First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach will present its 35th Live Nativity celebration from Thursday, December 14th through Wednesday, December 20th. The Live Nativity is open from 6 – 8:30 p.m. each night. It is the second time only in several years that this free, Live Nativity will be open on a Sunday evening, a gift to the community from First Baptist Church.
As there is no drive-through option, by walking through, you can have your photo taken with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, as well as the three Wise Men. Your photo will be waiting for you to pick up as you depart the area. In the Shepherd’s Field, you can pet and feed the miniature donkeys, sheep and Naomi the Camel!
The entrance to the nativity field is at the corner of 2nd St. and Church Ave., right next to the First Baptist Church sanctuary. Parking is available in the church parking lot.
This celebration of the birth of Jesus includes Angels, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, the three Magi and Shepherds. 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.
As visitors depart the shepherd’s field, children receive a candy cane and learn the Christian story behind its invention.
The church provides cookies, coffee or hot chocolate! If the weather turns cold, there are fire pits to gather around to keep warm. Each night there will be live singing and music courtesy of the First Baptist Church music ministry.
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 through 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 35 years ago when the church started the Live Nativity. Although Dr. B has passed on, all the animals still come from the Rockin’ BAB Ranch in DeFuniak Springs. Josh Nelson, Dr. B’s former ranch manager and now the Rockin’ BAB owner, has continued Dr. B’s legacy of providing the animals for the Live Nativity.
For more information on First Baptist’s free gift to the community, visit fbcfwb.org.
