Sharing the Gospel Through The NativitySharing the Gospel Through The Nativity
Crossroads with Jenny Bushkell
Jenny Bushkell talks with Nativity Pageant leaders Jen Corbin and Julie McMurray about how Knoxville’s long-standing Christmas production keeps the focus on Jesus while welcoming the whole community. They share practical stories, challenges and joys from behind the scenes of presenting a free, accessible retelling of the birth of Christ.
49:06•9 Dec 2025
Keeping Jesus at the Centre: The Story Behind Knoxville’s Nativity Pageant
Episode Overview
- Making Jesus the centre of Christmas brings a deeper joy than the usual seasonal busyness.
- The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville is a free, multi-denominational community effort that relies on volunteers and donations.
- Accessibility features such as sign language interpreting and Spanish audio help more people hear the gospel message.
- Practical challenges and crises, like floods and ice-rink issues, can become unexpected chances to talk about Jesus with people seeking a fresh start.
- Families are encouraged to use events like this pageant as a tradition that introduces children and guests to the story of Jesus’ birth.
“We tell the greatest story that's ever been told.”
Gain insights from experts and survivors on how Christmas can refocus weary hearts on hope, faith, and community. This conversation centres on the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville and how a group of determined women has kept “the greatest story that's ever been told” at the heart of the season for 57 years. Host Jenny Bushkell chats with Jen Corbin, president of the Nativity Pageant board, and publicity chair Julie McMurray.
Together they walk through the sheer amount of behind-the-scenes effort it takes to present a free, professional-level production that retells the birth of Jesus in a way that kids, adults, long-time believers and curious newcomers can all connect with. You’ll hear about practical changes like swapping messy mulch for astro turf over the ice rink, adding sign language interpreting at every performance, and offering Spanish audio so more people can access the message.
There’s plenty of light-hearted humour too, from chatty Roman soldiers with plastic swords to a “big boy” donkey and children’s goodie bags designed to keep little ones occupied until the lights come up. The episode highlights how churches from many denominations pool resources, how local businesses donate food and funds, and how volunteers give countless hours so that anyone can come without paying a ticket price.
Jen shares how last year’s stressful flood and ice-rink complications turned into unexpected chances to share the gospel with temporary workers who “needed a second chance.” At its heart, this is about using a community tradition to point people back to Jesus, especially those who might never set foot in a church but will happily step into a civic coliseum.
If you’re looking for ways to keep Christ at the centre of Christmas, involve your family in something meaningful, or simply reconnect with the story of Isaiah’s prophecy and the Prince of Peace, this conversation might give you fresh ideas for your own festive season. How might your Christmas look if you built it around a story like this?
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