A Nativity to Remember

King of Kings Lutheran Church presents a free live nativity December 8 and 9.

As we gather to decorate Christmas trees and purchase presents for loved ones, King of Kings Lutheran Church calls us all to remember the purpose of the Christmas season: to ­celebrate the birth of Christ. In an effort to carry out this ­mission, King of Kings will be presenting a live nativity scene on Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 9 at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.  

    Complete with costumed actors, sheep, camels, a donkey and a stable, the live nativity depicts the story of Christ’s birth from the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary through the arrival of the three wise men. Pastor Rick Tabisz will narrate the Christmas story while the actors illustrate the journey, ­conflicts and celebration that the family experiences. At the end of the presentation, audience members are invited to sing “Silent Night” and warm up with hot cocoa and fresh cookies while petting the animals and visiting with the cast.  

    The presentation itself will last for approximately 30 minutes, and it is performed despite the plunging temperatures. Seating is provided, but Pat Bartley, co-chair of the public relations committee, urges ­spectators, “Please dress ­appropriately and bring blankets. The metal bleachers are very cold.” The live nativity takes place on 13 acres located on the southeast side of Highway 75 and 151st Street in Glenpool. Please arrive approximately 20 minutes in advance to find ­seating. Porta-Potties will also be available.

    This is the sixth year that King of Kings Lutheran Church has put on the live nativity. “We are a missionary church,” Bartley says. “This is our small way of sharing Christ’s love with the community.” King of Kings is a small church with a congregation of 120 members; the church begins setting up committees in the early fall to prepare for the event. Whether participants are actors or supervising parking, every member plays a vital role in the live nativity. “It literally takes us all,” Bartley says. “Our goal is to capture the feel of our Savior’s birth. It isn’t about ­commercialization; it is about the simplicity and the joy of the occasion.”    

    This project is free to the community, and is a relatively large endeavor for such a small church. Funding comes from both the congregation and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, an organization that does much more than offer financial services. They also offer outreach opportunities that enable members to help their communities and congregations. “The entire presentation is a ­testament to the season. The ­volunteerism that it requires is truly indicative of the Christmas spirit,” Bartley mentions.

    In addition to the live ­nativity, all are also invited to ­visit King of Kings Lutheran Church for Sunday services at 9 a.m. and a Bible study at 10:30 a.m. 

For more information, contact

King of Kings Lutheran Church

14023 S. Casper

Glenpool, OK 74033

(918) 291-2005

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