A gift to the community

An outdoor Living Nativity Celebration is scheduled for two nights on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, adding joy to the 2020 holiday season.

This production is the work of many church members, as well as community volunteers.

This year’s Confirmation Class is setting out more than 500 luminaries lining the sidewalks and the driveway. The Live Nativity is a first-time event for the church.

The dates for the outdoor Living Nativity are Sunday, Dec. 20, and Friday, Dec. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The children’s cast will perform from 5:30 to 6 p.m., with the adults performing from 6 to 7 p.m.

The event will be held in the parking lot in front of the main church doors. Handicap parking will be available in the lot on the east side of the church, accessed from Park Place. Other visitors are asked to park on the streets.

“We want to gift the larger community, not just our congregation, with a unique and safe observance of the season, and we hope that everyone will want to come and see and take some pictures,” said John Redman, Elder at The First Presbyterian Church in Goshen.

‘The message of Christmas’

Members of the congregation will dress in period costume to recreate the scene in Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born. They will be joined by live animals, including sheep, goats, donkey and, on Dec. 24, a camel.

Jonathan Hall, Minister of Music at the First Presbyterian Church, with a group of socially distanced singers in Victorian dress, will sing Christmas carols, as visitors take in the scene.

“The people of Goshen and surrounding areas need the message of Christmas more than ever,” Hall said. “Our wish is that the Live Nativity will inspire them with deep reverence for the past as well as gratitude for the present and hope for the future. Plus, it will be great fun to see the animals and hear the music.”

Modified Christmas Eve service

Also, a modified version of the traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held inside the church at 7:30 p.m., with appropriate social distancing.

After each entering congregant receives a candle, quiet time in the holiday adorned church will allow for reflection on the true meaning of Christmas, followed by lighting the Advent candles, readings of the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke, a short message from the pulpit, followed by Communion, using individual packaged elements.

Deacons will move through the congregation lighting candles, each from one to another as the overhead lights are dimmed, with “Silent Night” playing on the organ. After a Christmas benediction, people file out.

“The outdoor Living Nativity will be an awesome experience in person and we hope you and your family will take the time to focus on the true reason for this glorious season,” said Redman.

Masks are required to attend the Live Nativity and the Christmas Eve Church Candlelight Service.

Thank yous

The First Presbyterian Church would like to thank John and Donna Coco, owners of the Mountain Honey Bee Farm in Wantage, N.J., for donating the use of sheep, goats and Bob the Donkey, including transporting them back and forth for the two nights and a thank-you to the Dawn Animal Shelter and Farm in Westtown for the live camel and another sheep.