Pastor Beth Krausse of Crescenta Valley Community Church and the children’s ministry – Kids Place – presented a live nativity for the community outside its facilities at 4001 La Crescenta Ave. from Dec. 4 through Dec. 10 with two performances nightly at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The performers included children from the community and live animals that in the past included pigs, sheep, goats and donkeys.

According to Pastor of Finance & Administration Rick Whitlow, the public was encouraged to hear the telling the story of the nativity, sing Christmas carols along with an instrumental accompaniment, and share hot chocolate and hot apple cider. The book “The Purpose of Christmas” was also offered as a gift to guests. An estimated 600 people attended the week of performances.

Whitlow also stated that while the annual event is carefully planned and directed by the children’s ministry staff, it is also “informal” in its approach. “We have often had children from the community come to a performance, be captivated by it and play a shepherd or an angel in the next performance,” he stated. “We do our best to be inclusive in everything we do here.”