Kingsport's Living Nativity returns to Church Circle for ninth year

For the ninth year, Church Circle will transform into Bethlehem for one night as volunteers bring Kingsport's Living Nativity to life next Sunday. The free drive-through and walk-through event runs from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 14 and is presented by First Baptist Church and First Broad Street United Methodist Church. "It began as the vision of a woman in our church who thought it would be a great way to share the Christmas story with the community," said Cathy Combs of First Baptist Church, who helps coordinate the event. "It's crazy to me to look back, when Cookie Greer started it, she did it all. She coordinated it all, planned it all and got volunteers." This year, Greer will take part in the Living Nativity herself, greeting visitors and wishing them farewell as they exit the display. Combs said what started out as a small idea has grown into one of Kingsport's most popular holiday traditions. In recent years, Combs said the event has drawn "about 400 cars and 1,100 people in the cars." She said another 300 to 400 people will usually walk through. The Nativity is spread across a series of tents set up around Church Circle, allowing visitors to follow the arc of the Christmas story. Scenes include the census being taken, a bustling marketplace, shepherds tending their sheep, and Wise Men traveling to Bethlehem. The night ends with the Holy Family portrayed by a church family. "To me, it's something for all ages to enjoy," Combs said. "You've got kids and parents and grandparents, it's multi-generational. People will come through, bring the dogs, it's fun to see." The production also brings together volunteers of all ages from both congregations. "There are parents and children volunteering together to be angels or shepherds," she said. "It's really become a family affair." Months of preparation go into the two-hour event, Combs said. Churches coordinate with the city to close streets, arrange police presence and manage traffic flow. Volunteer roles are also assigned ahead of time, she said, and a costume committee prepares the outfits for each participant. "It's definitely a well-coordinated event, and the planning starts early," said Combs. "We've learned a lot every year. There's someone focused on traffic, someone managing registration, and a fabulous group of ladies working on costumes. We try to make it very easy for volunteers to come and be part of it." This year, organizers expanded online sign-ups to let volunteers choose the roles they want. "We try to automate it more every year," she said, "and make it an enjoyable experience for them, as well as the people who are coming." For Combs, one of the joys of the night is greeting visitors as they enter Church Circle. "Everybody's in a good mood," she said. "It's just a real upbeat, jovial event where people are pleased and excited to be coming through."