The 125-year-old historical sanctuary of Rose Hill United Methodist Church will be the setting for an intimate, sentimental tour of unique nativity scenes from all over the world. The Night at The Manger event is set for Sunday, Dec. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. immediately following the children’s Christmas program, which beings at 5 p.m.

Angela Arndt, director of Youth Ministries, began the tradition in 2008 after contemplating how to best put the small historical sanctuary to use during the holiday season.

“Everyone in the church loves that old sanctuary and I wanted to do something special there. The idea came to me one day out of the blue,” she said.

The wooden pews are removed from the sanctuary and tables are brought in to replace them. The scene is like that of a museum; each nativity is set up surrounded by a cloud of tulle and soft lighting and accompanied by a story to read.

The tour ends outside, where there is a scene presented by the Youth Group in the courtyard behind the chapel.

“It is an interesting way to see how people of other countries, as well as our own country, creatively depict the birth of Jesus,” Arndt said.

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