DENMARK – This year, the folks at the Denmark Congregational United Church of Christ are doing something a bit different with their traditional live nativity event. Instead of bringing the manager scene to life for spectators as church members have done for so many years, they will be taking people on a journey.

The outdoor journey will be an interactive one as attendees travel with Mary and Joseph as they seek shelter in Bethlehem where they had to pay a tax. They will meet the shepherds tending their flocks and hear their stories, and will see the angel proclaiming the good news of the savior’s birth. They will encounter wise men bearing gifts and wisdom and then, at the end, will arrive at the nativity scene and see the Holy Family in the manger.

“Several of our church members had attended a live nativity event like this in Farmington, which does it every other year. They are not doing it this year, so we decided we would give it a try. It’s the first time for us and we’re really excited,” said UCC member Kristy Reid.

The “Journey to Bethlehem Live Nativity” will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes, but Reid said fire pits will be set up at various spots on the route.

“First people will start in the church and groups will be led by a narrator. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes or so, so if people are worried about the cold, there will also be fire pits set up,” she said.

The family friendly event is free to attend and will be held 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, and 4:30-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, near the church, located at 401 Academy Ave, in Denmark, Iowa.

As an extra bonus, attendees are encouraged to enjoy fellowship, cookies, hot chocolate and coffee before and after taking going on their journey.

“This is taking a lot more people, a lot more planning, but we think it will be worth it. Inside the church there will be a photo booth as well.”

Attendees are also encouraged to take photos of various parts of their journey.

“An angel will actually appear from up above… from a deer stand. They’ve gone to a lot of work for this, but we think it will be fun and inspirational.”