There aren’t too many chances to see a live camel in Owensboro. But this weekend, Humphrey the Camel will be part of the Drive-Thru Living Nativity at Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Booth Avenue.
It’s a pretty sweet deal. You can stay in your warm car, drive as slow as you want to, and you even get a CD as a complimentary gift.
Pastor Tim McGuire remembers the first year, which was coincidentally his first year as pastor. “We didn’t have a camel that first year. We actually used a Llama and stuffed pillows under a blanket on his back to make it look like humps.”
That was fourteen years ago, but the annual tradition has grown since then and is still going strong for Cumberland Presbyterian. “This is our gift to the Owensboro community,” McGuire said.
With a church of 100-120 people, the Drive-Thru Living Nativity is a church-wide effort that requires everybody coming together to accomplish. Church members dress in character as shepherds, wise men, angels, and of course, Mary and Joseph. Other volunteers work behind the scenes cooking for all the volunteers or bringing them hot chocolate and coffee to keep them warm. Some work on costumes, props and scenery or tend to the animals. Other members set the displays up outside.
“And don’t forget the prayer warriors,” McGuire said. “Without the prayer warriors supporting everything we’re doing in prayer, this is just a play and not a ministry. If we’re not sharing Jesus then we’re just wasting our time. It’s all about Jesus, and sharing His story.”
The Drive-Thru Living Nativity is open Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 910 Booth Avenue.
For more information, call 270-683-4479 or find them on Facebook.
