebest sing.”
Woodworth said that overall, the congregation was thrilled with the turnout and the live nativity presentation this year.
“We thought it went really well,” she said. “We were very pleased, very pleased. We had a lot of people in the hospitality room, long lines.”