The Nativity story comes to life in lights

Tucked behind Grandville United Methodist Church in Michigan is an eye-catching light display that brings the Christmas story to life. The 15-minute show, featuring more than 6,000 twinkling lights, runs from 5 to 9 each evening from early December through Epiphany in January. Lilla Marigza takes us there.

Watch video

In 2023, the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church shared this story about the Rev. Ryan Wieland and the collaborators who created the light show.

For more information on the light show, contact Grandville United Methodist Church.

Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.

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