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Bethany Warnick of the Santa Margarita Stake depicts Mary in a live pageant called “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” on December 2, 2022. She is holding Gideon Stapleton, who portrays the Baby Jesus. Photo courtesy of Alan Gibby, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
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By Mary Richards, Church News
Live animals, costumed actors, a rustic manger and a humble stable are all part of the living Nativity pageant that has taken place in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, since 1998.
Over three nights, December 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.”
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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 December 2, 2022. The Baby Jesus was played by Gideon Stapleton. Photo courtesy of Alan Gibby, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
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.
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Spencer and Evan Hallstrom portray shepherds in a pageant called “Follow the Star: The Living Nativity” in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, on December 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of Alan Gibby, courtesy of Church News.All rights reserved.
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.”
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