Experience the reason for the season: Clifton’s Immanuel Lutheran Church offers drive-through live nativity depicts Jesus’ birth and life Dec. 21
CLIFTON – Christmas is not just a national holiday but is rather a day observed and celebrated around the world with many different customs and traditions that often vary from family to family. Older generations recount memories from the past and stories of their youth, and families and friends share love and laughter as they come together for holiday festivities.
Clifton’s Immanuel Lutheran Church concentrates on the most important story in Christianity – the birth and life of Christ. Each year they share the story in the form of a spectacular live nativity called “The Perfect Gift,” because through his death and resurrection, Jesus defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil. And in trusting him as the savior, people need not fear death, because God gives his children the gift of eternal life – the Perfect Gift.
This year “The Perfect Gift” is scheduled for Dec. 21 from 6–9 p.m. located at 911 W. 3rd, Clifton. For more information, please call 254-675-3281. The impressive, incredible evening engages about 80 congregation members and friends.
And many, many more work behind the scenes making décor, sewing costumes, bringing in the chickens, goats, sheep, donkeys and camels and hauling in the over 40 round bales that lined the route and 90 square bales as part of the biblical scenes. And not to forget the technical aspect – by utilizing a QR code on smart phones – of the audio narration the visitors in the cars listen to as they drive by the 13 scenes. There are volunteers present to explain how it all works.
This wondrous, ever expanding live nativity is the church’s way to share the love of Jesus’ in the Christmas season. Drivers are encouraged to line up on West Third Street to enter the nativity entrance on North Avenue J. Cars should proceed slowly in single file through eight scenes, and exit right onto West Third Street. The very last scene depicts Jesus’ resurrection scene and the empty tomb with a magnificently lighted angel announcing that Jesus was no longer dead, but alive.
As the Bible puts it: “And the angel answered and said unto them, Fear not, for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28:5-6)
Through his death and resurrection, Jesus defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil. And when trusting Jesus as savior, people need not fear death, because God gives his children the free gift of eternal life here and now, life that continues in eternity with him in heaven.
Historically, Immanuel Lutheran was the German Lutheran church amongst the Norwegian Lutheran churches in the community. Where language was the difference maker in the past, today the church is considered the more conservative Lutheran church, taking the Scriptures more literally and remaining unchanging in the face of contemporary culture.
In that vein, in a world of increased commercialization surrounding Christmas time, the church’s Christmas production is primarily to get Jesus’ gospel out to the public. And they do it in a very special and big way that is enjoyed by people all around Clifton.
“We pray that this experience will be a blessing to you and your family as we all pause during this busy season to focus on the true meaning of Christmas,” the introduction to the Live Nativity tour The Perfect Gift states.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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Immanuel Church has been doing this for a number of years and we have been to each year’s presentation. It never fails to reinforce the message of God’s love for man.