Away in a manger, a scene for the Messiah plays out on a Washington City farm

WASHINGTON CITY — Wiseman followed the calling to a manger in Washington City as residents performed a nativity scene at the Staheli Family Farm.

A drive-through Christmas light show can be found at Staheli Family Farm in Washington City, Utah, Dec. 13, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

Songs of joy by owner Sherrie Lou Tate roused the hearts of many as volunteer actors reenacted the birth of Jesus Christ with song and story at the farm’s final performance of the year.

“I thought I knew her pretty well, but I couldn’t believe that was the owner singing,” audience member Nathan Bunker said. “She sounded great, made the heart swell during that last song.”

Tate said Staheli Family Farm has been holding Christmastime events such as light shows and wagon rides for the last four years. For the last two decades, they have been providing a free nativity scene performed by volunteer wisemen, Josephs, Marys and a live baby Jesus.

“The tradition we have done for the last 20 years is our live nativity scene,” she said. “And that’s been a special thing the community gets to be a part of. We feel like it’s pretty magical on the farm during Christmas.”

Staheli Family Farm has been producing a live nativity scene at Christmastime in Washington City, Utah, Dec. 13, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

During the show on Wednesday, Tate talked about the dedication of the town residents who help pull off the performances year after year. For their first nativity show this year, it almost didn’t happen due to a lack of participants.

“In my mind, I had prepared myself to do a silent nativity of reflection for those that came,” she said.

With 20 minutes to showtime, two women she had never met drove onto the farm.

“They said, ‘Hey we heard you needed help with the nativity,’” Tate told the audience. “And then two more and then three more — and then we had a full cast. And it really was a lesson to me of faith.”

Established in 1889 by a Swiss immigrant, today’s Staheli Family Farm consists of 350 acres primarily producing beef, alfalfa and sugar beets. The farm also hosts family-friendly events year-round, such as Easter celebrations, corn mazes in the fall, Halloween events and even a Grandparents Day celebration.

A petting zoo is one of many wintertime events found at Staheli Family Farm in Washington City, Utah, Dec. 13, 2023 | Photo by Haven Scott, St. George News

For residents who might be new to the area and have never been, the farm crew are inviting all to spend some time outdoors this winter for the next couple of weeks.

Southern Utahns can still view the drive-in light show on the farm, visit the gift shop in the silo or grab some hot chocolate and other treats until Dec. 23 from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“We know we have become a tradition for a lot of families,” Tate noted. “So we just invite people, if they haven’t been out here, if they haven’t experienced the farm — in the winter it’s a whole different feeling.”

Staheli Family Farm is located at 3400 South Washington Fields Road in Washington City. For more information on upcoming events, visit their website.

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