A Live Nativity . . . Sheep, Mules, and People

This year the Sugar City Stake Presidency asked the Communications Committee to put together a live nativity. The hope was to help the stake focus on Christ and to help lift the spirits of the community in what has been an unusual year.

After weeks of planning, a "stable" was built to go in the park in the middle of Sugar City. It includes a pen for sheep. Members of the stake arranged to have sheep kept in the backyard of a family down the street from the park. Each night a family from Newdale brings in two mules to tie to a tree next to the nativity.

It has been very cold so we bring propane heaters every night. Of course, there are lots of bales of straw around so we have to be careful where we put the open flames!

I recorded a section from Luke II with the background of the Hallelujah Chorus. We put it on a loop on an inexpensive mp3 player. I purchased a small FM transmitter that is typically used to broadcast music from a phone onto your car's radio. However, when plugged into DC power, the signal travels a few blocks.

Every night for two weeks, it is my job to help set up the heaters, music, and lights. Wards from the stake take a night and dress up in nativity attire for two hours from 6-8 p.m.

As of this writing, we are five days in. So far, so good. No major issues. I'm not sure how many people have driven by, but I think it has been fun for those taking part.

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Sam's Mission Memoirs

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