Georgia Magazine - December 2022 - 28

Around GEORGIA By Rosalyn Dunn
History comes to life
Nativity performances bring peace,
meaning to the faithful
T
he holiday season is upon us, bringing its usual whirlwind of
concerts, parties, crowded stores and family gatherings. For
Christians, the busyness sometimes can distract from the sacred
origin of the religious holiday: the birth of Christ.
Groups and churches throughout Georgia are gearing up for their
annual re-enactments of the biblical story of the baby in the manger and
hope to give visitors a sense of wonder and peace.
Thomasville First Baptist Church, Thomasville
(229) 228-6800, bit.ly/tvillevictorianchristmas
For 36 years, Thomasville's downtown has transformed into a
winter wonderland of carriage rides, reindeer and more for its Victorian
Christmas. Amid all the bustle, however, Thomasville First Baptist Church
stages a simple Nativity with live animals, actors, special music and
narration-and always a live " baby Jesus. "
" It's a Thomasville tradition, and it's nostalgic for so many people
here, " says Kristin Long, director of missions and evangelism for the
church.
The hundreds of people who attend each year were especially
delighted when the event returned last year, after bad weather and the
pandemic shut down the Nativity in 2019 and 2020.
" People had been so disappointed
[by the cancellations], " she says. " The
response was unbelievable. "
Shepherds from Thomasville First Baptist Church's live
Nativity warm themselves at the fire in downtown
Thomasville. The annual presentation is held in
conjunction with the Victorian Christmas celebration.
Performances last about 15 to 20 minutes, and
spectators can interact with the cast, who remain
in character, or visit a prayer station to share their
prayer requests after each performance.
This year, the Living Nativity is moving a block
off Main Street to accommodate the growth of
Victorian Christmas, which takes place Dec. 8-9.
" It's a momentary escape from all the hustle and
bustle of everything, " Long says. " It's so easy to lose
focus; sitting back and enjoying the program
gives you a minute to reflect on the reason for
the season. "
Compassion Christian Church,
Savannah
(912) 925-9657, compassionchristian.com/
journey
Compassion Christian Church has been staging
Mary and Joseph cradle an infant Jesus in the final scene of " The Journey, "
presented by Compassion Christian Church in Savannah. Inset: The production
features live animals and " Bethlehem villagers. "
28 Georgia Magazine December 2022
" The Journey " on its campus since 1987, inviting
visitors to experience the first Christmas in a realistic
setting while walking through the woods behind the
church. This year, the cast and crew of more than
1,000 people and animals are eager to return for the
first time since the start of the pandemic.
" We are expecting to see about 30,000 people
over nine nights, " Associate Pastor Harrison Huxford
says.
Continued on page 30
COURTESY COMPASSION CHRISTIAN CHURCH
COURTESY THOMASVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
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http://www.bit.ly/tvillevictorianchristmas http://www.compassionchristian.com/journey http://www.compassionchristian.com/journey
Georgia Magazine - December 2022

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