JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Westside Baptist Church has brought Bethlehem to Jacksonville once again with its living drive-thru nativity scene.
The realistic experience has drawn at least 50,000 visitors since the idea came to life five years ago.
The church wanted to create something that would draw people and keep them safe during the pandemic.
“It was so wonderfully successful the first year that we realized this is something our community really wanted, and so we’ve continued it year after year,” Worship pastor Lee Tomlin told News4JAX.
This year’s experience started on Thursday, Dec. 12, and will continue through Sunday, Dec. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The church built a bustling village filled with merchants, townspeople, artisans and dozens of live animals to recreate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Every element is real — down to the food.
Lots of volunteers spend weeks building and setting up the town. There were also rehearsals to make sure the story was told well.
Melissa Laroschelle said she has played a lot of roles to help everything come together.
"I’ve directed scenes. I help behind the scenes. I’ve been in Bethlehem every year," Laroschelle said. “I get to see the other scenes and how the magic comes to life, and how we get to tell the story of the birth of Christ in every aspect.”
The line begins at Ed White High School at 1700 Old Middleburg Road North.
Take a look at last year’s experience: