By Rachael Wilson and Lynne Marie Judd
wilson@newsroom.byu.edu, lynne@newsroom.byu.edu
Volunteers will be reminding Provo of the true meaning of Christmas this weekend with a live reenactment of the Christmas story.
Twenty-seven individuals, along with a camel and a donkey, will be involved in a free 25-minute performance at the Provo Tabernacle Park, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, Dec. 8-10.
Members of the Provo South Stake will coordinate and perform the live nativity for the third year, said Travis Steward, a counselor in the Provo South Stake Presidency.
'Three years ago we were approached by the mayor's office to revive the show because the Tabernacle fell within our boundaries,' Steward said.
Over the years, the stake has enhanced the show by adding live animals, fencing, straw seating, theater lights, and a better sound system, he said.
Even though the presentation has changed through the years, the story has remained the same.
The nativity begins with prophesies of Christ's coming and takes the viewer through events surrounding his birth, said Kristine Tyler, a resident of Provo, who will be performing as one of the shepherds.
Tyler, who is participating as an actress for the first time this year, said the performance has helped her to internalize the Christmas story.
'I have gained a greater confidence and testimony of the importance of the story,' she said.
She said acting as one of the shepherds also helped her to better understand how the shepherds would have felt.
The performers, mostly BYU students, have been practicing for the past two weeks and are anticipating a large audience, said Julie Pendleton, chairperson over the live nativity.
The nativity will be presented at 6:30, 7, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Provo Tabernacle Park at the corner of Center and University Ave.
Free parking will be available at the Nu Skin parking garage and viewers are encouraged to bundle up for the outdoor performance.