The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host the 6th annual Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration on December 10th -12th. The three-day event features more than 300 nativity displays from around the world, art work, a live nativity, children’s activity room, and musical performances by local artists. The event is held at 590 Bryan Drive in Apex adjacent to the Mormon temple.

The Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration has become a holiday tradition in the community drawing several thousand visitors each year. “These beautiful nativity scenes not only convey the artistry and culture of people from all over the world but they also give the viewer an opportunity to pause and reflect on the true meaning of this holiday season – the birth of Christ, the spirit of love and peace, and the brotherhood of man,” said event coordinator, Jill Smith.

One of the oldest and most treasured Christmas traditions around the world is the displaying of a nativity scene, or crèche. A crèche is a three-dimensional artistic representation of the birth of Jesus, usually with the infant Jesus in a manger, surrounded by figures of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, animals, and the wise men.

The crèche was not always comprised of small, motionless figurines. In fact, the original nativity set was live, with people dressed as Mary and Joseph and real animals used in the barn. The first live nativity sets were said to be created by St. Francis of Assisi in the 12th century. This tradition spread from Italy to Germany and eventually throughout all of Europe and beyond. Traditionally the sets were displayed at the front of medieval churches and temples. Eventually, artists began carving these images into wood or making them out of straw, and when the nativity sets moved to other countries, other materials were used such as stone and ivory.

This year’s celebration includes musical performances by Athens Drive High School Orchestra, Holly Grove Elementary Chorus, Cary High School Orchestra, the Holly Springs Community Band, the Apex LDS Youth Chorus, and more than 20 other individuals and groups. Please see www.apexnativity.org for a complete schedule of performances, event hours, directions, and for more information about how you can display your own Nativity set in this year’s event.

The celebration concludes with a mini Handel’s “Messiah” sing-in accompanied by a choir and full orchestra. “This is an inspiring, moving experience,” said Harry Maxwell, President of the Apex Stake for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “The words of this sacred piece of music stir the soul and remind us of how richly our lives have been blessed through the ministry of Jesus Christ. We invite everyone in our community to join us in this celebration.”

Admission to Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration is free. All visitors are invited to bring non-perishable can goods for donation to the Western Wake Crisis Ministry.