Holy night in Savannah as live nativity draws capacity crowd (SLIDESHOW)

SAVANNAH– While the Star of Bethlehem may not have been over the community Monday night, all eyes were on Savannah as the quaint town of four-hundred hosted a live outdoor nativity with half a thousand in attendance at Savannah Park.

“We have all generations that gather together to sing, listen, and to tell the beautiful Christmas Story again.” says Dana Futrell, coordinator of the community event now in its ninth year.

Hundreds gather together for community effort to commemorate the birth of Jesus in Savannah, Ohio. View slideshow below. (Photos courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

“The script was inspired by the Gospel of Luke and really brings the Bible to life. This is our way of placing the emphasis of Christmas on the worship of Christ rather than on secular materialism and gift giving.”

Onlookers saw the main thoroughfare lined with candle lights as those gathered at the park were surrounded by a scenic panorama comprised of a a nativity scene consisting of an infant Christ, his parents, wise men, shepherds, an angel, and several farm animals. Several clergy narrators, and a seventy-voice choir also encompassed the perimeter of the audience.

Under the direction of Trevor Garrabrant, the Crestview High School Choir sang renditions of “O Come, O Come Immanuel,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Breath of Heaven,” “O Holy Night,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” and “Come All Ye Faithful.”

One of the clergy narrators, Reverend John Bouquet commented, “Dana (Futrell) has been a great asset to our community. Her commitment is a vivid reminder of how one person can inspire a community. Clearly tonight demonstrates the message of the manger still changes hearts today. Jesus is very much alive today, working in churches and our community. Our nation needs this message.”

The event was a complete community effort, led by Christ Community Evangelical Free Church, Bethel Baptist Church and Savannah United Methodist and supported by the Savannah Volunteer Fire Department and Savannah Lions Club.

The Mulford family portrayed the holy family, BCU Electric decorated the park, and CW Farm provided the staging.

Local farmers providing the donkeys and lambs were the White, Steward, Bernhard, and Hammon families. After the program children were invited to see the animals. Everyone had a part to play.

“We started this program to bring the community together,” said Dana’s husband, Reverend Michael Futrell, another narrator in the nativity story.

“It is very easy to be busy and to forget to invest in relationships with your neighbors that you share a community with. Our congregation (Christ Community Evangelical Free Church) is now partnering together with Bethel Baptist for Service Saturdays to reach the community with yard work and cleanup, painting, deep cleaning, and beautification.”

The two congregations share a mission to complete service projects for the communities of Savannah and Bailey Lakes and will be conducting a joint mission trip this coming year.

“We believe that the heart of the church is not just to stay contained in its walls but to take the church to the community,” Pastor Bouquet adds.

Without question it can be said that this Christmas program has not only brought a community together, it has also helped birth a mission.

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“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6