Step into Christmas spirit at living nativity

HURON — Members of the Western Way Cowboy Church hosted their live nativity Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, 1858 Third St. S.W.
“This is the third year we’ve planned it and the second year it will be presented,” said Karen Davis Holmes, whose husband, Chip, is the church pastor. “Last year we planned it, but it was so cold we called it off.”
So far this year there have been mild temperatures, with a little bit of snow that is now gone.
“This year we were going to have a horse-drawn bobsled giving rides through the nativity, but now there’s no snow,” Davis Holmes said, laughing through her disappointment. “People will have to drive through or walk.”
People are invited to stop in the church for refreshments that will be served, and children will be invited to decorate a little wooden ornament with bright markers.
The church is located on a three-acre parcel of land with two out buildings on the property. They placed a sign that says “The Inn” on the larger building (which is used for storage) and a bright star made out of Christmas lights shines over the smaller building, which is the stable. Cast members in the living nativity will be pastor Chip Holmes as Joseph, daughter, Della, 8, will be an angel, and Katherine Sotero Cruz will be Mary.

This year they purchased outfits for the cast to wear for the nativity scene.
“Baby Jesus is going to be a doll because we have no heat out there,” Davis Holmes said.
A donkey, a pet of the Holmes family named Puff, lives with Chip’s sister, Debbi Stockstill, near Virgil, and will be brought to the church tonight to be part of the scene.
“The donkey was here the first  year we did this,” Davis Holmes said. “She is a seasoned pro. Every once in a while you’ll hear a loud bray. She loves to be petted.”
The first year they hosted this event, people would get out of the car and talk to Mary and Joseph.
“Chip stayed in character, talking and acting like Joseph,” she said. “The first year we had over 200 people that drove through.
“This is something our church tries to put on every year,” Davis Holmes added. “We’ve got three acres here and we’re really wanting to use it more.”
Chip Holmes is also pastor of the Baptist Church in Wolsey.

PHOTOS BY CRYSTAL PUGSLEY OF THE PLAINSMAN
Pastor Chip Holmes helps his daughter, Della, 8, adjust her angel wings Friday at the Western Way Cowboy Church. The church is hosting it’s annual live nativity tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church, 1858 Third St. S.W. Holmes is cast as Joseph, and Katherine Sotero Cruz will be Mary, with a doll to represent baby Jesus.