When Torpy and Wirt Skinner, owners of the 3rd Generation Barn Loft in Canton, moved back into the Canton area in 2005, they wanted to do something unique for the community around Christmastime. The Skinners had experienced live nativity scenes when Wirt Skinner pastored churches in Texas and Arkansas and they wanted to bring that to the Canton area.

This year, The 3rd Generation Barn loft is kicking off the Christmas season with its seventh annual Living Nativity Saturday, Dec. 1 and the eighth annual Christmas Service in a Stable Sunday, Dec. 2.

“It’s a time to simply stop amidst the hectic time of our ever growing secular celebrations of Christmas and remember and feel God's Gift of love to us not only long ago but every day,” said Torpy.

The Living Nativity, which will be held from ...