The reason for the season...

Actors and actresses took turns portraying Joseph and Mary during a live nativity scene held throughout the Christmas creche celebration. Photo by Brian S. Orban

A near-record number of guests and a record-shattering number of displays highlighted an annual celebration aimed at helping people cherish the Christmas spirit.

Marking its sixth anniversary in Mountain Home last week, the annual Christmas creche also celebrated its first year at the new Latter-day Saints stake center on South Haskett Street.

A non-denominational event, organizers extended the creche to a three-day observance with 400 people attending when it debuted Thursday evening. Another 300 people visited on Friday with another 500 gathering on Saturday.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.

More photos available in the Mountain Home News photo gallery