Photo supplied by Heather Neilson Photography
A photo of the performance of the live nativity scene “The Miracle of Christmas” in 2014, a tradition that goes back to 1978. It will take place from Monday to Thursday, April 20-23. December 2021, as part of the activities of North Pole at Barker Park in North Ogden.
NORTH OGDEN – After a hiatus last year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, “The Miracle of Christmas,” a local tradition dating back to 1978, returns.
The live nativity scene will be performed several times this week in the Barker Park amphitheater as part of North Ogden’s Christmas party, The North Pole at Barker Park.
“It’s a very simple, straightforward program,” says Tammy Hunt, who helps organize the nativity show with 30-45 performers plus a camel, donkey, horses, sheep and other animals. As the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, the event was canceled last year for the first time since its inception.
The North Pole in Barker Park with Christmas displays, an electric light show and Santa Claus takes place from Monday to Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The park is located at 2375 Fruitland Drive and entry is free.
As part of the North Pole activities, “The Miracle of Christmas” is performed every day from Monday to Thursday at 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM. The program plays the story of the birth of Jesus.
The North Pole in Barker Park is co-funded by the North Ogden Parks and Recreation Department. City officials say the inclusion of the Christianity-rooted crib program does not violate church-state separation norms as it is an element of North Pole event activities and is funded by private donors. A privately funded Hanukkah display will also be part of the North Pole activities.
“Typically, the city does not invest money or staff time in certain religious holiday displays, but rather uses that money, and most of the time, from private groups,” said Jon Call, North Ogden’s city attorney. The city, he said, was only helping fund the light show, Santa Claus performance, and other secular elements of the holiday activities.
Other faiths are welcome to represent their religions at the event, Mayor S. Neal Berube said, although they should focus on the November, December and January holidays. “It is open to all religions,” he said.
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