The Nativity story comes to life in lights

By Lilla Marigza
Dec. 12, 2025 | GRANDVILLE, Mich. (UM News)

Grandville United Methodist Church in Michigan wows neighbors with a 15-minute light show set to music. Video by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

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.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now

Immigration

In a Nativity scene at Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Dallas, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus are depicted being held in a detention center, as a protest of how immigrants are being treated in the United States. “We feel it’s important to depict the parallel of what’s happening in our world with what we understand to have been happening in the biblical story of the birth of Jesus,” said the Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison, senior pastor of Oak Lawn. Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

Nativity scenes, art spotlight immigration

Some United Methodist churches are reimagining their annual Christmas Nativity displays to protest the federal government’s raids on suspected undocumented immigrants.

Local Church

Volunteer Kalvin Davis helps a family select a tree from the artificial “tree farm” at Faith Community Church of Coopersville, Michigan, a United Methodist congregation. Video image by Lilla Marigza, UM News.

Artificial tree farm brings joy to families with special needs

United Methodist ministry provides a unique experience for families living with sensory issues, allergies or physical disabilities.

Faith Sharing

new-year-2025-heron-umnews-previewImage by Adrian Campfield, courtesy of Pixabay; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Graphic for New Year available to share on social media.

Graphic for New Year available to download and share on social media.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!