ferriday &8212; A cold, dark night in Ferriday, and a man and his pregnant wife can&8217;t find a room anywhere in town so they hunker down in a makeshift shelter.

This may sound like beginning of another post-Katrina nightmare scenario, but it&8217;s the background story to the living nativity scene being played out at First Baptist Church.

Members of the church&8217;s youth group, under the direction of Youth Minister Chris DeGeorge, took to the parking lot manger to embody the real spirit of Christmas.

&8220;The nativity is a reminder to us of God coming down to us and bringing his son and the miracle that it is,&8221; DeGeorge said.

The players said they enjoyed the opportunity to help remind people of the roots of their religion.

&8220;It shows how Jesus was born, it&8217;s the history of it,&8221; Wiseman Ryan Merrill, 15, said.

To Christopher Matthews, the shepherd, the nativity revealed the &8220;real purpose&8221; of Christmas.

For Abigail Smith, however, Thursday night&8217;s opening was a chance to see a real live donkey.

Her parents, Alan and Sandy, were glad for a respite from the go-go pre-Christmas rush.

&8220;You drive down the street and see Santas everywhere, but this, we wouldn&8217;t have Christmas if not for this,&8221; Sandy said.

The group will brave the cold again tonight from 6:30 until 8 p.m. at the church. Hot chocolate with whipped cream will help visitors fight the cold.