Oakland Baptist Church presents the story of Christmas
WARNER ROBINS -- Oakland Baptist Church will present the story of Christmas for all to come and see during its live nativity productions Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Presentations are 7 p.m. at the church at 1509 Russell Parkway. Admission is free.
"It's a way for us to serve the Lord and be a blessing to the community," said Lucile Allen, who directs the presentation. "We work all year toward this because we want to do what we can to give God our best. We also fit in an Easter pageant each year."
Allen said she had directed about 20 live nativity productions that the church has done over the years.
Each year, she said, the intent is the same.
"It's hard to put in words, but we want to let people know what Christmas really is -- what it's really all about," Allen said. "You know, it's getting to where some people don't actually know. We want everyone to know clearly and plainly about Jesus's birth and why he came."
Allen said the live nativity features a cast of 30 actors with 75 to 100 others in support activities.
Plus she said there's an array of sheep, goats and donkeys.
And one camel.
"A lot of the people in the nativity have done it quite a few years," she said. "They say at the end of each year, 'I want to do that again next year.' Then there are always new people who want to be involved. I guess that's a great problem to have, figuring out where people can help. Our pastor is very supportive of the project and plays the inn keeper who turns Mary and Joseph away in Bethlehem because there's no room at the inn."
Oakland's pastor, Mike Winfree, said the nativity production's message is timeless and needed as much today as ever.
"With so much violence in the day in which we're living, people need a picture of peace and hope," he said. "There's no better picture of that than the birth of Jesus Christ. We're pleased to be able to present that picture to the community through the live nativity free of charge."
And he said there is always room at nativity performances and at the church itself for those who want to come find out about the child who was born at Christmas.
Attendance may be free at performances, as Winfree said, but Allen said it costs upwards of $8,500 each year to put the nativity play on. She said money is raised for the project through fundraisers and through donations from individuals who believe in the project.
And in the family enjoyment it provides.
"It's not just a drop-by to have a look and then leave nativity scene," Allen said. "It's a genuine, 40-minute performance. It begins with the angel announcing to Mary she's been chosen the give birth to Jesus and ends with shepherds and wise men coming to worship him. To me, it's a pretty thorough telling of the story. It's done mostly through narration and music with the performers acting out events."
Allen said most of the animals on hand are available for children to pet. She said the camel often is not. "He's there for all to see but we have to be more careful with him," she said. "He spits."
Allen said last year 1,600 people attended showings over the three nights. She said this year they're hoping for 2,000 to attend.
Allen said people should come early to the outdoor performance if they want seating or the best standing room. She said some seating will be reserved Friday for residents of several area nursing homes.
Parking is at the church with overflow parking available across Russell Parkway at the Houston County Career Academy. Buses and carts will be available to transport guests from parking to the performance site beside the church.
She said hot chocolate and coffee will be served each night.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
Oakland Baptist Church Live Nativity
Address: 1509 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, Ga.
Phone: (478) 923-3533
Leadership: Lucile Allen, director
Times: Oct. 11-13, 7 p.m.
Website: www.oaklandwr.com
This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 10:40 PM with the headline "Oakland Baptist Church presents the story of Christmas ."