By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

WILTON – Wilton Baptist Church is preparing for its annual Christmas event for the community, albeit with a few changes this year.

The church’s “Hometown Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 14, will feature a live nativity outside as in previous years, along with children’s activities and refreshments inside the church.

In 2017, the church’s usual “Night in Bethlehem” outdoor nativity program was snowed out, according to Pastor Greg Sellers, and an indoor event was held instead.

This year’s event will feature indoor and outdoor components, weather permitting.

“This is not the traditional Night in Bethlehem we’ve done in the past, but it will have some familiar parts to it,” Sellers said. “We want families to have an opportunity to do stuff together, but also be sure that we still share the true meaning of Christmas with them.”

Festivities will kick off with a Christmas tree lighting and Christmas caroling at 5 p.m.

Families can participate in pictures with Santa, cookie decorating and a Christmas craft.

Soup and chili will be served inside as well.

A hayride will take people on a guided tour through the nativity scenes outside.

Hot chocolate and kettle corn will be available next to the hayride.

“It’s going to be different than what we’ve done in the past, but we think it’s been a good change with bringing this part back this year,” Sellers said of the nativity.

The event is free to attend and open to the community.

Wilton Baptist Church is located at 212 Selma Street in Wilton and is on Facebook @Wilton Baptist Church – Wilton, AL.