MIFFLINTOWN — The warmth from the crackling fire greets parishioners who are huddled around the firepit. There is an unmistakable sense of joy in the air as the crowd grows larger and larger.

The sense of community is clear; good tidings are shared. It’s a great time of fellowship with neighbors as they prepare to celebrate the “Greatest Story Ever Told.”

The chronicles, of course, focus on the life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his resurrection. He is the focus of Christmas Eve Around the Campfire, which has become a revered tradition at Lighthouse Community Church, located at 1578 Cedar Springs Road, Mifflintown.

This year’s event will be held Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Probably five years now,” Rev. Jeff Henry said of the event’s birth. “The idea that we had was to do something a little bit different for Christmas with the church service.”

Henry and his wife, Jodie, moved to Juniata County in 2018.

Henry and his parishioners focused on an outside pavilion dedicated in the memory of former member Darrell Blackbill who passed away in 2004 at the age of 21. They added firepits around the pavilion area and created quite the setting. The campfire atmosphere quickly became a magical event with authentic, outdoor candlelight.

“We realized the pavilion was a place where people could come together,” Henry said. “We couldn’t think of a better place outside.”

While the church’s membership hovers around 35 to 40, the campfire has drawn crowds of up to 70. Henry enjoys anyone from the community to come and join them for hot chocolate, cookies and, of course, fellowship. Last year, they also started offering hot dogs.

“It’s become way bigger than I expected,” Henry added. “We could have anywhere from 30 to 70 show up. If it gets cold, we can move it indoors.”