How is it that this unusual group of people are gathered at the same place at the same time focusing attention on one small baby while gathered in ... a garden shed? Art students of Lakeland Christian School staged an “outside-the-box” Christmas story scene to represent a modern-day parallel to the circumstances surrounding the story of the birth of Christ. They had no costumes, no lines. People came as they were, here and now, in 2013. What started out to be a tame nativity project in a high school art class turned into a modern-day reimagine. The photo took place in the parking lot of a local hotel lit by a semi-circle of car headlights. If Mary and Joseph traveled through Warsaw, perhaps they would have been given a shed behind a local hotel as “there was no room in the inn.” That’s where the photo began. Lit by car headlights fanned across a dark parking lot, the cast was gathered. Students aimed for ultimate authenticity. Each component and character of the Biblical account was discussed and researched in order to create as close of a modern parallel as possible. Mary laid the baby in a manger because that’s what was there. So, a wheelborrow and some old newspapers made a cozy bed for baby Sammy Poe. Wise and notable members of the community, some with astronomy connections, were nominated and extended invitations to stand as wise men. Gleaned from class discussion, it was determined that a modern rendition of shepherds could be the "first responders" of the community ready and willing to assist to any hour of the night or day. There was much shifting around of people and props as the student creativity directors but the moment baby Poe was laid in the wheelborrow (snug with soft clean blankets underneath), she beamed a huge smile in the direction of the shepherds. One thing each member of the original Christmas Story had in common is that they were all at the right place at the right time. The final photograph was later transformed into a modern street scene and served as LCA’s cover design for the 2013 Christmas Card mailing. The star, which, according to class discussion served as the modern GPS satellite directing God's chosen audience to the birth of His Son, was photoshopped into the design as well. “The photo served its purpose a hundred times over,” commented LCA art teacher Christi Ziebarth, “The class discussion and study that prompted the modern translation helped to bring the Christmas Story home to our hearts and to their generation. It was a winning combination of artistic vision and illuminating a timeless truth.” Student Page Price said, “This project makes me think, ‘How would I respond to seeing the birth of my Savior?’ Although the times, customs, and fashions have changed, the fact that God sent His only Son into this broken world for us as a tiny baby has not and will not change.” Emily Slone, student, said, “It was awesome that we could get people together like we did and recreate such a memorable day. It was truly amazing.” “It wasn’t just an ordinary nativity scene, and that’s what made it so special!” said student Landon Buller. Added student Taylor Rodgers, “This was different. I like different because it stands out and catches the eye of normal. Instead of a verbal message, we used a photo message to impact our community. A photo can’t be twisted like words. It is what it is.” Student Kyle Shuler concluded, “What if Jesus was born in our town? Who would come and worship our King? It makes us think, ‘would I have gone?’ Would God have chosen me to see his son’s birth?’ Just because Jesus was not born in our age, his is still here and we need to worship him.”
