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Canton Baptist Church performed a re-enactment of Christ’s birth on Dec. 9 at the church in the Endy community.

“This is the first year we have done a live nativity,” said Pastor Curtis Williams, who noted that “around 30” church members had volunteered in various roles to make the event possible.

Three shuttles ferried visitors hayride-style from the church to the manger scene, approximately one-fourth mile away.

“In the past, we didn’t have a place to do a live nativity,” said Williams, “but the church was gifted 17 acres, and the land has a barn and shed on it. So, with that, we now have a place to do this.”

The nativity scene was staffed by Canton youth Chris Lisenby (Joseph), Maleigh Barkay (Mary), Diesel Burleson and Curtis Williams (Shepherds) and Olivia Huneycutt and Morgan Lisenby (Angels), with donkeys also present (and braying) at the stable.

“We had planned to have sheep and goats also,” said Williams, who noted that some last-minute unforeseen circumstances kept them away.

Although temperatures were unseasonably warm, occasional drizzles did not seem to keep people away.

“It’s hard to tell how many to expect,” Williams said, adding that the event had been heavily publicized on radio, print and social media.

“The church office has had quite a few calls, too,” he added.

The event is Canton’s way of reminding the community of the “why” in celebrating Christmas, according to the pastor.

“We really want to give the people of the community the true meaning of Christmas,” he said. “Gifts and get-togethers are fine, but we want to keep the real reason for the season up front.”