The three wise men had a bright shining star to help guide them to the baby Jesus.

If only the coordinators of Vinland United Methodist Church’s 29th annual living nativity had a star to lead them to babies who could portray Jesus for three nights this month.

“Finding babies is the hardest part,” said Paula Johnson, who is helping organize the living nativity. “They’re just not as abundant and we need them to play Jesus.”

Getting shepherds to watch over a flock of animals doesn’t seen to be a problem. Nativity organizers can even have a church member step in to play Mary or Joseph.

But when it comes to someone to play Jesus, they need a baby who is 6 months old or younger. They will accept no substitutes and a doll is pretty much out of the question.

Jean Moore, who has been involved with the event since it began, said Vinland always has had real babies playing Jesus. She admits there have been times when they thought about using a doll as a stand-in.

“But we’ve never had a doll on hand that I can even remember,” Moore said.

Johnson said she needs to line up 18 families to participate in the living nativity, which will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 21, 22 and 23 in a heated barn at the Vinland Fairgrounds.

The families will stand in place for 30-minute shifts, then switch with another family. Johnson said it’s best when the parents of a baby also portray Mary and Joseph, but if parents don’t want to take on the roles, others can be found.

Ben O'Dell, his wife, Mary, and their 9-month-old daughter, Cloe, portray Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus for the living nativity at the Vinland Fairgrounds. The Vinland United Methodist Church is looking for babies to play Jesus in this year's nativity.

“But we encourage the whole family to participate, and if there are other children, they can be shepherds,” Johnson said.

Other people also will be on hand to look after children.

After coordinating the nativity for 29 years, much of the work is now to an exact science, Moore said.

“But finding babies to play Jesus, sometimes that just depends on how lucky we are,” she said.

6News video: Church searching for young volunteers

For more information or to volunteer to be part of the living nativity, call Johnson at (785) 594-3578.