Lincoln’s Cristo Rey Parish sets up 28-foot-long Nativity Scene for the holidays

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Since 2004, the Cristo Rey Parish has been putting together a Nativity Scene for the holiday season in Lincoln.

Officials say they’ve been adding more features over the years, and this year the whole scene is up to 28 feet long.

Jose Casarin, who helps build the scene every year, said it takes a group of five people about a week to put together.

The set-up includes LED lights, water features and even a night and day cycle.

It also includes scenes from Nazareth, Egypt and the Jerusalem Temple.

Casarin said it takes a lot of craftsmanship to put it all together.

He said hundreds of people around Lincoln stop by to visit every year.

“It has an artistic value, but I think the value is more about bringing communities together,” he said. “Not just necessarily the Latino community, but all the communities here in Lincoln.”

Casarin said they hope to add even more lighting features next year.

The scene will be set up until Jan. 7, and is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.