LEHI — For two weeks in December, a section of the Lehi rodeo grounds is transformed into a familiar New Testament scene.
Visitors who enter “A Babe is Born” are greeted by a variety of farm animals, actors and a stable with a rock wall backdrop, where Joe and Tori Coccimiglio, dressed to represent Joseph and Mary, watch over baby Jesus in a live Nativity reenactment.
It’s a timeless story with a universal message, Joe Coccimiglio said.
“The story of Christ’s birth is one of joy and being a family, experiencing real love,” he said. “Regardless of your faith, I think everyone can experience and enjoy that.”
The live Nativity in Lehi is one of many along Utah’s Wasatch Front this month that are helping to usher in the spirit of Christmas.
Pope Francis recently voiced his support for Nativity scenes as “simple and admirable” signs of Christian faith. The leader of the global Catholic Church signed an apostolic letter encouraging the placement of Nativity scenes in workplaces, schools and town squares, according to the Associated Press.
“With this letter, I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the Nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares,” Pope Francis wrote in the letter, which was read to a group in Greccio, Italy.
“It is my hope that this custom will never be lost and that, wherever it has fallen into disuse, it can be rediscovered and revived.”
Along with honoring the meaning of Christmas, the live Nativity in Lehi was orchestrated to help local refugees.
In years past, Coccimiglio, his friend Matt Flake, and others have organized Sub for Santa drives to benefit refugees. This year they decided to donate the proceeds from a live Nativity.
As organizers planned, prepared and opened the live Nativity on Dec. 2, they hired local refugees to help work on the project. Each $6 ticket purchased also buys a meal for a refugee, Coccimiglio said.
“We hope you get to feel the spirit of Christmas while meeting some of your newest neighbors from all over the world,” he said.
One highlight for Flake is seeing people interact with the refugees and hear their stories.
Julie Yasima is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. During a time of political unrest, she and her mother escaped from the Congo and survived in a Chad refugee camp for 10 years before eventually arriving in Utah one decade ago.
These days, Yasima provides for her mother and two daughters by working at a warehouse in the Salt Lake area. She was thrilled to be invited to help with the Nativity and wants to reciprocate the kindness that has been shown to her.
“Since I came here as a refugee, people have helped me,” Yasima said during a short break at work. “I love helping other people.”
Organizers also turned to family and friends to assist as volunteers. Coccimiglio asked his brother-in-law and sister, Ximmer and Nadia Conkling, who recently became the new parents of a baby girl they named Hazel, to help reenact the manger scene as Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus.
Ximmer Conkling, a self-described atheist with a Latter-day Saint/Christian faith background, said his primary motivation for getting involved was charity. He also supports activities that teach good values.
“Anything that motivates people to be better and do better, I’m all for that,” said the 29-year-old who lives in Saratoga Springs. “I think it’s also good to redirect the focus away from presents and commercialism. ... It makes Christmas a little less selfish.”
“A Babe is Born,” at 105 N. 500 West in Lehi, goes until Dec. 14. Along with paying your “tax” (price of admission) at the gates of Bethlehem, visitors are welcome to donate coats, socks, gloves, hats or canned goods, according to the website.
The live Nativity offers families the chance to see donkeys, sheep, chickens, goats and bunnies before sipping hot chocolate and a square doughnut from Lehi Bakery.
The Orem Community Church joined with the Orem Institute of Religion at Utah Valley University and University Place to produce a live Nativity in The Orchard on Dec. 6 that featured animals, treats, musical performance and a Christmas light display.
It was the first time the two different religious groups have worked together like this, said Jared Mower, the lead event coordinator at University Place.
“This is one of the larger Christmas events we do every year,” Mower said. “It appeals to the community and helps people get into the spirit of the season.”
A live Nativity has been a popular part of This is the Place Heritage Park’s Candlelight Christmas for nearly 20 years. On many occasions over the past decade, Jeanette Knight has taken the role of Mary while two of her sons have worn the swaddling clothes of baby Jesus, including one when he was only 12 days old.
“It’s kind of a tradition of ours,” Knight said.
Being part of a live Nativity has created a wealth of memories for Knight but one stands out. One time a family came through with a little boy with Down syndrome. When close enough to see the baby, the boy looked up at this mother with wide eyes and said, “There’s Jesus right there.”
Witnessing the boy’s pure reaction to seeing “baby Jesus” touched Knight and gave her a glimpse into Mary’s life.
“He won my heart,” she said of the boy. “The experience put into perspective for me that Mary felt the same way that I felt about my babies. She’s a real person to me. I connected to her so deeply because of that. Any time you can put yourself in those shoes, it brings a spirit and feeling of goodness into your heart.”
This is the Place Heritage Park’s Candlelight Christmas, including its live Nativity reenactment, runs every evening from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23 (except Sundays). Ticket prices and other information is listed at thisistheplace.org.
For families in southern Utah, Tuacahn Amphitheater has put together an annual live Nativity since the 1990s. Visitors this year will see a 20-minute telling of the birth of the Christ child with new music and a revamped, more dramatic narration, complete with animals and acting by a different volunteer group each night, said Nativity director Heidi Anderson.
“Overall, it’s a unique experience being outdoors in this beautiful canyon with high cliffs,” Anderson said. “To be under the night sky, all bundled up, it’s a peaceful way to experience the Nativity.”
One aspect of Tuacahn’s nativity that sets it apart is how Anderson and others train a host of volunteer actors from the community shortly before each performance. There’s a 30-minute round of instruction for the wise men, innkeepers, shepherds and angels, then one practice round and it’s off to dress in costumes, Anderson said.
Anderson and Tuacahn staff have prepped church groups, large family groups and even a police department to perform the story of Christ’s birth. One personal highlight for Anderson involves preparing a special needs’ group and their helpers for the performance.
“It’s a neat bonding experience for people,” she said.
Tuacahn’s Christmas in the Canyon live Nativity runs through Dec. 23. For ticket prices and other information, visit tuacahn.org.