There is nothing quite like watching families pet sheep, listening to angels giggle in wings too big, and hearing “Joy to the World” under December stars. A Live Nativity is holy, joyful chaos—and completely worth it! Here are 12 things we’ve learned that make it wonderful.

1. Book the animals early—really early.

Animals make the magic! Alpacas, goats, sheep, chickens—adorable, friendly, and budget-friendly. Book your petting zoo a year in advance. I’ve used Darlene Hicks from Barnyard Friends for three churches—she’s fantastic. Camels and donkeys are cool but expensive (and feisty). Sheep, goats, and a couple of alpacas work beautifully. This is a great meeting place for all ages and stages so give them a huge part of the grassy lot.

2. Get it on the church calendar and make it an all-skate.

We host on the first Sunday of December, 5–7pm. Teams arrive at 3pm for setup so we’re ready to welcome the community by 4:45pm.

3. Choose your space and theme.

Every church is different!
• Circular drive? → Drive-thru nativity with character stops
• Field? → Bethlehem village
• Bright lot with grass? → Multiple photo-ops and markets
This year we created a Bethlehem Marketplace with five themed booths, lights, power access, cookies, cocoa, and cider for guests. Last year we used Christmas In The Four Gospel Homes as inspiration for 4 booths representing Matthew/Family Photos, Mark/woodworking & made crosses, Luke were the live animals and craft station, John were the candles and various light lanterns to make.

4. Start sign-ups three months out.

Invite life/study groups to “own” a market, plan costumes (layered—it’s cold!), and pull in every age group. I confess to making multiple stops at the Bread Market for chunks of fresh bread.
Adults dressed in Bethlehem costumes with costume fun:
• Angels: 5th grade & younger
• Shepherds: 6th grade +
• Holy Family & Roman Soldiers & Lead Angel: Youth students
Two acting teams = four reenactments without exhaustion!

5. Bring in community music.

Between reenactments, invite choirs, duos, or school groups. This year we had:
• Church seasonal choir
• A guitar/singing duo we love
• Elementary school chorus (secular + Christmas movie favorites!)

6. Add a Family Photo Station.

A huge hit! Bright lights + balloon arch + backdrop + two Bluetooth printers = lines all night. Black photo frames made every picture keepsake-worthy. These pics fill social media for weeks!

7. Parking, safety, and hospitality matter.

Orange cones, right-turn-only entrance/exit, a deputy at the entrance, volunteers parking in the back—be a good neighbor. Luminaries with LED candles and ziploc bags of sand from my backporch sand box set along the curbs set a warm welcome and can be reused on Christmas Eve.

8. Multiple opportunities for student-led Agent projects.

High schoolers run attendance counters, sound booth with a coach, play the Luke 2 roles, set up hay bales, carry tables, assemble market frames, and light luminaries. They arrive early ready to serve—and they shine.

9. Visual unity makes everything look polished.

Wooden entrance frames for each market create a cohesive look. A skilled church member built ours, and a team workday set everything in place the Saturday before. But what goes on inside the shop is totally up to the life group with the understanding they are to have an interactive project, some teaching, and make space for a new friend in conversations.

10. Reenact Luke 2 every 30 minutes.

Middle school shepherds kneel; little angels race to the manger shouting “Glory!”; families sing “Joy to the World!” at the end. We rehearse for just 30 minutes after church that day—and it works.

11. Take LOTS of photos.

Capture animals, laughter, families, interactions across generations. Quick turnaround = fresh posts and future promo material.

12. Don’t just be friendly—be interested.

People come hoping to connect. Train teams to start lingering conversations:
• “What are you most excited for this Christmas?”
• “What do you think Bethlehem felt like 2,000 years ago?”
• “Where do you find hope this season?”
Listen well. Love well. Relationships start and go deeper in those moments.

Budget for animals, hay (65–70 bales), light towers, security, photo paper, cocoa, cider—and joy.
The next day, celebrate what God did. Send thank-yous, texts, calls. Ask your team: “Who did you meet?”

Listen to their stories, collect photos, save everything for next year, and praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

A Live Nativity is holy work wrapped in hay and giggly angels shouting, “Glory! Glory! Glory!” and completely worth it.

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go!” Luke 2:15