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The Living Nativity

Album: 16: Flights of Imagination

Episode: 214

Lesson/Theme: Freedom of religion

Bible Verse: Romans 13:1-7

Characters: Bart, Lucy, Connie, Eugene, Whit, Rodney

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: December 12, 1992

Last Air Date: December 17, 2008

Description:
When the nativity display on city hall grounds is vandalized and destroyed, Whit and the gang come up with a wonderful solution. They decide to do a “living nativity.” It will be complete with narration, costumes, Connie as the virgin Mary, and Eugene as a donkey. Everyone in town thinks it is a smashing success, everyone, that is, except Bart and Rodney Rathbone. The display is near Barney’s Appliance Cave and is taking customers away from the Electric Palace. Bart decides the living nativity must go! He calls the mayor and files a formal protest, upon which the mayor has no choice but to act. The police shut down the display. Whit comes up with a solution, though: Instead of celebrating just Christmas, use the city hall lawn to celebrate all of the cultural events that take place in December as well, such as Hanukkah. It isn’t the perfect solution, but it is one that’s legal and one that satisfies almost everybody.

Questions:
Why did Bart and Rodney want the living nativity stopped? Is it illegal to have a nativity display on city hall property? Why or why not? Do you think Whit’s solution was a good one? Explain.