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First Baptist Church in Andalusia will be spreading the meaning of Christmas at their first-ever drive-through nativity scene this weekend.

Associate Pastor Chad Middlebrooks said they have been working on the live nativity scene for almost a month.

“It has been very simple to put together,” Middlebrooks said. “Barrow’s Furniture put out on Facebook that they had some pallets that they were getting rid of. So, we went and got pallets from there and Covington Casket, as well. They look pretty good for just throwing something together. It has been really fun. We have had a lot of teenagers that have helped with the building. A tremendous amount of senior adults that have come out to work.”

The live nativity scene will also include live animals including camels, llamas, miniature horses, cows and donkeys.

“We got the animals from Farmer Brown’s Party Animals in Auburn,” Middlebrooks said. “We used them back when we had Vacation Bible School when we had a petting zoo and they were just phenomenal. I think with live animals, it will make the experience a little more authentic. We will also be in period dress. We just want to make it as authentic as possible. We want people to experience the true Christmas story. We really love Candyland and what it does for the community but also want people to know the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it, which is the birth of Christ.”

Middlebrooks said he is looking forward to seeing his church people having their eyes opened to what God can do the most.

“It has just been great seeing the body of Christ at First Baptist pull together,” Middlebrooks said. “Everybody is doing different jobs and it is just a true picture of what the body of Christ is supposed to do. Not everybody can be Mary and Joseph. Somebody might just be a costume designer, or make a set or whatever. Every job is important.

What Middlebrooks wants the people who drive through the nativity scene to get from the experience is an understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

“I hope we can all just slow down from our fast-paced, busy schedule and experience the peace that God wants us to have in our hearts,” Middlebrooks said. “When the angels spoke to the shepherds, they said, ‘Peace to all men,’ and I want people to understand that God wants peace. He came, he stepped down from heaven to bring us the peace that we need in our lives.”

The live nativity scene will take place from 6 until 8 p.m., on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

Please enter from Tisdale Street, which runs behind Big Mike’s.

More information at https://fbcandalusia.org/drive-thru-nativity/