A silent night at Van Orsdel

For two hours Saturday night, those traveling along 5th Avenue got a chance to see a re-enactment of the first Christmas, courtesy of parishioners at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church.

Despite heavy fog and cold, people of all ages climbed out of vehicles or made the pilgrimage on foot to catch a glimpse of live actors and animals bringing to life a scene from the gospels.

Since it began about 18 years ago, the production has become a yearly ritual for parishioners and a cornerstone of Havre's pre-Christmas activities.

"They consider it a gift back to the community," said Dolly Collins, a pastor, who joined the church in July. She said she didn't even know about the church's tradition, and her flock went about organizing the production without prompting.

"We have quite a crew and they know exactly how to get it set up and they are very efficient at what they do," said Sheila Neuwerth, a parishioner who in the past has played a variety of roles, including an angel, a wise man and Mary.

In recent years, however, Neuwerth has managed the hospitality room, where cast members come to seek refuge from the cold and enjoy refreshments before and after their half hour shifts are up.

The audience stood on the sidewalk looking in, with a short, portable split rail fence acting as a barrier between the audience from cast.

The actors remained solemn and quiet throughout, unfazed by the attention, with several portable lights powered by a generator aimed at them. Dressed in robes and head coverings, those playing Mary and Joseph sat in a manger made of barn wood, with a doll in a cradle as baby Jesus. Actors portraying three shepherds and the three wise men stood nearby.

Instrumental Christmas music poured out from nearby speakers.

Four children portraying angels saon a bed of hay with white gowns over their coats and gloves, and halos of silver tinsel crowning their heads as they sat and fidgetted. Parents out among the audience holding up cameras and smartphones took pictures, and told young performers to sit still.

A fifth angel was suspended above the manger in a hydraulic bucket lift with a large illuminated star.

"Grandma, how did that girl get up there?" asked one boy of a woman as he pointed to the elevated angel. "Did she have a ladder or something?"

Every year animals from nearby farms are transported to the church to take part in the exhibition.

This year, four sheep, a baby steer, a llama and an alpaca made up the four-legged cast members, along with Molly, a 20-year-old donkey who has been part of the Nativity scene every year, and her companion, a miniature horse named Dolly.

Collins said Dolly is brought along to make things slightly more comfortable for Molly who hates the parking lot asphalt .

"The kids just go nuts over these animals" said Gerald Anderson, a veteran organizer of the production.

Risa Hileman, a small girl who came with her mother, Christin, was an example as she stood alongside her mother.

"Ooh, look a horsey, and a cow and a camel," said Risa, mistaking the llama for a camel.

Though she lives in Havre, this was Hileman's first year coming to see the scene.

"We always thought it sounded really neat and knew she would enjoy the animals and the live Nativity," said Christin.

At irregular intervals, someone would come into the arena to signal the actor's shift is over and another volunteer would come out to take over.

After being relieved, the performer then headed into the hospitality room.

Performers being dispatched to fill the needed roles were helped into their costumes.

Jerid Simonson, 19, is a regular who plays one of the wise men each year.

"Well, partly my mom doesn't give me a choice, and partly because I go to this place so I might as well be in it," Simonson, a church member, siod about why he participates in the Nativity scene each year.

Some years are better than others, Simonson said. Some years he was too talkative when he should have stood quietly to allow others to bask in the tranquility of the scene. This year the crown that was part of his costume was too small.

Overall, though, Simonson said, he enjoys participating.

The Nativity scene is also a chance for the church to educate the community about the faith and the religious origins of the holiday.

"They go and see Santa Claus at the mall several times a year, but they don't get a chance to come see how Jesus got here, so this is a gift for them too," Neuwerth said.