During First Pres’ live nativity last year, Wayne Hannah noticed a missing “character.”

The wise men were there, and the shepherds, and of course Mary and Joseph and a baby doll for Jesus. But above them? No star.

So Wayne got to work designing one with the help of his wife, Mel. For them, though, this would be no ordinary star.

That’s because back in 2022, their 9-year-old granddaughter, Emma Grace Holsinger, had died of a rare and terminal illness. A joyful child who loved life, she blessed all who knew her. She was a bright light — like a star.

So, the Hannahs decided, they would create a star and dedicate it to her.

In August, Wayne built a prototype out of 2x2s. Then, the Hannahs’ son-in-law, Bryan, fabricated the aluminum version. The week leading up to First Pres’ 2024 Live Nativity, Wayne, Bryan, son-in-law Michael and Michael’s dad hung it above the Courtyard where the nativity will be held.

“Emma’s light shown as she loved Jesus and she was a blessing to those who knew her,” Wayne says. “We know that she is waiting for us in heaven. What better way to think of her than as a bright star?”

You can see the star in person at the Live Nativity on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5-6:30 p.m., directly before downtown Harrisonburg’s Christmas parade. The new star is another memorial aspect to the nativity event, which began several years ago in memory of the parents of Jody Pugh.