Churches in Gloucester and Mathews took time out in the week before Christmas to present Living Nativity scenes. In top photo, the Gwynn’s Island Church of the Nazarene has been doing its Living Nativity scenes for decades. Last Thursday, those taking part included, from left, Jim Payne, Terry Clarke, Jesse Rowe, Hiram Wood (age 92, as Joseph), Debbie Farmer (as Mary), Pastor Dave McKnight and Tracey Wood. In middle photo, church and community members gathered Sunday afternoon at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Bena, for that church’s first Living Nativity. The program included narration, carols, and all the familiar figures of the Christmas story. Participants, from left, included angels Jenny Camechis, Elizabeth Bowden, Kora Bowden, shepherds Breck Marcella and Jeff Mershon, the Holy Family Kevin Bowden, Dana Bowden and infant Preston Bowden, and three kings Ronnie Powell, Donnie Marcella and Ricky Ward. In bottom photo, all the familiar characters of the Christmas story came toge...