Everyone’s heard of the Living Nativity put on at Christmastime by the Vinland United Methodist Church — a tradition going into its 29th year.

But a Lawrence congregation wants the city’s residents to know they also can visit a Living Nativity — featuring volunteers portraying the biblical Christmas story — that’s a little closer to home.

Members of Lawrence Free Methodist Church, 31st Street and Lawrence Avenue, are busy preparing for their 12th annual Living Nativity, an event that’s become a popular holiday activity in the church’s Prairie Meadows neighborhood.

“It’s just a steady stream of people, coming and going. It’s usually a pretty good group. It’s cool just to meet people from the neighborhood as they come through,” said Doug Heacock, a church member since 1983.

Lawrence Free Methodist’s Living Nativity will be presented four times Sunday: 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available.

The church’s first Living Nativity was put on in 1993, according to John Oehlert, a longtime member of the congregation who is organizing the event this year.

A cast of volunteers will take turns portraying biblical figures from the first Christmas: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, shepherds, the Three Wise Men and angels.

Members of the church’s adult choir also will participate. All told, there will be 20 to 30 people taking part in each Living Nativity presentation. The story is narrated by a taped recording.

Organizers are preparing to have a variety of livestock and other animals on hand — often a staple of such manger scenes — that will serve as a petting zoo for children.

In past years, the church has rounded up cattle, sheep, chickens, a donkey — even rabbits to help set the mood of a humble stable.

The Living Nativity will be presented just outside the church, on the building’s specially decorated portico.

“The response (from visitors) has been excellent. It’s a real, low-key opportunity for us to present the Christmas story. It’s kind of a neighborhood event, but people drive in from Eudora and Baldwin,” said Oehlert, chairman of the church’s board of trustees.

Volunteers will be setting everything up today and Sunday for the Living Nativity.

“This year, we hope to have a petting zoo for the kids with a pretty good range of livestock. It depends how the weather is and on what we can get,” Oehlert said. “It’s kind of hard to get a calf this time of year.”