Groveland Twp. – Celebrating its 30th year at the old Scramlin Farms barn, built in 1878, the Mount Bethel United Methodist Church will present their annual living nativity re-enactment of the birth of Christ.
‘We tell the old, traditional story,? said Marvin Scramlin, owner of Scramlin Farms in Holly. ‘It will be my job to gather up all of the chickens, turkeys, lambs, ducks, a calf, and a donkey,? he said.
Members of the Mount Bethel United Methodist Church will be dressed up to play the various roles. The barn service has become so popular over the years, the church will offer two services. One at 5 p.m., and another at 7 p.m., on Dec. 9 at the Scramlin farm, 3620 Jossman Road, Holly.
What started out 30 years ago in the old barn as an annual church service about the nativity, turned into a realistic portrayal of the birth of Christ in the year 2000, when Margot Bussy, (now living in Texas) a member of the church with a theatrical background, decided to take the barn service to a new level.
Scramlin said the audience will get to sing all of the traditional Christmas carols throughout the production. ‘We will also have a choir from Holly Calvary to help everyone sing along,? he said.
The charm of the 130-year-old barn is consistent with the authenticity of the production. Scramlin said he will set up several rows of hay bales to seat 170 people per service. Because the barn is so old, Scramlin said a lot of people are fascinated by it.
‘During the year, I put about 12,000 bales of hay in the barn. When people see the barn full of hay they say, ‘Where are you going to have the barn service? The barn is full of hay.? I always reassure them that the hay will be gone,? said Scramllin.
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, Scramlin said the roads to the barn were jammed with traffic. ‘We didn’t know that was going to happen,? he said.
Scramlin said dress warm because the old barn isn’t heated.
A free-will offering will be taken. All donations will go to the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund.