Live animals, costumed actors, a rustic manger and a humble stable are all part of a living Nativity pageant that has taken place in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, since 1998.
Over three nights Dec. 2-4, members of the Santa Margarita California Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” for thousands of spectators.
Bethany Warnick, a member of the Altisima Ward, has played the part of Mary many times over the years, including this year.
“As I depict Mary, my faith grows as I think of the faith that Mary had,” Warnick said. “As I hold the baby that is depicting the Christ child, I am filled with love and peace. I am filled with a greater perspective of God’s infinite love for me and each member of the audience.”
Shawn Larsen and Bethany Warnick of the Altisima Ward portray Joseph and Mary in a living Nativity with other members of the Santa Margarita California Stake on Dec. 2, 2022. The Baby Jesus was played by Gideon Stapleton.
Alan Gibby
Nathan Draper, 17, from the Tijeras Canyon Ward, has played a shepherd in years past and welcomed the audience for some of this year’s shows. The opportunity allows him to give a brief testimony of the Savior each time.
“I have been involved with ‘Follow the Star’ for many years. This year I was able to stand in front of the crowd and testify my love for Christ,” Nathan said. “This experience followed by watching the living Nativity really helped me and my community feel the spirit of Christmas.”
Members of other faiths are also involved in the performances, helping the stake put in hundreds of hours of preparation for the free event. The show includes an exhibit inside the stake center with hundreds of international Nativities on display.
Spencer and Evan Hallstrom portray shepherds in a pageant titled, “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
During the pageant, actors portraying Mary and Joseph make the journey to pay their taxes and find there is no room at any inn. But an innkeeper leads them to the stable. A bright new star appears high in the sky against the backdrop of Saddleback Mountain, and an angel appears to the shepherds and three kings make a visit to a real baby.
The performance ends with a special testimony-building moment, said Warnick.
“As the light fades on the rest of the cast a spotlight is left only on the Baby Jesus, allowing the cast and the audience to focus on God’s greatest gift to the world, the true meaning of Christmas — His Son.”
See more photos from this year’s event below.
A young woman sings a Christmas song before the Santa Margarita Stake production of “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
David “DJ” Richins, a member of a local church in the area, portrays a Roman centurion in the Santa Margarita California Stake pageant titled “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Reed Feist plays the innkeeper in a pageant production titled, “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Noah and Ryan Shayner and Mason Peterson portray shepherds with a live sheep for the Santa Margarita California Stake production of “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Shawn Larsen and Bethany Warnick of the Altisima Ward portray Joseph and Mary in a living Nativity in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Meredith Suman portraying an angel appearing to shepherds in the “Follow the Star” pageant in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Holland Allebes Anderson portrays an angel appearing to shepherds in the “Follow the Star” pageant in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Three kings visit the Christ child in the Santa Margarita California Stake production of “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Nativities are displayed in the Santa Margarita California Stake center on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Nativities are displayed in the Santa Margarita California Stake center on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
Nativities are displayed in the Santa Margarita California Stake center on Dec. 2, 2022.
Alan Gibby
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