Living Nativity draws hundreds in North Idaho

More than 40 Catholic children bring the story of Christ’s birth to life at St. Mary’s Parish in Moscow

Owen Rhoden and Ellie Flanders, both 10, played the parts of Joseph and Mary in the Nativity story. Flanders recited  the Magnificat, Mary's hymn of praise found in Luke 1:46–55, multiple times during the evening. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

By Lisa Ormond

ICR North Idaho Correspondent

On a cold, dark December night in North Idaho, an outdoor living nativity, starring more than 40 Catholic children in homemade costumes and surrounded by live farm animals, came to life in all its glory before an audience of more than 200 community members.

“The participation and viewers at this year’s event was over double the amount of our first two years,” marveled Erin Clemm, event organizer and religious education coordinator at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Moscow. “What an exciting night and truly a thrill of hope for our entire community.”

Unfolding the beauty

The biblical re-enactment of Jesus’ birth shone brightly on the holy grounds of St. Mary’s parish on Dec. 12. It was the only Catholic, public nativity celebration of its kind in the region. It included four main scenes, or stations, which attendees walked through, viewed and heard more from the children about the biblical story of Jesus’ birth.

“Watching the kids actively participate and showcase the nativity is a testament to their faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ,” she said.

Angel actors process toward the manger next to the church during the Nativity event. There were about a dozen angels in all involved in the re-enactment, and several had speaking parts. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond) 

This was the third year St. Mary’s Church hosted the celebration, inviting not only area Catholics but also community members to its parish grounds for a childlike presentation of wonder, peace and reverence for more than an hour.

According to Clemm, this year’s living nativity featured the youngest generation of Catholics, ages 4 to 14, showcasing the Christian story of significance about the true meaning of Christmas.

“We had many kids who wanted speaking parts and several who simply wished to silently be involved. We are truly blessed with these young, beautiful souls,” she said.

Parish children proudly play their shepherd parts in the St. Mary’s Living Nativity event. Over 200 community members came to see the Biblical story re-enacted outside on Dec. 12. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Young cast steps forward

With excitement and eagerness, the young actors launched into their roles and delighted audiences with their costumes, talents and smiles. The cast included the main characters of Mary and Joseph, soldiers, wise men, angels, shepherds, cows, donkeys and sheep.

The story’s narrator was 11-year-old Chloe Fowler of St. Augustine’s parish. This was her third year as a participant.

“I graduated to the narrator part,” said Fowler. “I was an angel the previous two years, and I really wanted to do this, so I was excited.”

Over 40 children ages 4 to 14 participated in the Dec. 12 outdoor Living Nativity event and celebration at St. Mary’s in Moscow. The joyful young actors and live animals delighted audiences with their costumes, talents, smiles and soulful re-enactment of Jesus’ birth. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Ellie Flanders, 10, of St. Mary’s, volunteered for the part of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was her first year doing so. At the stable by the manger, Flanders recited the Magnificat, also known as the Song of Mary found in the Gospel of Luke, several times that night.

“I’ve wanted to do Mary for a while,” she said. “I was a little nervous the first time I read my lines. But then I realized I shouldn’t be nervous. It was all OK.”

The role of Joseph was played by Owen Rhoden, 10, of St. Augustine’s.

“My mom asked me to play the part, and I said yes,” he said.

There were about a dozen angels involved in the Living Nativity and several had speaking parts. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Angelic choir complements

Upon completing the walking nativity, people experienced pleasing, melodic sounds of classic Christmas songs performed by more than a dozen carolers at the church doors.

The core group comprised St. Mary’s music ministers, but St. Mary’s pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Onyemachi, SMMM, joined their voices in praise.

“The sound was so glorious, just lifting in the air from the front steps of the church,” said Cynthia Muskat, the parish’s music ministry coordinator. “Many voices sang words of joy from their hearts.”

About a half dozen live sheep and goats took part in the nativity alongside their handlers and the shepherd actors during the night. (Photo/Stephanie Montreuil)

Trust leads to fruits

St. Augustine parish member Amanda Fowler lives in Troy, Idaho, and three of her daughters participated in the cast, including Chloe, who served as the main narrator.

Fowler said during her childhood growing up in Nez Perce, Idaho, after Christmas Midnight Mass, all the grandchildren would gather together to act out the nativity scene.

“It was a tradition I fondly remember,” Fowler recalled.

Her family’s tradition inspired her to come forward and suggest the Christmas nativity.

It was Fowler, Clemm and St. Mary’s youth ministry coordinator Jenny Morrison’s passion, vision and partnership in 2023 that united area Catholic families and children to embrace this new tradition within their faith community.

“I know I was concerned about creating the nativity celebration from nothing three years ago, but it really all came together, and here we are now,” said Morrison.

(Photo/Cynthia Muskrat)

The goodness and the graces

At the end of the evening, cast and community members gathered in celebration in the parish hall for cookies, cocoa, craft activities and friendly fellowship.

Right away, Clemm said, the children were already looking forward in anticipation to 2026.

“Immediately, after the last run of the nativity, the kids began asking me if they could do it again next year,” she said. “They were asking if they could play a different part, then they immediately wanted to share what they liked about this year—so many bright, smiling faces eager to participate again.”

A moment of pause for Clemm led to immediate words of gratitude.

“Once again, it couldn’t be done without the grace of God, without his blessing,” she said. “After that, each wonderful person who offered their ‘Yes’ when asked made it possible.”

St. Mary’s Music Minister Susie Johnson leads parish carolers and musicians at the Nativity event. The entire community joined their voices in singing joyfully over a dozen Christmas Classics. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

The 2025 Living Nativity group of animals, choir and actors which more than doubled in participation numbers over the previous two years. This was the third year for the Christmas community event and celebration. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Community members gathered in the St. Mary’s parish hall afterwards for cookies, cocoa, Advent activities, and fellowship. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Catholic friends, from left to right, Amanda Fowler, Erin Clemm and Jenny Morrison—have united their talents, area Catholic families, children and their passion for the Living Nativity for the past three years. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)