It was the second year of the live outdoor Nativity organized by Meadows Church in Langley, an event Pastor Mike Olynyk said began because of an unexpected setback last year.
“Four days before we were supposed to have our Sunday service, we had a call from the district saying, ‘Sorry, your rental’s been canceled because we’re renovating the floor,’ Pastor Olynyk recalled.
“And so, we prayed about it, and we thought about it, and went, let’s just do it outside.”
With the money they saved on renting the space at Langley Meadows Community School, the church could afford to bring in live animals for a petting zoo, followed by their presentation of the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Christ with volunteer performers portraying the Biblical story.
“So, we just went big, and that’s how it started, and year two we’re doing it again.”
A live outdoor Nativity at Langley's Meadows Church pic.twitter.com/vDyhGCNCaT
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) December 22, 2025
Which is why, on the Sunday before Christmas, the school parking lot was occupied by a petting zoo and live performers, accompanied by live music with hot chocolate and gas fire pits under portable rain shelters.
“What I love about this is that people aren’t driving here,” Olynyk told the Langley Advance Times.
“They’re walking from their homes in the community in Langley Meadows to this event.”
Meadows Church Families and Congregational Life Pastor Jenna Tulman said there were a few improvements for year two.
“We have a few more lights. We’ve got a few more animals, and we also have an actual baby [portraying the Christ child] this year,” Tulman said.
“It went really well last year, and so we decided to do it again this year.”
Meadows Church wll hold a one-hour Christmas Eve service from 2 to 3 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 28, Meadows Church is renting ice at Langley Sportsplex for a free community skating night from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
More information is available online at www.meadowschurch.ca.