Braden McClements found a special way to start the holiday season this year: He and his wife, Melissa, agreed to portray Mary and Joseph in the four live Nativity performances at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tinley Park.

“As an event, it’s the start of the holiday season and it really puts you in the mood to celebrate the coming of your lord and savior,” he said. “It’s a big deal. It sets it off in the right tone.

“It’s not about Santa and it’s not about gifts. It’s about the most perfect gift — the crucifixion.”

McClements said being chosen for the role was “humbling” and said to be able to help “and be part of a much bigger thing is really cool.”

Having his wife by his side made the role even more special.

“That was pretty cool with my wife,” he said. “You look over, and she’s holding the baby.

“We have two kids. It brings back some memories. And then you think, ‘It’s Jesus!’ And you giggle because it’s your wife.”

McClements doesn’t have any acting experience beyond portraying one of the three wise men eight years ago. “

But that’s easy — you (just) walk around the crowd outside,” he said. “This was inside with all the lights.”

The Homewood resident said having a role in the live Nativity has put him in the mood for the holiday season and its true meaning.

“I’ve probably been in a better mood for the holidays than in years past,” he said. “Maybe that’s the weather — or maybe not.”

McClements isn’t sure if he’ll represent Joseph again.

“I’m 42 years old. I don’t know how many years I can play a younger father,” he said with a smile. “If that’s something that’s going to hold up, then we’ll think about it.”

Having his kids see the couple participate in the Nativity was meaningful as well.

“It’s about them seeing our comfort level in supporting our church and spreading the gospel and not being afraid to support our faith,” McClements said.

Four live Nativity sessions took place earlier this month at Trinity Lutheran.

“It’s the retelling of Jesus’ birth,” said Dan Plattner, fellowship director.

“The story begins with the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will be with child, and then it moves to their journey to Bethlehem and finally the visit of the wise men and shepherds. I feel blessed every year to partake in presenting the most beautiful Christmas stories to our church and community. It is very spirit-lifting.”

“It’s a mini-journey through the pews,” said Mistee Plattner, the church’s business manager and Dan’s wife. “The three (wise men) see each other and then they see Herod. They interact with him for a while and then work the crowd and then head back to the stable.”

She said about 1,000 people came through the church as part of the live Nativity and accompanying marketplace outside, which she attributed to it being the first weekend of December when people hadn’t fully started their Christmas activities.

Eric Mooney, director of small groups at Trinity Lutheran, takes on a new role during the holiday season: portraying one of the wise men. He’s done that the last three years.

“I like the part of being a wise man because you get to interact with the audience,” he said. “You ask people ‘Have you seen the Christ child? Do you know where he is?’ The entire time you’re moving around and interacting with the crowd. … Generally kids are the ones pointing and telling you. Adults just sit there.”

Although Mooney’s only acting experience was as a kid doing plays, he spent 17 years in public education before starting his church position, so he’s used to speaking in front of people.

During one of this year’s performances someone had a baby in the audience.

“I asked if it was the Christ child. They said, ‘No — it’s twins!’ ” Mooney said with a laugh.

The production “makes Christmas more real. It makes it come alive and is more emotional,” Mooney shared. “I hate to compare it to a movie or a Broadway production, but it brings the words to life.”

The shows aren’t expensive to create, but “people still got a lot out of it — that’s meaningful,” he said. “The music and the lights and the costumes set a beautiful ambience.”

Although Trinity Lutheran opted not to have live animals in its displays this year, that wasn’t the case at The Center in Palos Park for its Pilgrimage to the Manger. The event Dec. 9 featured a few sheep, a donkey and horses.

“During the procession a portion of Scripture is read and Linda Gall leads the people in singing a Christmas carol. Mary and Joseph walk beside Leroy, our live donkey,” said the Rev. Nancy Nemeth, adding that wise men ride the horses, shepherds tend the sheep, and farm staff, volunteers and men from The Center’s Pathway program, handle the animals.

“The goal of the Pilgrimage is provide people an opportunity to experience what the first Christmas story felt like. This year 200 people attended.”

Nemeth said this year’s procession “went wonderfully! The weather was mild, and people said that it was the perfect beginning for the Christmas season.”

She believes that experiencing a live Nativity “brings the Christmas story to life. Hopefully, it opens people’s eyes to the reality of Christ who lives inside each of our hearts.”

For the pilgrimage, one of many live Nativities The Center puts on each year, Mary and Joseph were portrayed by Winona and Tyler Blaha-Gruszka. The mother, a staff member, had a baby in July.

Other actors also took on roles in the live Nativity. Stephanie Brock and her husband, Joseph Milne, portrayed Mary and Joseph on Dec. 19 during a luncheon at The Center. Their 8-month-old daughter Sophie represented the baby.

“It’s my first time in the program. I’ve watched it many times but never been part of it before,” Brock said. “It’s an honor because my mom works here. ... When Sophie came around Easter …. my mom said she had to play baby Jesus.”

As a new mother, the live Nativity hit home for Brock.

“The birth of a new baby and what it means … Seeing your child in a significant role means a lot,” she said.

Although Brock doesn’t have an acting background,

“I sing fabulously in the shower!” she joked.

She said “watching the faces of the fellowship and being part of sharing it with everybody” was the most rewarding part of participating.

“I feel honored that me and my family were asked to do this in a place that means so much. We’ll remember it for the rest of our lives,” she said.

Participating in the Nativity was also meaningful for Milne, who said he was volunteered but “was OK” with that.

“It’s a fun thing to do with my family,” he said. “It’s a great story about a miracle baby. I’m just glad we got to participate in it. She’s our miracle baby.”

For Milne, seeing the enthusiasm of everyone involved made it worth it.

“I’m thankful we got to do it,” he said. “It’s a story we can tell every Christmas as she gets older.”

Melinda Moore is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.