The Live Nativity will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Mineral Wells
MINERARL WELLS—The year was 1969 and the country was divided. Race riots were frequent as were protests over the Vietnam War.
If ever the country needed a reminder of what Christmas was all about, it was then.
The Pathfinders Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Wells decided they could bring the reason for the season to life, at least in this little corner of the world. So they went to work.
The women began sewing costumes and the men set about building a stable, a stable fit for a King. The first Live Nativity was taking shape.
Dates were selected. The event was to be held on the lawn of the church and was visible from NE First Street, right behind the Baker Hotel.
Hay was hauled in. A manger was constructed. A baby doll was purchased along with a baby blanket. Someone was appointed to do the makeup.
Others were in charge of making sure the right costume got on the right character. And someone was appointed to check the schedule and make sure each set of characters was on time for their shift.
But it wouldn’t be a Methodist function without food! So everyone in the church was asked to bring Christmas goodies and the ladies promised to keep the coffee, hot chocolate and the wassail pots full. Wassail is a hot drink that’s traditionally served in a large bowl at Christmastime. It’s made with wine, beer, or cider, spices, sugar and usually baked apples.
The first night came. The children of the church donned angel costumes, and the adults wore the costumes of Mary, Joseph, wise men and shepherds. The shepherds carried shepherd staffs and the wise men wore crowns and brought gifts. The angels had their wings and halos.
Makeup was applied, the schedule was checked, the music was started, the spotlights came on and lit up the stable and the first set of characters took their places. A Mineral Wells Christmas tradition came to life.
There was a learning curve of course. Like learning that the angel stand on top of the stable was not a good place to be when the wind was high. The costumes did not keep one warm. It was probably not a good idea to hold it in the rain. And never, never try to have live animals.
A few years ago the premise was changed to go along with the nativity story and this may be viewed from the north end of NE First Avenue. The Christmas story is read through the sound system as the characters take their places and carols are sung along with the story. Each showing lasts about 20 minutes.
Seats will be available along with hot chocolate and cookies. Bring your children and let them learn the true meaning of Christmas.
This year the Live Nativity will be held on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6-8 p.m. Let this become a part of your Christmas traditions.
Through the years new costumes have been made and of course a new stable or two. Church members have come and gone, along with most of the members of the Pathfinders but the Live Nativity lives on in Mineral Wells. 2024 will be the 55th showing of the Live Nativity.
