DEERFIELD — The First Church of Deerfield’s Living Manger scene returns to the Deerfield Inn stable once again today at 5:30 p.m. for the 40th year in a row.
The church’s Family Christmas Eve service at 71 Old Main St. will start at 4:30 p.m.
Following the service, attendees will only have 30 minutes to see the living nativity featuring actors portraying Mary, Joseph, Jesus, shepherds and wise men. There will be farm animals from Yazwinski Farm and local veterinarian Robert Schmitt.
According to Tim Neumann, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association executive director, the living manger will close “promptly at 6 p.m. although cookies and cider at the Deerfield Inn will be served until 6:30.”
Neumann said the annual Christmas event is put on with help from the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Historic Deerfield and the First Church of Deerfield.
Generations of Deerfield families and many of its institutions have been involved since the event was organized by Rev. Ron Evans of the First Church of Deerfield in 1976.
Past community members of note who’ve acted in the living nativity include Michael Kitteredge, founder of Yankee Candle, and his son, Michael, who founded Kringle Candle in Bernardston.
Over the years, the event has featured animals including a yak — with its Tibetan handler — and a baby camel from Trigellys Fiber Farm in Hawley.
Neumann said this year’s animals will include calves, pigs, a donkey, goats and chickens.