INUVIK - A few hardy volunteers from the First Bible Church will re-enact the first Christmas outside their building this weekend.

Pastor Steve Donley and a group from his church will perform a live nativity scene Friday and Saturday evening starting at 7 p.m. On the second night, Donley said a group of carolers will be singing as well.

Pastor Steve Donley and the First Bible Baptist Church are holding a live action nativity scene this weekend. The volunteers will act out the scene Friday night for two hours, then again on Saturday night. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

"It's not a service, or Church-related event, it's a visual display for the community," said Donley.

"It's my shameless way to keep Christ in Christmas."

While he agrees that cartoons and movies do a fair job of telling the story, he said there is something more to a live display.

"There is something about standing there with your kid, watching it happen in front of your eyes," he said.

Involving the whole community in a single event is also important for Donley and his group.

"We want to offer something nice for the families in the town," he said.

The display will be in the parking area of the church building. Donley said the manger will be built around a cargo trailer, which will ease the effects of the cold weather on the performers in the display.

"Having the area a bit warmer will make it easier for the performers to be out there for a few hours each night," he said.

Donley said that there won't be any narration or speakers, just the performers and the display.

Because of a lack of people to be in the display, only Jesus, Mary, Joseph and a few shepherds will be live.

"We wanted the wise men, but we don't have enough people who want to be in the display," he said.

"We'll have some treats and some warm drinks," he said.

"People can use the church to warm up if they need to."

Donley hopes that the weather won't turn on his display and wants the best conditions for the weekend.

"It will be a nice old-time display for a traditional Christmas," he said.

Donley said he doesn't have a problem with the commercial side of the holiday, but he wants to keep the origins of the celebration in mind.

"Happy holidays, season's greetings, I have no problem with those," said Donley.

"But from a Christian standpoint, the reason for the season is Christ."

The church is also holding a Christmas pageant on Dec. 23.

"It's usually a big deal for us," he said.

Each year, Donley said he likes to incorporate a message in the performance of the play.

There will also be a Christmas service at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.

For those families looking for an alternative New Year's Eve celebration, the church is also hosting a party on Dec. 31.

"It's not a church service, not a preaching service, just a place to spend New Year's," he said.