Chances are most people have never seen more than 300 nativities from around the world all in one place, but a Lawrence church is giving them the opportunity to do just that.

Centenary United Methodist Church will display the nativities during its ninth annual festival, from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21 at the church, Fourth and Elm streets.

The festival also includes Christmas lights and spiced cider.

Chris Jump, coordinator of the festival, said it provided peace and quiet for people during the holidays.

“It is real nice to give other people a peaceful place to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas and get away from the hectic commercialism that many people associate with Christmas,” Jump said.

Jump said all people were welcome at the festival.

“We get a real wide variety of denominations and religions,” Jump said. “It is wonderful to listen to the comments when people see it for the first time.”

The Rev. Judy O’Neal, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church, said many people made the exhibit part of their holiday tradition.

“There is something about walking into the exhibit and being overwhelmed with it,” O’Neal said. “It is allowing yourself to completely enter the story and just let the imagination run wild.”