Welcome to the presentation of the Calgary Nativity.  We are grateful for your attendance with us here this evening.  The presentation of the Nativity has been a tradition in Calgary for 61 years, primarily provided as a service to the community by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We want to thank one and all who have made this presentation possible for so many years in so many ways.  It has become an interfaith event as we recognize our shared belief in our Saviour Jesus Christ and celebrate His birth and life. It will continue to be put on by the Calgary Nativity Society.

For decades, this presentation has centred thousands on the meaning of Christmas and the gift of our Lord and Redeemer.  He is the only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary.  There is a special Spirit that warms my heart as I see travail and rejection from His beginnings, heralds and glad tidings of great joy for those that seek Him, warm and compassionate hearts in the chill of Calgary winters, and the bended knee of kings amongst the bleating, braying of lowly surroundings.  Jesus Christ is the great mender who brings all things into one.  He was born into opposition and yet unites all who choose Him.

I want to personally let you know of my belief in a personal Saviour who knows and loves us individually.  Because of Him, I cannot sink below His reach.  Because of Him, I can find peace in my valley of shadows. And because of Him, I can learn to love my fellow man better.  In this wonderful time of the year when hearts open, generosity flows, and we remember who it is that we worship, may we not forget to testify and witness of His redeeming love, His power to save and how we are changed because of Him.  May we share this belief with each heart we embrace, each relationship we have, and those that are brought into our path by Him.

He Lives! And we can too, both spiritually and physically, because of His great gift to us.

Merry Christmas to one and all,
With Love,

Kindal Robertson
Calgary Alberta West Stake President

The Nativity story, at its heart, is a story about hope entering the world and a long-awaited promise from God being fulfilled. Whether you approach that message through faith, tradition, culture, or simple human connection, the story I wanted to share is our story—our human experience in relation to that hope and promise. Some of us feel the weight of life’s burdens. Some are steady and comfortable. Some are waiting—quietly or desperately—for change. Some are filled with gratitude and peace. Others are navigating disappointment, anxiety, or fear.

Wherever we find ourselves, I believe we are all seekers in some way—waiting for answers, for healing, for peace, for belonging, for direction, for love, for clarity and understanding, and for God’s promises to be fulfilled. I, too, have felt hopeful and desperate, disappointed and grateful, hurt and healed, patient and impatient, and through it all, I have personally found hope, peace, and joy in Christ. Just as His birth changed the lives of the people in this story, He has changed mine.

In many ways, this production is my prayer for all of us: that we find peace and joy, and that in whatever each of us is waiting for, we may find strength and comfort along the way.

“God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”
— The Living Christ

Merry Christmas!

Nahee Choi
Artistic Director

SET BUILDING TEAM
Keith Sherwood (Lead)
Jared Dudley
Michael Draper
Troy Sherwood
Travis Sherwood
Martin Smith

PARKING, SAFETY, AND SECURITY TEAM
Dave Turner (Lead)
Rob Hopkins (Parking Lead)
Dave Clark (Safety Lead)
Working with many, many volunteers!

MARKETING SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
Jen & Jeremy Andrews (Lead)
Lindsay Parcells
Jeral Rodriguez
Amanda Taylor

AUDIENCE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Jake McLellan (Lead)
Christian Laplante
Scott Hill
Working with many, many volunteers!

SITE OPERATIONS TEAM
Trevor Seidel (Lead)
Jason Kellock
Scott Hill

The Calgary Nativity is a longstanding community Christmas tradition that began in 1964 under the direction of the Canada Calgary Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The mission president at the time, Carlos Smith, initiated the event after noting that Calgary lacked the type of public, biblically based Christmas play commonly found in other cities. The first production was held on the lawn of the former mission office on Elbow Drive. It featured a small cast of volunteers—along with a real donkey—establishing the foundation for what would become a beloved annual presentation.

From its modest beginnings 61 years ago, the production experienced steady, significant growth. Over the decades, it evolved into a major seasonal event supported by hundreds of volunteers from both the Latter-day Saint community and other faith traditions. Production quality expanded to include staged sets, professional lighting, digital sound and music, and a variety of live animals such as sheep, alpacas and donkeys. For many years, the production was performed on a hillside overlooking the marina near Heritage Park, attracting thousands of visitors and becoming a highlight of Calgary’s Christmas celebrations.

The Calgary Nativity has always been offered as a gift to the community. Admission is free, and the event is run entirely by volunteers and community donations through the Calgary Nativity Society. Attendees are often encouraged to bring donations such as non-perishable food items, toys, or other contributions to benefit local charities, including First Nations communities and organizations such as the Salvation Army.  This year, your food donations will be organized into 150 Christmas hampers for youth and their families in the Goodstoney, Bearspaw, and Chiniki First Nations.

Despite periodic pauses and discussions about costs, volunteer demand, and potential discontinuation—particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic—the tradition has continued. In 2023, the production relocated to the grounds of a Church meetinghouse at 2526 24 Avenue NW, near the University of Calgary, where it remains an outdoor experience that invites spectators to dress warmly and enjoy the retelling of the biblical nativity story.  Over 10,000 community members are expected to attend the production this year.

Today, the Calgary Nativity endures as a free, interfaith, family-friendly celebration that brings the community together to reflect on the message of the birth of Jesus Christ—offering themes of faith, hope, goodwill, and unity during the Christmas season.

We are grateful for the privilege of continuing this tradition and wish each of you a Christmas filled with hope, love, joy, and peace.

Thank you for coming!

Sincerely,

The Calgary Nativity Society
calgarynativity@gmail.com