Hitts Chapel hosts Journey to Bethlehem for 25th year

Mary and Joseph seek lodging as part of Hitts Chapel General Baptist Church's "Journey to Bethlehem." The church presented the live nativity this past weekend for the 25th year.
(photo courtesy Frank Staples)

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After 25 years, it seems that Christmas isn't Christmas in the Piggott area without the annual live nativity at Hitts Chapel General Baptist Church.

This past weekend the effort, which first began with a single manger scene in 1985, came to life once again as the church members and volunteers presented "Journey to Bethlehem."

"We had good crowds this year and luckily great weather," church pastor Charles Richardson noted. "We were tickled with how things turned out." Richardson said this year's event attracted well over 500 people, slightly above average for the past several Decembers.

In the years since the first effort by the church's young adult class, the annual offering has grown into a production that involves dozens of people. "Journey to Bethlehem" now includes seven scenes detailing the Christmas story from the prophecy of Isaiah to the manger in Bethlehem. It utilizes the efforts of more than two dozen people in costume, eight to 10 animals and a variety of support personnel.

The live nativity was first suggested by church member Steve Crowson, who served as director the first two years. In 1987 Mike Travillian, with help from his wife Ann, took over as director and he continues to serve in that capacity. In 1988 Crowson died suddenly and that year the program was dedicated to his memory.

Throughout the years of the event volunteers and church members would gather prior to each evening's show for devotion and fellowship. Saturday night's devotional period included remembrances of the first 25 years of the live nativity and thanks to those who have made it possible.