Night of Nativities, a family tradition continues

BONNERS FERRY — A beloved tradition continues to celebrate the Advent season with the Boundary County Night of Nativities.

The event was something that Lisa Carle and her family would do every year in Mountain Home. When Carle moved to Bonners Ferry she missed her family, and the deep-rooted annual tradition and decided to bring the event to her new home.

Due to the proximity of the Mountain Home Air Force Base, many of the nativity scenes came from all around the world, which brought a different dynamic and beauty to the viewing experience. Some years saw more than 400 nativity scenes on display, which kept friends and family entertained and in awe of the birth of Christ. 

Carle wanted to replicate this tradition and community experience when away from home. She fondly remembers many of the nativity scenes, particularly one that was made out of orange peels. 

The local Night of the Nativities was established in 2013 and planned in four weeks. The first year saw over 100 nativities. 

Carle has tried to get other community churches to participate, but she worries that many have been hesitant to attend since the event is at the Church of Latter-day Saints. 

Carle, who does not attend the LDS church, said the event is nondenominational and is open to all. The event is held at the church because of the amount of space available and because it is offered to the event at no charge.

Originally she had wanted to have the event at the fairgrounds, but the rental fees were more than she could afford. The event mainly takes place in the gym, which has a modular wall attached to the sanctuary. 

Like the event in Mountain Home, Carle wants the Boundary County Night of Nativities to be a community event. 

In past years she has tried to bring in a Christ-centered tree, as a way to encourage other churches to participate, but there was no buy-in, she said. After several years Carle has stepped away from organizing the event and this year Melissa Bateman has taken over as organizer. 

This year, many local musicians and singers provided live music to the event, using the sanctuary’s stage and the room's acoustics to perform hymns, Christ-centered Christmas songs, and carols.

Bateman said all choirs, musicians, or worship teams are invited to perform during the event, which adds greatly to the environment. She also repeated Carle’s sentiment that the event is not an LDS event, nor is it a time for proselytizing, rather it is a time for fellowship and appreciating the nativity story. 

Lucinda Jacobson elegantly decorates the stage which displays larger nativity scenes. She spends hours designing to showcase all the pieces. Organizers said they are thankful for her ability to integrate all the nativity scenes into one cohesive work of art. 

Anyone can drop off their nativity scenes before the event and must pick them up once the event is over. The Boundary County Night of Nativities will return next year, the Friday and Saturday a week after Thanksgiving.