Zion Lutheran Church

Zion’s Live Nativity 2001

For Forty-one years Zion Lutheran Church has sponsored a live reenactment of the Nativity of our Lord. Each year, hundreds of people from the Bismarck/Mandan community experience the Christmas story as members of Zion make a public witness of the true meaning of Christmas.  Year after year, congregational members along with live farm animals portray the scene at the stable at the birth of Christ.   

The stable is made of straw bales.  Zion members, the local zoo and other community members have donated farm animals over the years.  The animals used have been a cow, a donkey, and sheep.

Over the years the stable has been located on the east side of the church building, in a local mall, and in it’s present location on the south parking lot.

Youth of the congregation along with adult members of the congregation portray the various characters in the nativity story.  Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and wise men are among those found at the stable.

 Members of the congregation provide cookies and hot chocolate for the participants in the nativity scene. Hot apple cider is available for visitors to the scene. Members of the congregation take care of the animals every night making sure that they get water and fed.

Visiting the manger and viewing the Christ Child.

A special thank you to all those who helped make Zion’s 41st Live Nativity a success. 

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