“Living Nativity” Featuring Sheep And Goats Returns To New Utrecht Reformed Church On Saturday

Back by popular demand, the “Living Nativity” will return to the New Utrecht Reformed Church’s front lawn, 1828 83rd Street, this Saturday, December 21 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Each year, hundreds come to the Bensonhurst house of worship to witness the manger scene featuring live animals, such as sheep, goats and a young cow, along with actors in biblical costumes.

According to Susan Hanyen, vice president of New Utrecht’s Consistory, “We start getting phone calls asking about the date as early as April. We began the popular tradition in 1956. It’s actually kind of a ‘Christmas card’ we offer to our neighborhood and beyond.”

The church lawn’s manger site dates back many years. Currently undergoing repairs and restoration, the nearby church sanctuary building, which now a part of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) denomination, was built in 1928. New Utrecht Reformed Church was founded by Dutch settlers in 1677.