Airway Heights church hosts live nativity

People in the West Plains area have a new opportunity this holiday season thanks to the Airway Heights Baptist Church located at 12322 West Sunset Highway across from Zip's. The church is transforming its building into the streets of Bethlehem on Dec. 22 from 6 – 9 p.m.

It is not the typical nativity as it will be indoors and be interactive with hands-on experiences.

"This is our first year doing it," Chris Bovey, a pastor at the church, said. "We sent out 5,000 flyers in Airway Heights and around the West plains. Since this is the first year, we don't really know what to expect but we are just trying to get the word out at this point."

Around 35 volunteers from inside the church will be in costume throughout the whole night. The church will be set up with seven different markets that lead to the nativity scene. Some of the markets include pottery, painting, scribe, metal and a bakery.

"At each market, they do something interactive," Liz Bovey, Chris' wife said. "All the kids get to take their items home."

Some examples include painting an ornament, making a bowl and learning how to write in Hebrew. At each market, the volunteers will be leading the participants to the nativity scene and telling them about a new baby boy being born.

At the end, people will be at the nativity scene that leads to a live petting zoo that includes sheep, goats, rabbits, donkeys and possibly a pony. The provider of the animals brings all the food, so it is free to feed them.

There is going to be a waiting room where visitors can drink hot cocoa and sing carols before they are taken into Bethlehem. This way it won't feel so crowded when different groups enter the scene.

The church rooms will be lit up with candles instead of the typical lights. It will also be decorated with rugs and sheets to make it seem more real. The stable is going to be made out of pallets.

"We want it to feel like a whole different world, that is the goal," Liz Bovey said.

The Boveys found a nativity scene kit online and went from there in hosting the new event.

"We want to draw in the community," Chris Bovey said. "We wanted something new and different to bless the community and involve everyone."

One other feature to the event is there will be a photo booth to take pictures with your family and friends. The picture is free and can be emailed.

"Bring anybody, it is going to be a very family friendly event," Chris Bovey said. "If people show up and make it a success, I hope to make it a tradition and host it every year."

Grace Pohl can be reached at [email protected].