For the last two years, Greenville resident Carrie Maxwell has started her Christmas season by attending the Interfaith Nativity Exhibit in Montgomery.

She especially enjoys the room of children’s nativities.

“I guess because growing up the nativity was a big part of our Christmas,” Maxwell said.

When Maxwell was a child, her mother displayed a nativity on the pump organ she inherited from her grandmother. Maxwell has the heirloom pump organ now.

“The nativity was always the center of our Christmas. It was a special way to start off the Christmas season correctly,” she said.

The Interfaith Christmas Nativity Exhibit dons a military appreciation theme this year.

For the valued service the military perform, the Interfaith Nativity Exhibit will honor them in the 2009 exhibit. Many nativities shared by military personnel throughout the area will be distinctively displayed.

This annual River Region celebration of the birth of Christ will continue to feature nativities from local dignitaries and hundreds of others.

“It’s neat to see different takes on nativities,” Maxwell said. “Some are obviously from different countries. All represent Christ. It didn’t matter whether they were small handmade Mary and Josephs or elaborate sets of a whole Bethlehem village.”

Maxwell’s mother collects nativities.

“She has them up all year long.”

Greenville High School will perform on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 pm.

“The choir is actually bigger this year than it’s been in the past. They’re always really good,” Maxwell said.