LAUREL HILL — A Dec. 7 "journey to Bethlehem" won't take visitors over an arduous desert trail like the one undertaken 2,000 years ago.
But it will help attendees experience more personally the wondrous drama that unfolded before Jesus' birth, organizers of the fourth annual Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church Living Nativity said.
The Living Nativity, which starts at 6 p.m., will remain open until 8:30 p.m. to accommodate visitors who also want to attend the 5:30 p.m. Crestview Main Street Christmas parade, the Rev. Mark Broadhead said.
"Families can enjoy the fun of the Main Street parade (and) then 'follow the star' to Laurel Hill to experience the spiritual side of Christmas," Broadhead said. "We're only a 16-minute drive north of Winn-Dixie."
As guests follow a candlelit path winding around the historic 1905 Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church's yard, they will encounter actors portraying the holy family.
New to this year's nativity program are the three wise men, Broadhead said, who join Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, King Herod and an Imperial Roman census worker in sharing the Christmas story.
Fellowship and refreshments follow each visitor's journey.
As the event grows, Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian church members who produce the program welcome help from other denominations' members, organizers said.
This year, students and adults from First Baptist and Magnolia Baptist Churches of Laurel Hill; and Live Oak Baptist and the First United Methodist Churches of Crestview will perform roles and help run the event.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Laurel Hill Living Nativity with music, fellowship and refreshments
WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 7
WHERE: Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, 8115 Fourth St., Laurel Hill. Parking is at the Laurel Hill School track north of the church.
DETAILS: 682-2835
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4th annual Laurel Hill living nativity set for Dec. 7