Community Nativity Festival gathers scenes in Modesto from all over the world

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday frenzy, the entire community and members of all faiths are invited to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Christ, as depicted in a vast display of Nativity scenes.

The 10th annual Community Nativity Festival will be held Friday through Dec. 7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on El Vista Avenue in Modesto and will boast more than 300 Nativity scenes gathered from around the world.

In addition, interfaith artists, a barbershop quartet, string instrumentalists, high school and Modesto Junior College groups, hand bells and other musical artists will perform throughout the three days.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to view beautiful Nativity sets from all over the world honoring the birth of our Savior,” Modesto Stake President Roy Wasden said in an email interview. “There will also be wonderful music provided by many different groups from our community. This is a wonderful way to start the Christmas season and we invite all to come and enjoy the Nativity Festival.”

Wasden said anyone in the region can submit Nativity scenes for display “and we have enjoyed a wide array of beautiful and unique Nativity sets displayed by those in the Modesto community.” People who wish to display their Nativity sets can take them during set-up and then pick them up at the conclusion of the festival that Sunday evening.

The Nativity scenes “vary in size, construction and place of origin coming from locations all over the world,” he added, including England, Spain, Norway and Sweden.

The stake traditionally has opened its doors to the event to include the region’s various religions. “Yes, this is an event open to all faiths and is an opportunity for us to all come together at the Christmas season,” Wasden said.

There also will be a children’s activity room at the event for youngsters who want to join in making crafts.

The festival is free and scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 731 El Vista Ave. in Modesto. For more, visit www.ModestoNativity.blogspot.com.

This story was originally published November 29, 2014 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Community Nativity Festival gathers scenes in Modesto from all over the world."