Evie Pockatko, 10, pets a miniature horse during the live nativity at Nixon United Methodist Church on Dec. 9. Molly Miller/Butler Eagle

Leading up to Christmas Day, Nativity scenes across Butler County are highlighting the reason for the Dec. 25 holiday.

The Nativity scenes — some handmade — can be seen displayed outside churches, municipal buildings and at many homes across Butler County. Other versions of the Nativity tell the story of Jesus’ birth with live actors and animals.

Two Lancaster Township residents, Barb and Les Gutzwiller, serve as “caretakers” of a life-size Nativity scene that can be seen along Route 68 in Harmony.

“We do it in honor of my grandfather,” Barb said of the hand-made, oil-and-canvas Nativity scene, “but also as a gift to the community, because we believe Christmas is an important, important event for all people.”

The display features Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus surrounded by onlooking shepherds, wise men and angels. It was built in the 1940s by Jim Henderson. It was inspired by a paper Nativity gifted to his son, Bill.

Live nativities and retellings of the Christmas story were organized this month by Concordia at Cabot, Nixon United Methodist Church, Chicora Alliance Church and All Saints Parish.

The Kid’s Christmas Pageant is planned for 4 p.m. Sunday at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler.

The live Nativity at Concordia Lutheran Ministries was held on Dec. 10. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

The live Nativity at Concordia Lutheran Ministries was held on Dec. 10. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

The Nativity scene, which sits along Route 68 in Harmony, was built in the 1940s by Jim Henderson. It was inspired by a paper Nativity gifted to his son, Bill. Steven Dalton/Special to the Eagle

The Nativity scene, which sits along Route 68 in Harmony, was built in the 1940s by Jim Henderson. It was inspired by a paper Nativity gifted to his son, Bill. Steven Dalton/Special to the Eagle