Live Nativity (Diorama)
2024 Dates
Nov. 29, 30 Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24
Nov. 29, 30 Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24
The Diorama’s mission is to proclaim the birth of Jesus Christ and to assist Rotary Lights in its mission of collecting non-perishable food items to help feed the hungry in the greater La Crosse area.
The Live Nativity, or Diorama, was conceived by a La Crosse area WELS, (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) church in 1992. First Lutheran Church of La Crosse staged the “outdoor” presentation of The Live Nativity in their church parking lot for two weekends during the month of December. Some of the original props from this meager beginning still are being utilized in the Live Nativity today. Rotary Lights contacted First Lutheran in the spring of 1995 and inquired as to the feasibility of performing the Live Nativity during Rotary’s display in La Crosse’s Riverside Park. First Lutheran enlisted the help of nineteen other area WELS Churches and the Live Nativity as it exists today was born. Work on the Diorama begins in mid summer and the actual performance in Riverside Park begins the Friday after Thanksgiving with Rotary Light’s Grand Opening each year. The Diorama’s individual roles in the Live Nativity are manned by volunteer members of these area WELS Churches. Approximately 700 volunteers are needed each year to help with this production, from Steering Committee, costume cleaning and repair, prop committee, warming trailer staff, and of course all of the many roles that need to be filled. The Diorama also has live animals to help create an authentic feel to the production. There is a donkey and sometimes a few goats added in to the scene. |
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All of the members of the Live Nativity wish you and yours a blessed Christmas.