Even though the birth city of Jesus is located across the Atlantic Ocean from Minnesota, members of St. Olaf Lutheran Church will bring a little bit of Bethlehem to Austin Sunday.

The church will host a live nativity performance from 4 to 7 p.m., complete with shepherds, shop keepers and perhaps even a live animal or two.

The multi-sensory event will allow visitors to see, hear, smell and even taste what Bethlehem residents experienced many years ago.

At “A Night in Bethlehem,” those in attendance will be able to explore 11 different stations, including the jewelry shop where they can make a necklace with beads and pounded metal; the musical instrument shop, where they can make a harp; and the pottery shop where they can make a pot, just to name a few

Other stations include the weaving shop; the bakery; the candy shop; the carpentry shop; Herbs and Spices; the paint shop and the stonemason shop, all with interactive elements primarily for children.

The final station is the nativity, one that will be located inside and another that will be located outside.

“We have been working on this since September,” said Jann Schroeder, director of children’s ministry at the church.

Schroeder said the curriculum is done by Group Publishing, which St. Olaf has used before for other religious education activities.

Schroeder said there will be live animals in the program weather permitting and added that for at least a short while, even the baby Jesus will be real.

“If Jesus starts acting up, he will probably go home with Mary, and we’ll have a new Mary,” Schroeder said.

Sunday’s event will be 99 percent indoors, with the exception of the outside nativity, and the cost is free, with a free-will offering being taken. The evening will wrap up with caroling in front of the outdoor stable.

Food will not be served, although a sample of candy will be offered in the candy shop, and participants will be able to make a small flatbread that will be baked for them while they are exploring the market.

If the weather is bad, including blowing snow that would prevent motorists from coming in, “A Night in Bethlehem” will be moved to Monday, Dec. 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Announcements will be made on local radio.

Roughly 60 people will be in the program, which is already set to return for 2009.

“Plans are already in discussion for what we want to add next year,” Schroeder said.

St. Olaf Lutheran Church is located at 301 First St. NW in Austin; 433-8857.