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The shepherd bow before the newborn Jesus in Harmony Baptist Church’s annual depiction of the live nativity.

Betty Chastain has been involved in Harmony Baptist Church’s annual staging of a live nativity for the past nine years.

“Someone else was in charge the first year,” she said. “From the first meeting, I had a love for the live nativity. I made all of the costumes.”

By the second year, organizing the annual event had become her job.

In a typical year, the church welcomes 400 to 450 people to walk through the story of the birth of Jesus. Chastain said organizers strive to depict the story as simply as it occurred more than 2,000 years ago.

It takes 70 to 80 volunteers to stage the production, she said.

This year, the cast includes two donkeys, chickens, a rabbit and even a kitten.

Work begins in October.

Members of Harmony Baptist generally stage the production three consecutive nights, but based on forecasts, expect to cancel Saturday’s production. Weather permitting, the live nativity will open again from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday. Check The Star-News’ Facebook page and website for updates.

See more photos, Page 4B

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