The story of Christmas, as told in the New Testament, has been narrated countless times for hundreds of years. But the producers of “Echoes of Christmas” say you haven’t seen the story of Christ’s birth told like it is during the live Nativity performances at Liberty Park each holiday season.

With original music composed by Murray resident Clive Romney, “Echoes of Christmas” is a 40-minute walking tour, taking attendees to visit shepherds, wise men, the innkeeper and the holy family. The performance features seven original songs that the producers hope will bring the warm feeling of Christmas into every heart.

 “This performance answers some of the questions that we all have about why we are important and what our lives add to this world,” interim producer Wendy DeMann said. “There’s such a reverent feeling in the park when [‘Echoes of Christmas’] is going on. You go away with a feeling like there’s hope and light in this world.”

As an award-winning composer of more than 500 songs, Romney’s lyrics for the production are meant to instill a sense of peace, while giving several differing viewpoints of Christ’s birth.

“We have people come every year because it centers you around the true meaning of Christmas,” Romney said. “It is a great reminder of what the reason for the season really is.”

The performance is held at Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park Dec. 11-13 and 15-17, from 7 to 9 p.m., with tours starting every five minutes. Visitors are asked to enter the park at 900 South 600 East and park near the tennis courts. The event is free.

“Echoes of Christmas” was first performed in 2008, and is intended as a holiday gift to the community. Originally produced by Virginia and Bob Baird, DeMann and her husband Dwight are filling in as producers while the Bairds serve an LDS church mission in Taiwan. 

A highlight of the production is the live animals used during the show, including a camel and a donkey. 

“The little donkey has been doing this production for so many years that she knows the music and the cues, and nudges the performers when it’s time to sing,” DeMann said. 

The Nativity will be performed, regardless of the temperature, but will be canceled in the event of rain or heavy snow, so visitors are encouraged to dress warmly. Wheelchairs are available for those who can’t walk through the production.