KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Sunday evening, the Church Circle Churches presented the 9th edition of their annual Living Nativity spectacle.

Collaboratively organized by First Baptist Church and First Broad Street United Methodist Church, the event offered both drive-through and walk-through experiences, reenacting iconic moments from the inaugural Christmas in Bethlehem.

Jimmie Miller from First Baptist shared with News Channel 11 that a multitude of volunteers from the congregations donned traditional biblical attire and commenced scene preparations in the early afternoon.

The portrayal included the Holy Family, celestial angels, bustling merchants, watchful shepherds, Roman centurions, and the wise men. Visitors also encountered a variety of biblical animals, such as sheep, horses, a donkey, and even a camel.

During the drive-through, attendees observed the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus—situated in a rustic stable, with Mary tenderly wrapping Jesus in swaddling clothes, capturing the essence of the birth of Christ.

A couple of drive-through visitors, Caroline Hensley and Noah Riddle, said it was their first time visiting the nativity to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

“The true meaning of Christmas to us is Jesus and the reason of the season is his birth,” Hensley said. “We’re excited to be here and share that and I think it’s such a great event that Church Circle has put on for the community of Kingsport.” 

Miller added a choir of angels singing to drivers, and a prayer tent invited visitors to light a candle to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

“There’s a prayer tent and everyone is invited to light a candle and take a candle with them,” Miller said. “There are angels and they’re on risers and they sing constantly.”

Another family of visitors, Skye, Cendal and Callie Twitty said it was their first time visiting the nativity located in Kingsport and were excited to see the first Christmas Day in live action.

“We wanted to see the story about the first Christmas and learn about everything,” Skye Twitty said. “And to see how Jesus was born,” Callie Twitty added.

Miller said the goal is for the churches to remind those of the true meaning of Christmas.

“We hope that they are reminded about the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate Christmas and to know that there are churches in our community that would love to have them,” Miller said.