LIVE NATIVITY — The Starkdale Presbyterian Church in Steubenville will hold its 14th-annual Live Nativity event beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday. The performance will be held every half hour, with the final showing to take place at 7:30 p.m. A live nativity will include a camel, and guests can enjoy refreshments in the fellowship hall following each performance. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The 14th-annual Live Nativity at Starkdale Presbyterian Church will take place Sunday.

Six presentations will be offered, repeated every half-hour beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing through the final performance at 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to choose a time that suits their schedules, organizers announced.

The Live Nativity is an indoor/outdoor production about the birth of Jesus, followed by an opportunity to pet animals, including a camel.

Refreshments can be enjoyed inside the church fellowship hall. The Rev. Carl Moore, pastor of Starkdale, will be on site to welcome and visit with guests.

Jane Gambos, who has directed the play since it began 14 years ago, stated, “I have been blessed to be a part of this event from its inception. The Live Nativity has become a tradition for many Ohio Valley families, which allows them to take time out of the busy holiday season and direct their hearts and minds to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.”

“What better way to emphasize Christ in Christmas than to recount the event of his birth?” Gabos asked. “Our church views the Live Nativity as our gift to the community.”

The journey will begin at the Bethlehem Inn, where guests will be greeted by the innkeepers, who will be portrayed by Suzanne Brown, Bob Kramer and Kathy Kramer.

The inn keepers will explain to the audience how there is no room at the inn because of Caesar Augustus’s order that everyone must register in his hometown. The innkeepers further explain how they had to turn away a young couple, and she, ready to have a baby.

Along with the innkeepers, centurion guards played by Brian Gambos and Eric Timmons, along with tax collectors portrayed by Gary and Jill Wickham, will be on hand to ensure everyone registers and pays their taxes, per Augustus’s order, Gambos explained.

Guests will be summoned by a shepherd, played by Tom Timmons, and then led through the streets of Bethlehem, which will serve as the church hallway. They will be led into the church sanctuary which will represent the field. Here, shepherd Michael Paris will begin his narration about the birth of Christ.

An angel, played by Glory Dami, appears to the crowd and sings “Mary Did You Know?” while shepherds Kevin Dennis and Pat Pendleton look on.

Brad Moore lends his voice in a solo performance and the Starkdale choir, led under the direction of Carolyn Glaub, will appear as a myriad of angels who sing Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”

Guests will be led outside where they will view the nativity scene. The scene consists of Mary, played by Abigail Kinney; Joseph, played by Brock Pendleton; and Jesus, lying in the manger.

Angels played by Amelia Ault, Lydia Battistel, Lucy Collaros and Mayelee Rawson, along with shepherds George Huber and Bob Musgrave, as well as live animals, will be at the manger scene.

The angels will continue the narration and lead the crowd in the singing of Christmas carols, Gambos said.

The Three Kings, portrayed by Bob Daily, Matt Emory and Dylan Pendleton, make an appearance and bear gifts to all in attendance.

Guests will be treated to homemade cookies and hot drinks following the performance. The refreshments were prepared by the Starkdale congregation.

Gambos explained the church anticipates another great turnout this year. Because of the number of people who have attended the event in years past, there will be a shuttle van available to accommodate a larger audience this year.

Parking and shuttle service will be available behind the Wintersville McDonald’s. A guest drop-off point, located near the inn in the upper-level parking lot, will be available.

For information about the presentations or other Starkdale activities, contact the church office at (740) 264-5309, visit starkdale.org or visit the church’s Facebook page.