The camel has been rented, the costumes sorted and more than 100 volunteers are ready to brave the chilly winter weather as the Church of Christ-Christian in Albert Lea prepares to kick off the Christmas season.

The church’s annual drive-through live nativity is slated to start Friday night.

“We’ve had Black Friday, so now it’s time to start really focusing on why we celebrate Christmas,” said the Rev. Vern Harris.

This is the 17th year the church has hosted the event.

As in the past, people are invited to drive their vehicles through the church’s circle drive to see live actors — and animals — re-enact the story about the birth of Jesus. Seven separate scenes will highlight the events from the eve when Jesus was born: the prophetic promise, the decree, no room at the inn, the first to hear of his coming, born in a manger, wise men from the east, calvary and the empty tomb.

Last year, church officials estimated that more than 2,000 people drove through to see this local live re-creation of the Christmas story.

“It has become a Christmas holiday tradition not only for the church, but also for the community,” said Harris.

According to Kim Storvick, office administrator, it takes more than 100 people to pull off this reenactment each year, with actors, set workers, scene managers and costume helpers.

Again this year, about 20 parishioners from Albert Lea Vineyard Church have also pitched in.

Because traffic often gets backed up on Marshall Street, the church will also have people assigned to stand at nearby intersections, directing traffic, to help keep motorists moving along smoothly.

Storvick said two shifts of actors will rotate their parts during the nativity, with each shift running about 20 minutes.

During their breaks, actors will come inside the church to warm up with hot cocoa and cider. A full warm meal acts as another motivator for all of the volunteers.

Of course, a live nativity of the Christmas story wouldn’t be complete without stable animals. Local farmers help out by bringing in donkeys and sheep, and camels have been rented from a company in Iowa.

“We’ll probably have a few mice, but we don’t invite them,” said Harris.

If you go

The Church of Christ-Christian will host its 17th annual drive-through live nativity Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.

The nativity is in the circle drive of the church parking lot, located at 1705 SE Marshall St., Albert Lea.

There will be a one-way route set up to drive through, and church officials recommend driving directions as follows: Take East Main Street, turn south on Fenton Avenue and turn west on SE Marshall Street. Enter the first driveway of the church parking lot. Volunteers and signs will be set up to direct drivers.

Cars need to turn off their lights as they enter the parking lot. Spotlights will light the way,

With heavy snow in the forecast, a snow date has been set for Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Call 507-373-0814 or 507-373-1533 to check on the event status in case of inclement weather.