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After having many visitors last year, the First Baptist Church of Andalusia is excited to bring back its live nativity scene “Evening in Bethlehem” for the second straight year.

This year’s event is scheduled Friday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. and will start on Tisdale Street coming in from South Cotton Street on the Square.

“In 2020, with COVID a major concern, I wanted to do something to encourage our community with the true meaning of Christmas, so the idea of a drive-through nativity story was born,” First Baptist Church of Andalusia Pastor Dr. Kevin Wilburn said.

Wilburn added the drive-through nativity is an attraction that communicates to all ages and brings it to life. “People get a chance to enjoy seeing things that they only read about or see on the big screen.”

Over 6,000 visitors came to view the first attraction in 2020, and Wilburn felt it was a great encouragement to the FBC family.

“Our desire is to make Christ known. For 6,000 people to see and hear what Christmas is really about in a way that makes it real was quite an awesome experience. We are hoping the event will create gospel-centered conversations and people can know the hope Christmas gives,” he said.

According to Wilburn, the church starts gathering things all through the year.

“It really is an undertaking of the whole church body. It is a church-wide effort building the set and preparing the props, lighting and sound, sewing the costumes, making the graphics and signage, putting the narrative together, and making the CD’s,” he said.

FBC starts building the Bethlehem in early November. “It is amazing to watch the set grow and come to life. Our supplies come from everywhere. Some are donated and some are purchased from local hardware stores. The animals come from Farmer Brown’s Party Animals located in Auburn. The Star family has been wonderful to work with,” Wilburn said.

Wilburn said the church is suggesting a donation of a canned food item or another nonperishable food item. Items collected will be given to the local Christian service center and obtained at the beginning or the end of the drive-through.

The First Baptist Church of Andalusia is located at 700 East Three Notch Street with office hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information visit www.fbcandalusia.org or call 334-222-5152.

“We would like to thank the City of Andalusia, PowerSouth, Covington Electric, Crossover Ministry, and all of the great people in and around Andalusia for their support in this wonderful event,” Wilburn said.