Festival of Nativities shares the spirit of Christmas

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on December 8, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Members of the community take part of the ninth annual Festival of Nativities Thursday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints next to the Enmax Centre.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inviting the community to take part in the annual Festival of Nativities this weekend at the church located next to the Enmax Centre.

With 700 nativities displayed in a variety of sizes, materials, designs and shapes there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Design team member Amanda Renaud told the Herald Thursday that this year – the ninth – is a record one for the festival which is showcasing the most nativities to date.

“We have 700 nativities on display this year; that is 200 more than last year,” said Renaud.

She said the festival is set in a way that those in attendance can walk around different rooms to enjoy the different types and styles, while listening to Christmas melodies.

“Also surrounding the displays are a depiction of his life through his miracles, his last week and his resurrection,” said Renaud.

She said the idea to include the rest of Christ’s life was inspired by a quote that states “there would be no Christmas if there wasn’t an Easter.”

“So we depict his whole life here, we celebrate this baby because of the life that he led,” said Renaud.

She said the church puts on the free festival every year to welcome everybody to feel the spirit of Christmas, with approximately 5,000 people attending each year.

Renaud explains the nativities are donated for a period of time by people to be displayed during the festival.

“There are nativities with Lego, there’s nativities that are thousands of dollars, and we just feel everybody can connect to the saviour through the nativities that are displayed,” said Renaud.

The festival runs today from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., with five concerts taking place during the festival, the first one taking place tonight at 7 p.m., two on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and two on Sunday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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