GREAT FALLS — The pandemic has disrupted a lot of Christmas traditions this year, but the annual “Once Upon a Nativity” scene is still set up at the Columbus Center, although it’s been scaled down a bit.
The Great Falls tradition is in its 11th year and normally features about 1,300 nativity scenes from all over the world — all from one woman’s collection. This year, due to concerns about crowd sizes, the display was limited to just 300 sets. In years past, the number has approached 1,000 sets.
Despite the changes, one of the display’s organizers, Judith Mortensen, said their message has never been more important.
“Carol (the owner) can give you all kinds stories of people who have come to see this display and had some really interesting miracles, changes of heart,” she said. “It is the joy, the peace, the love and the hope that this symbolizes.”
You can visit the display for free Monday through Sunday until the first week of January on the first and second floors of the Columbus Center in Great Falls.
