Sixth annual Living Nativity draws largest crowd ever

Angels, shepherds, three kings, a sheep, a goat and a donkey plus, of course, the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph were all part of the Living Nativity hosted by Community of Hope Church Saturday evening.

Church volunteers staged Maricopa’s sixth annual event in Jane Askew Park at the entrance to Rancho El Dorado.

While carolers sang, the story of Christ’s birth was presented on a rotating basis several times between 5 and 8 p.m. In between each staging, adults chatted while children could pet the animals. “Wow, that’s a really furry goat,” said one little girl. “Sheep,” corrected her older brother.

Approximately 900 guests were treated to 40 gallons of hot chocolate, apple cider, candy and 500 Christmas cookies. Children were able to visit a craft table to make a take home project, either an ornament or a bookmark.

“The preliminary count makes this our greatest turnout yet,” said Community of Hope’s pastor, Rusty Akers.

Many visitors said they were heading home to tell their neighbors to come by and see the pageant. “I can’t believe this is all free,” one visitor remarked.

As Community of Hope member and volunteer Jake Romero said previously, “It’s all about service without expecting anything in return. It’s about the real holiday spirit.”

Photos by Joyce Hollis