Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

VALLEY — The Langdale Nativity is a local Christmas tradition that goes back close to 75 years now. It debuted in December 1948, and West Point Manufacturing Company President George H. Lanier spoke to a large gathering outside Langdale Mill to usher it in that first year.

The Nativity shifted from in front of the mill to Langdale Meadow in the 1950s, and it remained there for a number of years. Frequent flooding of nearby Moore’s Creek washed away some of the life-size figures of shepherds, their sheep and wise men on camels in some seasons. During one past Christmas season, The Valley Times-News ran a photo entitled “Saved by a Hook.” It showed a shepherd that had been washed into the creek and had been saved from being swept downstream to the Chattahoochee by its staff. It seems the hooked end caught hold on the concrete support structure underneath Fob James Drive and remained there before being rescued.

Each lost Nativity character had to be replaced before the next Christmas. This became increasingly expensive over the years. 

Eventually, sponsoring organization the Kiwanis Club of Valley made the decision to move to higher ground. A location between Langdale Methodist Church and 20th Avenue was chosen, and the Nativity has been on display there for the past several years.

It would take a Noah-type flood to wash them away now.

Even with no flooding, the life-size figures do show signs of aging as the years pass. 

Being out in December weather for days at a time will cause manikins to become brittle and their outfits to become worn.

There’s a like-new appearance this year. After much planning and acquiring the needed materials by Kiwanis Club members, seven new manikins this year represent four shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and the lead wise man. 

The three camels, including two that include mounted wise men, are holdovers from previous Christmas seasons. The hovering angel is a holdover as well.

Mildred Langley did a phenomenal job of sewing new outfits for each character.

Eleven animals – five sheep, three camels. a cow and two donkeys – are amazingly realistic and have been seen in the display for several years now. One of the camels has a cast on one of its hind legs. (It looks as if he was injured in a previous display, and the leg needs time to heal).

Members of the Kiwanis Club invite everyone to come and look at what they have gotten together for the current Christmas season. There’s parking across from the church that offers excellent viewing.

People are asked not to walk among the lifelike figures. There are portable lights people can stumble over and electric cords they can trip over. 

The weather alone takes a toll on the figures as the years pass. This can only worsen if people touch the manikins or their garments.