Annual live nativity celebrates true Christmas spirit
Kara Schofield
Prosper- Prosper’s annual Live Nativity program, hosted by local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returns to Frontier Park for one night on December 10 to celebrate the Savior’s birth in the spirit of the holiday season.
Held every December on the second Saturday since 2014, the Church of Jesus Christ shares a remembrance of Christ’s birth through lighted sets, costumed actors, and an audio program that describes each scene. The effort is only possible each year through more than 100 volunteers who donate their time, talents, and resources to everything from set building and lighting design, to sewing and staging, to website design, traffic direction, and even candy cane sorting.
The actors gladly perform in the frosty temperatures for over two hours, not only as a ministry to others but also to show their own gratitude and love for Jesus. Bo Hopkins of Prosper has attended the event with his family since 2019 and looks forward to being a Wise Man this year. As he prepares for his role by studying God’s word, Hopkins says, “I hope visitors feel the love the Lord has for them and their families as they take time to remember and celebrate the birth of the Savior.”
Dave and Katie Anderson, who moved to Prosper in August, will be playing Mary and Joseph this year. “We love doing anything that connects us with Jesus Christ,” says Katie. “We love the value the Prosper community shares of faith and family…. [We] hope this experience brings light and joy to everyone this Christmas season.”
In the early years, visitors viewed the outdoor twelve-minute program much like a traditional play, but the Church of Jesus Christ in Prosper pivoted to a drive-through program in 2020 to accommodate COVID-19 precautions. That format continues today so families can enjoy the individual parts of the Nativity story from the comfort and convenience of their own vehicles.
The Live Nativity program runs from 6-8 p.m. at Frontier Park, 1551 Frontier Parkway, and vehicles will follow the map to drive through the scenes as they listen to the story via recorded audio. It promises to bring a measure of peace and joy to all who want to visit.
The spirit of the Christmas season comes down to one word for Hopkins. “[It’s about] hope,” he says. “When you seek for the Savior in your life, you will find Him.”
This article has been published in The Propser News.
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Kara Schofield lives with her husband, nearly grown youngest, and the family doodle in the Prosper Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She can often be found at one keyboard or another: writing, documenting personal and family history, accompanying school choirs, and learning how to play jazz music. Her greatest joys are her four children and their spouses, a sizable extended family, pies, mountains, and Jesus Christ.
