Giving people the glimpse of the “true meaning of Christmas,” is what Alice Roth, an organizer with North Mentor Centenary United Methodist Church said she hopes people get from visiting the living nativity scene which has become a tradition at their church for the past 52 years. Visitors gather around to witness the living nativity put on by North Mentor Centenary United Methodist Church. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Each year, donkeys, sheep and church members rally together to dress up as their versions of the Virgin Mary and Joseph inside the stable where Christians believe Jesus was born. They pose for visitors up to two hours at a time as the origins of Christmas are told through a hidden loudspeaker. Church members pose as sheep eat alfalfa during a living nativity in Mentor. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Donkeys and church members pose during North Mentor Centenary United Methodist Church live nativity. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) Roth, who took over organizing the tradition several years ago, said that they have fallen into a rhythm when the time comes to break out the fake beards and baby Jesus. “It’s going well, we have our animals out there and, knock on wood, they are behaving themselves,” Roth said in the basement of the church during their event on Dec. 20. “We had a few spots to fill in, and people stepped up for it.” When asked how they have kept the event going for so long, she said that it’s been hard during some years, but they have found ways to adapt and plan to keep going for as long as possible. “It’s been difficult at times,” Roth said. “During COVID we did a drive-thru only with no animals so people did not get out of the car. But we’ve been keeping it going. Sometimes, when it gets bitter cold, we close it down when no one’s coming… but as long as there’s a church here I’m hoping it keeps going. “This is a very small church, and we do a lot of mission things,” she added. “We did a toy pantry this year, which we helped 92 families which was 193 children. And we do a food pantry once a month, and that was earlier today, so it’s been an exhausting day for some people.” Roth said that her favorite part of the event was watching the reaction of kids during their first time visiting, and that she has to remind herself to take a step back in order to see it with fresh eyes. “Instead of just reading the story, this brings it to life.” Roth said. “Adults do it for an hour, the children do it for a half hour, or if it’s nice and they want to they stay out… everyone just does what they can.” “This is the reason for the season, this is what it’s all about, it’s not commercial and to just keep that going is what this church needs to do and people need to come and see it,” Roth continued. “It’s wonderful to see parents out there as they are listening to the nativity story, explaining it to their kids, or people bring their babies and they lay them in there. We’ve had that a lot.” Photos from past years are lined up in the basement of North Mentor Centenary United Methodist Church. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald) North Mentor Centenary United Methodist Church, located at 9290 Lakeshore Blvd,. will be holding a special needs Easter egg hunt during the week before Palm Sunday. More information on their monthly missions and events can be found on their website, northmentorumc.org. ...read more read less