JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Living Nativity at Westside Baptist Church was back in Jacksonville for its 2023 edition — and let me tell you: it was truly a magical experience!
I got to visit the beautiful live nativity scene during their hectic opening night, and I am very excited to share it with you.
Make sure to watch the video above for an inside look at this amazing event!
I also had the opportunity to talk to some of the volunteers behind this nativity scene.
“Our message is that Jesus is the reason for the season,” Lee Tomlin, Worship Pastor at Westside Baptist Church, said.
It takes over 300 volunteers, around 30 animals, and a whole lot of Christmas cheer to make this free event possible for the community.
And if you’re wondering: yes, the line to enter is typically long. But it goes by fast, especially if you’re playing some holiday songs and drinking hot cocoa while you wait.
“I’m usually at the very end, and sometimes I’ll apologize to people for the long wait, but they always say ‘no, it was worth it,’” Senior Pastor Keith Russell said.
And Pastor Russell is right. The wait is worth it.
This free community event was held from Dec. 7 to Dec. 9. It was originally scheduled to end on Dec. 10, but unfortunately, the weather had other plans and the event was cut short.
If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry — we have the full experience for you to watch whenever, wherever.
And you know, time flies these days... which means 2024 will be here before we know it, and so will the 2024 edition of the Living Nativity at Westside Baptist Church. I’m so looking forward to it!
Happy Holidays!