Perry Twp. church's live Nativity at Richville Park expands this year

PERRY TWP. − On Dec. 8, members of New Way United Methodist Church will do their best to replicate what the Rev. Keith Brown calls "A Hallmark movie."

The church will host its second "Christmas in the Park" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Richville Park at 6655 Navarre Road SW.

"Last year was our first year," Brown said. "We were so overwhelmed with people coming out. We're much more prepared this year."

Church dinners: A 'New Way' to minister: Dinner Church starts Sunday in Perry Township

Last year, the free outdoor event drew about 350 people, said Jennifer Brown, the pastor's wife, who added that they made 250 cookie bags to hand out, but "they were gone in the first 45 minutes."

"We're trying to re-create a Hallmark movie," Rev. Brown said with a laugh. "We'll have hot chocolate, cookies and Santa. We also chose a Friday night, right after work. We've also extended the hours."

This year's event also will feature a "balloon forest" of inflatables, and free photos with Santa.

"And we're making more cookies; more than 2,000," Jennifer Brown added with a laugh.

Rev. Brown said church members are doing everything, from setup to taking roles in the Nativity. They're also decorating the park's gazebo for the holidays.

Help for hungry: Stark Blessing Box Initiative provides food around Stark County

Throughout the year, New Way UMC also uses Richville Park for other events, including vacation Bible school and concerts.

"It's just fun for us to get together," he said. "We've been planning this for months. We have at least 30 people helping. This year, we did ask Perry Police to come out and help us with traffic."

Brown said the event also will feature a reading of the Christmas story from the Bible over a loudspeaker every 15 minutes, as well as live music.

Although the Nativity is "live," it won't include an actual baby because of the weather.

"We were discussing that at our last meeting when someone said 'We don't need a baby because (Jesus) hasn't been born yet,'" Rev. Brown said with a laugh. "We always look to try to do something different than what everyone else is doing."

"Christmas in the Park" also will feature live animals, including a camel - something Brown said he wanted last year.

"Last year, we had sheep and cows," he said. "I found a petting zoo, so we'll have llamas, three fuzzy cows, a camel, pigs and horses from the Traveling Acres Petting Zoo in Bellville."

Catholic church's Nativity collection They have Nativities ... and then some

Ancient church tradition

The tradition of the Nativity scene goes back to 400 A.D., when carved images illustrating the birth of Jesus adorned stone coffins of Christians in Rome.

Depictions of the Nativity are important icons in Byzantine Catholic and Orthodox churches because they underscore Mary's identity as the "Theotokos," the one who gave birth to God incarnate.

Depending on the country and culture, elements of a Nativity scene almost always include barn animals, in keeping with the narrative that Jesus was born in a stable; shepherds, who were the first people informed of Jesus' birth, according to Luke's gospel; angels; and three Magi, or wise men, though Matthew's gospel states they first encountered Jesus in a "house."

According to the National Catholic Reporter, St. Francis of Assisi, inspired by a previous pilgrimage to the Holy Land, created the first Nativity display in 1223 for a Christmas Mass in Greccio, Italy.

Greccio itself became a place of pilgrimage after Francis' Natvity scene was credited with a number of miracles.

Jennifer Brown said "Christmas in the Park" will take place rain or shine, unless the weather becomes too severe.

Visitors who post their photos online with the hashtag #newwaychristmas will be eligible for a $50 gift card drawing.

"We're trying to create a very magical, Hallmark night and an opportunity for neighbors to come together," she said. "Last year, it just had a nice spirit with neighbors smiling and laughing. It's just nice being together like that."

Rev. Brown said the ultimate goal is to convey the message of Christmas.

"We hope they walk away with having heard the story of the birth of Jesus," he said. "Hopefully, if they haven't thought of church or being connected to one, we hope they'll consider us. We've done several things down at the park. We're trying to be in and part of the community."

Contact the church for more information at 330-484-1136.

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: New Way UMC in Perry Twp. to expand live Nativity in Richville Park