The carpenters have been building and costumers have been stitching as they prepare for another series of performances of Johnson City’s traditional Living Nativity Christmas pageant at the First United Methodist Church.

A special part of the show this year will be the appearance of three generations of pageant performers. Jim Odiorne was in the original Living Nativity, back in the ’60s. This year, son Brit and his wife, Katy, will play the roles of Mary and Joseph, and their son, Brady, will star as the infant Jesus.

Like Lights Spectacular, the Living Nativity has become a major part of the city’s Christmas celebration over the decades. It has grown from the original still-life tableau to today’s live-action performance, with lights and music and both human and animal actors.

Many of today’s parents can tell their children stories of the times they, too, were angels and shepherd boys. Many families tell us their Christmases wouldn’t be complete without the Living Nativity.

And, over the decades, the Living Nativity’s reputation has spread across Texas. It now draws annual visitors by the bus-load, from San Antonio to Dallas, a must-see stop on the rolling tours of the Hill Country light shows.

The Living Nativity performances will be at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 pm each of four nights, December 7, 8, 14 and 15, at the First United Methodist Church Activity Center, on North Avenue E, between Main Street and Pecan. Performances and after-show refreshments are free.

For more information, call JoAnn in the church office, at 868-7414.