Huntington Beach Living Nativity

December 7-8, 2023, 6-9 p.m.

Thursday, December 7, 2023, 6-9 p.m.
Friday, December 8, 2023, 6-9 p.m.

First Christian Church
1207 Main St.
Huntington Beach, CA
(714) 536-2589
fcchb.com

Huntington Beach's living nativity is a free annual event sponsored by First Christian Church. Cars line up around the block and drive through (optional tours walk through) event with biblical passages, live animals, and angels Baby Jesus in a manger.

Thousands drive through this event each year, enjoying the religious message of Christmas.

Volunteers make this special celebration a family tradition year after year:

SCENE #1 - ISAIAH: These are the words of the Prophet Isaiah: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase in his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this!
SCENE #2 - MARY & GABRIEL: (Mary is seated on pillows, in a dreamy state. When Gabriel appears, Mary stiffens. She is both surprised and frightened.)
Gabriel: Hail favored one! The Lord is with you! (Mary wrinkles her forehead and eyebrows in confusion.) Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. Listen: You will conceive and bear a Son. You shall call him Jesus. He will be great. God will give Him the throne of David and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.
Mary: How can this be? I am a virgin.
Gabriel: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and the Holy One which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God.
Mary: I am the Lord's handmaiden. May it be as you have said.
SCENE #3 - JOSEPH & GABRIEL: (Joseph is lying on his side in a very restless sleep. He turns his head from side to side, as if having a nightmare. As Gabriel speaks, he remains asleep, eyes closed, and calm).
Gabriel: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. (Joseph awakens, slowly sits up raises his face toward heaven.)
SCENE #4 - CAESAR SCENE: Caesar sits on his throne and looks regal and bored while he listens to the soldiers speech and then dismisses the people with a wave of his hand once the speech is over and the crowd has said "Hail Caesar"
Crowd: "Hail Caesar!"
Soldier: (speech is read from a scroll) "By the order of Augustus Caesar, the Emperor of the Roman Empire, a census shall be taken throughout the Empire. Therefore, Quirinius (kwir'-IN-ih-uhs), Governor of Syria, declares that all Hebrew men shall take their families to the town of their ancestors. There they shall report to the census taker and be counted."
Crowd: "Hail Caesar!"
SCENE #5 - TRAVELING SCENE: (Mary and Joseph walk slowly alongside, leading the donkey from behind the scene. He looks exhausted too, but his mood lifts when Mary speaks.)
Mary: (tired and breathless) "How much longer, Joseph? I am very tired and thirsty."
Joseph: "We will draw water in Bethlehem soon and you will rest, Mary."
Mary: "I do not think I will be resting for long, for my time is near." (Mary and Joseph continue to the end and go around the back to begin again.)
SCENE #6 - INN SCENE: (Scene begins with Mary and Joseph walking up to the door and Joseph knocking. No one answers so Joseph knocks again.)
Joseph: "Surely people are here, I hear much talking and loud noise."
Innkeeper: (opening the door and appearing very irritated.) "Yes, yes, what can I do for you?"
Joseph: "Do you have a room for us?" My wife is with child, and her time is very near, maybe even tonight!
Innkeeper: "I'm sorry. The census has filled the whole town."
(Mary and Joseph turn to leave…)
Innkeeper: (softens as he says) "Wait, wait one moment. There is a stable. It's not much, but it is quiet and private. Come, I'll take you there."
SCENE #7 - SHEPHERD SCENE: (All shepherds act a little cold from the night air)
Announcing Angel: "Fear not! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David – a Savior which is Christ the Lord! And this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
All Angels: (with hand motions) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."
Speaking Shepherd 1: "The Messiah has been born! An angel of the Most High has spoken it!"
Speaking Shepherd 2: "Let us go into Bethlehem and see this great thing!"
(All shepherds act a little cold from the night air)
SCENE #8 - KING SCENE: King 1: (seated, with one elbow leaning on the table and holding a map in the other hand) "The great King is born. We have seen His star in the east. We have waited so long for this day, and now the heavens declare it is here!"
King 2: (seated, preparing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh) "Let us follow the star and find the Child. We will worship him and offer our gifts to Him – gold, frankincense and myrrh."
King 3: (pacing, examining the gifts and studying the maps) "We must first go to Jerusalem and inquire about His birthplace. Surely King Herod will know of it."

Events and details are subject to change. Please confirm before going.