A unique holiday event in Lehi transformed the traditional nativity scene into an immersive fundraising experience, drawing hundreds of volunteers and visitors while supporting global housing initiatives and families with special needs.
Bringing Bethlehem to Utah
Over 250 volunteers participated in “A Babe is Born,” a five-day live nativity production organized by ROAM Humanitarian in Lehi this week. The event featured authentic elements including live donkeys, sheep, and carefully crafted scenes depicting the biblical Christmas story.
Unlike static nativity displays, this production offered visitors an interactive journey through first-century Bethlehem. Attendees explored bustling market stalls, observed traditional craft demonstrations, and encountered barnyard animals before witnessing the nativity story unfold through live performances.
Humanitarian Goals Behind the Celebration
Event organizer Alisa Clawson explained the dual purpose driving the production. While celebrating Christmas traditions, ROAM Humanitarian aims to fund construction of 10 homes during 2026 in their partner countries worldwide.
The organization collaborates with local groups in various nations, supporting their development efforts through fundraising events like the live nativity. This approach ensures resources reach communities most effectively while empowering regional organizations already working on the ground.
Partnership with United Angels Foundation
Saturday’s event featured a special collaboration with the United Angels Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting families raising children with special needs. This partnership added deeper meaning to the Christmas celebration.
United Angels board member Oakley Peterson noted the profound connection between commemorating Christ’s birth and honoring children with unique abilities. The partnership highlighted how holiday celebrations can create inclusive spaces while advancing important causes.
Interactive Historical Experience
Visitors encountered multiple stations throughout their journey, each offering hands-on experiences. Market vendors displayed period-appropriate goods, while artisans demonstrated ancient crafts. A functioning bakery filled the air with fresh bread, recreating the sensory atmosphere of biblical times.
Potter Regan Berry volunteered her skills throughout the event, creating clay vessels on a traditional wheel. She described the joy of contributing her craft while witnessing visitors’ excitement as they connected with the Christmas story through tangible experiences.
The pottery demonstration served educational purposes, showing guests how everyday items were produced two millennia ago. Such details transformed the event from simple entertainment into an educational experience about daily life during Christ’s era.
Animal Encounters Add Authenticity
Live animals provided authentic touches that delighted visitors of all ages. Gentle donkeys and sheep allowed guests to interact with creatures that would have been common in ancient Bethlehem, creating memorable moments for families.
These animal encounters particularly resonated with children, helping younger visitors engage with the historical narrative through direct experience rather than passive observation. The presence of actual livestock bridged the gap between ancient stories and modern understanding.
Culminating Performance
Each visit concluded with a walk through the inn, where volunteer actors portrayed Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and other traditional nativity figures. These performances brought the familiar Christmas story to life through dramatic interpretation.
Volunteers worked to create emotional connections between audiences and the centuries-old narrative. Rather than simply reciting the story, actors aimed to help visitors feel present during Christ’s birth through immersive staging and heartfelt performances.
Creating Meaningful Holiday Experiences
Clawson expressed her hope that attendees experienced something beyond typical holiday obligations. She wanted visitors to feel Christ’s love and the genuine spirit of Christmas rather than simply checking items off seasonal to-do lists.
This intention reflected growing interest in meaningful holiday experiences over commercial traditions. By combining spiritual reflection with humanitarian action, the event offered participants a way to celebrate Christmas values through concrete support for vulnerable communities.
Continuing Performances in Heber City
Following the successful Lehi run, “A Babe is Born” will relocate to Wasatch County next week. The event will take place at the County Event Complex in Heber City from Thursday through Saturday evening.
Tickets remain available for those wishing to attend the Heber City performances. The continuation allows more Utah families to experience the production while expanding ROAM Humanitarian’s fundraising reach.
The Heber City venue offers a different setting for the production, potentially attracting audiences from surrounding mountain communities. This expansion demonstrates the scalability of combining entertainment, education, and charitable fundraising.
Impact Beyond Entertainment
Events like “A Babe is Born” represent an evolving approach to holiday celebrations and charitable giving. Rather than separating entertainment from philanthropy, such productions integrate both elements seamlessly.
Visitors receive memorable experiences while simultaneously contributing to housing construction in developing nations and support for special needs families. This model proves that holiday events can serve multiple purposes without diminishing any single objective.
The volunteer commitment of 250 individuals reflects community desire to participate in meaningful seasonal activities. By offering opportunities to act in performances, demonstrate crafts, or care for animals, the event engaged diverse skills and interests.
Building Homes Through Christmas Celebration
ROAM Humanitarian’s goal of constructing 10 homes in 2026 provides tangible outcomes for event fundraising. This specific target allows supporters to understand exactly how their participation translates into real-world impact.
Housing represents a fundamental human need, making it a fitting focus for an event celebrating Christ’s humble birth. The connection between the nativity story, where Mary and Joseph sought shelter, and modern housing initiatives creates thematic resonance.
As the event moves to Heber City, organizers hope to maintain momentum toward their 2026 building goals while spreading Christmas joy throughout Utah communities. The live nativity demonstrates how creative programming can advance humanitarian missions while honoring religious traditions.
