Hometown Brandon - Winter 2017

The Live
Natıvity
A Local Church’s
Christmas Tradition
Olivia Halverson
Millenniums have gone by since the
night a star shone brightly over Bethlehem,
illuminating the way for wise men and
shepherds to come and see the newborn
king. The gospels tell of a manger, a babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes and angels
singing, “Glory to God in the highest.”
The words practically jump off the bible
pages. The nativity story has never been
confined to the printed words in the gospels.
For centuries, people have brought the
scene to life through works of art and
live reenactments.
A Lutheran church sits on a corner lot
at the intersection of Old Brandon Road
and Crossgates Boulevard. Nestled among
tall pine trees, the brown building is humble.
However, during the Christmas season,
one can hardly drive by the church without
taking a moment to gaze at the star hung
on the front of the building.
Nativity Lutheran Church was given
its name by founding pastor Reverend
Tom Steele in reverence of Martin Luther’s
love for the Christmas story. The church
has gratified its namesake by portraying
a live nativity scene every first-weekend
in December for more than 25 years.
The annual live nativity scene has become
a community event and a Christmas
tradition for many families.
Ed Van Cleef, a charter member of
Nativity Lutheran Church has been a
main coordinator of the scene every year.
“The purpose of the event is to remind
folks what the real meaning of Christmas
is,” Van Cleef said. Members of the
congregation portray Mary, Joseph, the
22 • Winter 2017
Photography: Heather Stevens, Ed Van Cleef