There was only one Mary, one Joseph and three kings in the traditional Nativity story, but the congregants of First Presbyterian Church want to re-imagine the scene.

First Presbyterian is hosting a “flash mob” Nativity Sunday in place of their regular Sunday school classes. What’s interesting about this, said organizer Emily Clem, is it’s not a “flash mob” in the sense that a group is currently practicing a routine to perform, but they’re using the term to invite any and all interested.

“The idea is anyone who comes can put on a costume and participate,” Clem told The News Courier.

And she means anyone.

“We can have four or five Marys, we can have Wise Men and wise women, we can have shepherds and shepherdesses.”

In this rendition of the “the greatest story ever told,” Clem said the folks at First Presbyterian are hoping people who typically don’t come to church will feel welcome. They’re hoping to create an atmosphere of inclusion and community for children and adults.

“The idea is it’s not so much a performance, but to tell the story and tell the story to each other,” she said. “Telling the story from the inside instead of just watching.”

This isn’t the first time First Presbyterian hosted a community Christmas pageant. Clem said she noticed in a scrapbook that the same Nativity program was put on around 2001.

“I remember it being lots of fun,” she said.

The “flash mob” Nativity begins at 9:30 Sunday morning. The church is at the intersection of Jefferson and Washington streets inside the Square. Costumes and scripts will be provided, but Clem said participants are welcome to create their own costumes.

“We’d just love to see people who are not members of the church show up,” she said. “I really hope we have some walk-ins.”