Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church of Frankentrost (Saginaw) Mich., presented the 15th annual ”Living Nativity: A Journey to Bethlehem” over the weekend of December 2, 3, & 4, 2011.

Since 1997, more than 38,000 visitors have made their way to Bethlehem via this unique presentation of the familiar Christmas story.

Some fun facts include:

268 costumed cast members participated in 2011 with 93 helping from outside our congregation. Each night over 140 cast members presented, with a combined cast and crew of approximately 170 people. The ages of our volunteers over the years have ranged from 3 – 92 years old.

From start to finish, this year’s production took  approximately 300 volunteers -from rolling scrolls, mending costumes, baking cookies to building Bethlehem and cleaning-up.

2502 visitors kept Caesar Augusts’ census takers busy as they journeyed this year to be counted, listened to the shepherds tell of  the angel’s message, heared prophets recall ancient promises, and visited the town alive with villagers. Going from inn to stable, they heard and saw that God has come to us in human flesh—as a baby lying in a manger.

For more information about the 16th annual presentation for 2012, click here: 2012 Living Nativity Information