By Shelley Bennett
Photos provided by Christina Andersen
One of the highlights of last year’s Christmas season was the drive through live Nativity at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Richmond Road. Some friends from school and I got together to take in this new event, and we were in awe of the beautiful production.
From the music to the lights to the scenes set before us, we were surprised and amazed at every turn. Most heartwarming though, was seeing our students (past and present) and their families in the portrayal of the birth of Jesus Christ.
I was especially overcome with emotion with I recognized Becky (Lee) Hubbard with her husband BJ and baby son Benson in the iconic scene of the manger in Bethlehem. I wasn’t surprised to learn that this was the brainchild of Becky’s sister Christina.
Becky says that they were trying to think of something to do during Covid. Their usual Christmas dinner was out, and church members also wanted to include the community somehow. Christina remembered a live Nativity they had participated in, and the idea formed from there. She remembers the feeling it brought and had always wished it could be continued.
Becky recalls “jumping up and down” when she heard Christina’s vision. She says, “This is the kind of stuff our dreams are made of, working together to create something beautiful.” But the event was only six weeks away.
Christina says she was “very motivated and impressed in that instant to put a great amount of time and effort into creating a new event to be remembered.” She also mentioned that “Becky, being the Christmas princess, she is” was totally on board (Becky’s birthday is on December 25th) and their husbands agreed to “jump in feet first with all [their] extravagant ideas.”
Christina’s husband Tim built all of the sets last year, costumes were borrowed, and everything came together in time for opening night. Christina says, “It’s hard to remember how it happened so quickly, but with God nothing is impossible.”
They were both overwhelmed with the incredible turn out last year. If you went, you will remember the line of cars and headlights down Richmond Road. Becky said they expected about five cars every fifteen minutes, but it quickly became apparent that the Sheriff’s department would have to be called in to assist with traffic control.
Christina added that she was “grateful and humbled” as she realized “what God had been planning and it was so much bigger and beautiful than [she] ever imagined.” In the days that followed, Christina received many messages of thanks and appreciation for the sense of love and light brought to many hearts as they drove through the Nativity.
The two sisters have something even bigger and better planned for this year. To start, they have added a scene from Luke 2:1-3 portraying Mary and Joseph’s humble home where you will them preparing their donkey and preparing to travel.
There will actually be two sweet donkeys in this year’s Nativity scene, along with new songs, more angels, and candy canes for the little ones at the end of the experience. The camels will also be highlighted with a constant spotlight at the end so you can linger a little and admire them.
A team of twelve main directors and around thirty volunteers have stepped in to help donate supplies, play a role, sew a costume, or lend a hand. Christina is grateful for everyone who has volunteered to take part in bringing the experience back again.
It must be noted that Christina is in the midst of planning this production while about eight months pregnant. As Becky joked, “Christina’s always saying, let’s make this as authentic as possible, I told her this is your chance.”
You can take in this wonderful event on Saturday 12/18, Sunday 12/19, and Monday 12/19 7:00-8:00 each evening. If you are in line by 8:00, you will be able to see the show. I would recommend accessing Richmond Road from Hwy 395 and driving the loop to make your way to the LDS church. There are some amazing Christmas lights along the way.
Thank you Christina for sharing your vision with our community and to Becky, Tim, and BJ for supporting her in full force. New traditions can be beautiful, and it was something I needed last year to get in the Christmas spirit.
Remember when news was ‘newsy’? When you read about weddings, family events and engagement announcements in the newspaper? If you have something that might be newsworthy, please submit it to [email protected] and I’ll do my best to include it here in “The Good Stuff.”
