By Steve Summers and Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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MACHESNEY PARK — Riverside Community Church wants to take people back in time this weekend to experience the first Christmas.

The church’s drive-thru live Nativity scene is back this year after being canceled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The display, held outside the church at 6816 N. Second St., features about 45 characters — both human actors and animals. Among the live animals are donkeys, sheep, camels, goats and lambs.

“Just seeing the story of Christmas helps people understand what God did that first Christmas, when he sent his son to be born in a smelly manger,” Pastor Bob Sheets said on This Week in the Stateline. “I think people get a good idea of what it might have been like that night in Bethlehem.”

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This is the ninth year for the A Night in Bethlehem live Nativity scene, which is presented for free.

“It’s a crazy time of the year, people get busy,” Sheets said. “We just want to give them the chance to slow down for a few moments and experience the true picture of Christmas as a gift from us.”

Cars typically line up in advance of the 6 p.m. opening. Once on the church grounds, it takes roughly 10-15 minutes to move through the drive-thru display. The route is lined with about 400 luminaries.

“Our live nativity lets people travel back in time to Bethlehem to experience the story of Jesus’ birth,” Sheets said.

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If you go | A Night in Bethlehem

When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12

Where: Riverside Community Church, 6816 N. Second St., Machesney Park

Listen to Pastor Bob Sheets interview with Steve Summers below.