The first person one met after passing through the gates of Bethlehem was a shepherd. He had just penned his stock and was leaned against a fence rail. After engaging him in casual conversation, the topic turned to the event which brought the evening’s gathering together. 

“It is just nice,” he offered, “to contribute to the true meaning of Christmas.”

With that comment, Lindale resident Larry McFadden summed up the feeling which was shared by all who participated in the Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church living nativity. 

Living nativities appear to be a type of celebration and reverence which, once common, have largely passed from the seasonal celebration of Christmas. Efforts to locate a living nativity within Wood County came up empty. In the vicinity, only the Emory United Methodist and Mt. Sylvan Baptist churches produced living nativities. 

While many people will relate the term living nativity to a presentation of a stable with the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds and the three wise men, the congregation at Mt. Sylvan expanded on that view considerably.

On the beautiful, sloping property just west of the church they had re-created features of Bethlehem, complete with a Christmas star, community bonfire, carpenters’ shop, market, village well, the three wise men, and of course the stable housing the Holy Family.

The LED-lighted driving path led up a gentle hill at the crest of which was offered hot chocolate and cookies to the visitors. Along the way visitors passed by the various stations of the recreated village. As the automobiles looped back down the hill, they were greeted by the wise men. The drive culminated in experiencing a moment with those representing the Holy Family. 

Along the path, well-considered placards, which included biblical references, summarized the historical event that has become known as Christmas.

Pastor Bruce Rudd, now entering his second decade in the leadership of the church, spoke freely about the volunteerism, activism and ministries which shape the church.

“God has certainly had his hand on this community for a long time,” he stated. Rudd explained that since it’s founding in 1878, there has not been a single division or break of unity within Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church. 

He related how the congregation works to build a multi-generational family within the church, using the Bible as their guide. 

“We let God adjust the balance as He sees fit,” Rudd said with assurance.

That framework is proving to be quite successful, as the church will soon be breaking ground on a new church building. Capacity will be doubled to 450 churchgoers.

A prayer was said before the event opened on a recent Friday night. It was asked that the hearts of those who came to visit would be touched; that the visitors would see the love of Jesus on the volunteers’ faces, in their words and action; and that the Holy Spirit who be sent to work among them.

Once the participants were in their places, the drive-in lane was opened. 

At the market station, volunteers Carla Dodgen and Jan Simmons remarked that the event was important to remind everyone that Christmas was not legend or folklore, but a true event based on historical fact. The ladies also commented on the powerful impression it can make on children.

“You never know what youthful memories shape a child,” they commented.

Among the three wise men – Brian Simmons, Mike Barker and Shawn Wilson – the talk was mostly about family, both their own families and the larger church family.

“One thing about this church,” noted Simmons “is that their prayers are real. If someone says they are praying for you, you can count on it.”

The sentiments of Stephanie and James Bond manning the village well, and those at the stable – Donna Brooks, Debbie Harney, Kirk Lusk and Madalyn Rudd – mirrored many of the same sentiments. A couple of visitors were queried about the value of such an event and they gladly stopped traffic flow to express their positive impressions.

Perhaps the most lasting sentiment of the evening, however, came from volunteer Ted Labatte, who was manning the carpenter’s shop. When asked to comment about the living nativity, he responded, “I work to be a little bit more like Jesus every day.”

Event organizers Cindy Hobbs and Peggy Erb, Pastor Rudd and all the volunteers at Mt. Sylvan Baptist Church gifted local residents a message of gratitude, hope and power represented by Christmas.