Sallisaw Church Offers ‘The Gift’

One local church invites guests to step back in time and discover the greatest miracle to ever happen.

Oak Ridge Assembly of God will host its seventh annual “The Gift,” a free drive-thru live nativity this weekend. Guests may drop by the church, at 2875 S. Kerr Blvd. in Sallisaw, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, Saturday, Dec. 1 or Sunday, Dec. 2.

Nathan Lowrimore, who oversees the production along with his wife, Amber, said the congregation just wants to remind area residents that “from the birth to the grave, Jesus came to save.” And that’s what guests will experience at the drive-thru nativity.

“We just want to remind everybody what the real reason for the season is,” Nathan Lowrimore said, adding that it takes approximately 70 people as actors and behind the scenes to produce “The Gift.” “It’s all about the birth of Jesus. He came in a lowly place so that he could relate with any man.”

Lowrimore explained that guests will stay in the warmth and comfort of their own vehicles as they pull into the church. They will enter the gates of Jerusalem and find Mary and Joseph as they try to find a warm place for her to give birth. They follow the couple through 15 different scenes, complete with live animals of donkeys, sheep and chickens. There are even soldiers on horseback the guests will encounter.

For guests who have attended the live nativity before, Lowrimore said it’s not the same experience as in previous years.

“The story is the same, but we’ve added and updated scenes,” Lowrimore said.

More than 760 attended last year’s performances; admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Pam Cloud, Managing News Director

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