Eastern Iowa's Nativity displays, events celebrate reason for season

The Nativity Celebration, an annual non-denominational community Nativity exhibit and music program, coordinated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4150 Blue Jay Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, will be held this year Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the church.

The centerpiece of the exhibit is the restored Armstrong-Smulekoff Nativity, a nearly life-size 12-piece plaster Nativity set that originally came to Cedar Rapids as a window display in Armstrong's Department Store. It was restored after the Floods of 2008.

More than 740 other nativities from around the world also are on display. The free event includes light refreshments, children's crafts and live music.

The two-day event drew more than 1,500 visitors in 2012. Body copy ragged right: There is no admission. Guests are encouraged to bring canned food items for area food banks.

For more information and a schedule of musical performances go to Crnativity.org.

Other area churches and communities also have faith-based seasonal events:

• Wyoming Christmas City Celebration, 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Includes a Nativity display in addition to a tree walk, sales, tours and activities.
• Women of Faith Christmas Simulcast, 6 p.m. Dec. 6, Dysart United Methodist Church, 602 Tilford St., Dysart. This event features popular authors and speakers Max Lucado, Rick Warren, Sheila Walsh and Lisa Harper. The musical guest for the evening will be Francesca Battistelli. There will be popcorn, cookies and refreshments available. Cost: $10.
• Christmas in the Valley, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Cedar Valley Bible Church, 3636 Cottage Grove Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. An evening of traditional and contemporary Christmas music and stories presented in a variety show format. Features musicians and performers from Cedar Valley and Antioch Bible churches and Kennedy and Washington high schools. Emcee is David Drewelow and band leader is Nick Glew.
• Big Band Christmas Concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14, New Covenant Bible Church, 3090 N. Center Point Rd., Cedar Rapids. Celebrate Christmas with a Big Band flair! Enjoy an upbeat evening of vocals and instrumentals in the big band jazz tradition.
• “When Christmas Came” Christmas Musical, 6 p.m. Dec. 14 and 8:30 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 15, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave. NE, Marion. An original Christmas musical for the whole family. The play follows the story of a modern family on Christmas Eve as they busily prepare to host a party. The presentation will include live bands, vocal groups, dancers, a full cast of intriguing characters and more.
• Deutche Weihnachten, 4 p.m. Dec. 15, Zion Lutheran Church, 310 N. Johnson St., Iowa City. The Weihnachten service has been at Zion since December of 1973 when intern Waldemar “Val” Gies offered to begin a German Christmas service at Zion. Hymns, readings, prayers, and preaching are all in German and yet in an accessible way for English speakers.