First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach will present the 34th Live Nativity celebration from Thurs., Dec. 15 to Wed., Dec. 21. The Live Nativity is open from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each night and is the first time in several years that it will be open on a Sunday evening. This year’s event will again include a drive-through option as well as the direct interaction with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and petting and feeding the animals. The shepherd’s field is filled with sheep, donkeys and Naomi the camel. In addition, there will be one alpaca on hand that must have escaped from Noah’s Ark!
This celebration of the birth of Jesus is a free event that includes Angels, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, the three Magi and Shepherds. You can have your photo taken in the nativity scene and it will be waiting for you as you leave the event. Don’t forget your cookie, coffee or hot chocolate, too! If the weather turns cold, there are fire pits to gather around to keep warm. As visitors depart the shepherd’s field, children receive a candy cane and they learn the Christian story behind its invention.
To illustrate the complete salvation story from Jesus’ miraculous birth, to his crucifixion and resurrection there are Roman Soldiers at the Cross and Angels at the Empty Tomb.
Most nights, there will be musical presentations from the church’s choir and other talented individuals. On Thurs., Dec. 15 (opening night) the Emerald Coast Chorus will be singing. Clyod Key, a particularly gifted singer and soloist, will be singing Fri., Dec. 16 and Sun., Dec. 18. Jeff Keeman, formally the Music Minister at First Baptist, will be singing on Wed., Dec. 21. The remaining three nights of the Live Nativity are to be determined and will likely include other talented singers from the praise team and choir.
This depiction of the birth of Christ has become a special part of the Christmas celebration in Fort Walton Beach. The family photo in the nativity is a keepsake that now stretches back over three decades. Last year, more than 800 family portraits were taken in the nativity scene.
First Baptist Church was blessed to have Dr. Bill Buckelew and his wife, Jane, in the congregation 34 years ago when the church started the Live Nativity. Although Dr. B has passed on, Jane still tells the children about the candy cane story and all the animals still come from the Rockin’ BAB Ranch in DeFuniak Springs. Josh Nelson, his former ranch manager and now the Rockin’ BAB owner, has continued Dr. B’s legacy of providing the animals for the Live Nativity.
The entrance to the nativity field is at the corner of 2nd St. and Church Ave., right by the First Baptist Church sanctuary. Parking is available in the church parking lot. For more information on First Baptist’s free gift to the community, visit fbcfwb.org.
