Event tells story of Jesus' life
Hayride looks at more than just birth of Christ
Sharon Baptist Church plans to celebrate the true reason for Christmas with its annual Hayride Through the Life of Christ.
For the fifth year, members of the Appling church will lead visitors on a hayride through the life of Christ from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Columbia Road.
The hayride includes 16 scenes from Jesus' life brought to life through re-enactments and narration.
"It starts from the prediction of his coming all the way through his Resurrection, the total life of Christ," said Jean Kelly, a church spokeswoman.
Kelly said most nativity scenes end with the birth of Christ. Sharon Baptist offers visitors a look at Jesus' life to understand why his birth should be celebrated.
Visitors travel in a tractor-pulled trailer past 16 scenes as a narrator tells the story. As the group stops at each scene, re-enactors tell the stories
The scenes, which change each year, include the traditional manger scene with Mary and Joseph. The hayride also includes the story of the woman at the well, the wise men traveling the road to find the infant Messiah, and Christ's eventual Crucifixion and Resurrection.
"We've gotten a lot of good response," Kelly said.
Many people are surprised that there is not a donation jar at the event, she said. "Everything is free. Also, we have live animals, so the children love it."
Free hot chocolate and a heated staging area for guests to wait will be provided and no one in line at the 9:30 p.m. close time will be turned away, Kelly said. "We'll stay there as long as it takes."
For more information, call the church at (706) 541-0667, the Rev. Andy Collins at (706) 541-2027 or Kelly at (706) 541-1532.