A Religious Experience From Your Car

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pierce County is holding its second annual living nativity scene full of carols, kings, and camels Saturday night from 4 till 8:30. You watch the unique night from your car while tuned to 88.9 to hear the Story of Jesus’ birth. 

 

Within the first thirty minutes of opening Friday night, the church’s property had 50 cars drive through the scene, some from as far away as South Dakota.

 

As cars roll up, a guard welcomes them to Bethlehem. Then drivers pass an innkeeper who is too full for guests. Move up a bit and there the stable itself is staged: Mary rocks a baby surrounded by breathing versions of every statue animal you have in your porcelain nativity set.

 

Then, a group of carolers dressed up as angels serenades drivers until they come to the final stop, where we met one of the organizers, Kelli Koepke.

 

"Christmas is about the birth of Jesus," she said. "When you see a kid's eyes light up and they wonder is that really baby Jesus? That's Christmas spirit."

 

Note that St. John’s address on Google Maps is wrong — to get there, go to the junction of 98 and 81, then go toward 98 for a couple of miles.