We want to involve the kids as much as possible as this is being planned in place of a regular children's Christmas program.  We also plan on having it open to the public and outside.  We're not a large church, but we are located on a main road and have a nice size property with a big yard and large parking lot. 

We really don't have any concrete details yet so we're open to all suggestions...what to include, how to set it up, how to publicize, when to have it, etc. 

All input is appreciated.

I for one thought of doing it as a "show". I am not sure if you are familiar with Saturday Night Live. It's a show here in the NE. I thought of doing a Nativity version of it. "Live form Bethlehem it's Silent Night!" It would play twice that night (7:00 and 8:00 PM). Characters (children and adults) would star in it and act to the narration of a background story teller. No need to memorize lines, just moves. Stable would be made out of real wood and hay (AR decos!). If possible a couple of real animals or wooden cutouts, fake palm trees and of course a BIG lighted star above the stable. Skit would be approximately 30 minuets long for each show, with a break in between. Area would have to be marked off by some sort of barrier that would allow spectators to look, but not interfere with "actors" or set. To keep it short you would have to start a narration of Matt 1:18-22 and then extend the coming to the Inn, birth, shepherds, Angles singing, Magi visit and end with Herod's plot. Oh, I am soooo going to try to do this this year, that is if I am still in the NE!

Science and the Bible - The Bible is not a Science Text yet it is consistent with scientific facts 
        Science - Precision of movement in the universe                                                                
        Bible - Jeremiah 31:35,36                                                                                                     

Here's a picture of the nativity I did for my old church's Christmas Play.

Live Animals...goats, sheep, a donkey...live animals bring it to life.

Hay bales...maybe open one up and strew it all over the floor to give it a stable look.

And, you might want to (if you have time) "expand" and make a mini Bethlehem. Have kids dressed sheep be on a "field" with a shepherd. The innkeeper outside his inn (you could have the inkeeper pass out candy canes and the Christian story of the candy cane http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0oGkyNRQddGwBYBZEpXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE5ZnRiYWE4BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNwRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA0Y4MjJfMTA5BGwDV1Mx/SIG=11sqrl5i3/EXP=1188598481/**http%3a//www.alighthouse.com/candycane.htm

I hope your program goes well.

Rebecca,

That backdrop is wonderful.  You're so talented.  And thanks for the ideas...they're great!

I have another question for everyone.  We have the capability of having this as a walk through or a drive through.  I have only been to the drive-thru kind.  (& for those of you with warped senses of humor like mine...no we didn't have fries with that!)  It was set up as a series of scenes.  Which do you think would be better?  Which do you think would get a higher turn out from the community?

Much of the work has been done for you, plus you get some great publicity helps, music, and things to give to families who attend.

Check it out!!

The audio was the big problem even with just a narrator.

Our numbers have gotten a lot smaller since then so it's not feasible again...but so appreciated by those touched.

If you do, have fun and good luck!!

They usually have the camels at the local Wal Mart parking lot during the day, so it attracts lots of attention.

Email me if you need the name of the church. I am sure you could call them for help.