Animals Will Help Bring to Life Area Churches’ Nativity Scenes

Four area churches will recreate Bethlehem scenes from the nativity story--sometimes using unpredictable animals--for visitors to see in coming weekends, by car or on foot.

Although some churches avoid “bathrobe” biblical productions as amateurish attempts to dramatize Christian origins, an entertainment executive who has directed such outdoor events at churches for years calls them “a very important part of the Christmas celebrations for some people--both meaningful and fun.”

Indeed, about 6,000 people are expected over four nights to mingle with “artisans, Roman centurions, shepherds and Mary and Joseph” at the Church at Rocky Peak in Chatsworth.

Another 3,500 people may drive past seven scenes from Jesus’ life on the grounds of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Canyon Country, which is staging a pageant for the third year.

A geographically incorrect--for ancient Israel--llama joined the donkeys, goats and sheep at the Canyon Country church last year.

“We didn’t know we were going to get a llama last year from a rental company, but it was so cute nobody wanted to send it back,” said Elaine Viveros, producer of the “Follow the Star to Bethlehem” tableaux.

“However, it pretty much ate up all the palm branches and rope on our nativity creche last year,” she added. “We’ve asked for a donkey instead this year.”

A few animal mishaps also have occurred at St. John’s of the Valley United Methodist Church in Canoga Park, which will be mounting its eighth “Journey to Bethlehem.”

Sheep ate the plastic buckets holding their drinking water one year--prompting church organizers to substitute dummy sheep in subsequent years, said Peggy Cozzi of Winnetka.

“Another time, at the very beginning of the ‘journey,’ Walter the donkey threw Mary off as he headed straight to Bethlehem, where he knew the hay was kept, and Mary had to walk the whole way,” Cozzi said.

Cozzi says she usually portrays a harlot at the inn each year, “but I think I’m outgrowing that.” She’s now 72.

Camels are expected to appear at the hillside Church at Rocky Peak and on the 2.9-acre grounds of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westlake Village, a 900-member congregation that is presenting its “Bethlehem Experience” for the first time.

When the Rev. Richard H. Thompson became pastor of Westminster Presbyterian early this year, he said, he envisioned the church grounds as ideal for families to drive past scenes of the gospel stories of Jesus’ birth. The 10 scenes begin with three wise men and their camels following a star, then Roman sentries taking the census, he said.

The San Fernando Valley couple with the most experience in producing outdoor nativity productions may be Jeff and Joan Holder, who directed a Bethlehem marketplace for seven years at the now-closed Valley Community Church in Van Nuys and since then have done the same at Church at Rocky Peak.

“Joan and I see the same people come back year after year,” Jeff Holder said. “Joan had the idea a few years ago to let the visitors ‘buy’ bread dough decorations and other objects with fake shekels they receive when they arrive.”

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The Holders’ four children, including triplets, have been cast as “baby Jesuses” for some of their productions.

“If a baby is fussy or needs attention, we put in a ‘stunt baby’--a lifelike doll,” said Jeff, who is vice president of Sony Wonder, the children’s program division of Sony. “The babies are always wrapped up well and the stable area is warm.”

The exposure and strain is more serious for men who portray the crucified Jesus at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Canyon Country, which takes the gospel stories from birth to resurrection.

“Dressed only in a loincloth, they can do it for 15 minutes in the cold and that’s about all they can take,” said producer Viveros. “We also have a professional masseuse on hand because their legs are twisted and their arms are up so long.

“It’s an emotional scene and the one we get the most comment on.”

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Four Natitivity Events

* Dec. 13, 14, 15 (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.)-- Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 27265 Luther Dr. (off Soledad Canyon Road), Canyon Country. Motorists asked to bring donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene items or donations for a food pantry. (805) 252-0622.

* Dec. 14 & 15, 20 & 21 (guided tours at 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m.)-- St. John’s of the Valley United Methodist Church, 20600 Roscoe Blvd., Winnetka. Admission free, but offering is accepted. (818) 341-6434.

* Dec. 20, 21, 22 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.)-- Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3211 Watergate Rd., Westlake Village. Drive-through. Free. (818) 889-1491.

* Dec. 20, 21, 22, 23 (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)-- Church at Rocky Peak, 22601 Santa Susana Pass Rd., Chatsworth. Free. (818) 709-0113.