Live nativity scenes have been a Christmas tradition since St. Francis of Assisi first staged one outside an Italian church in the year 1223.

While the one at Nevada City's Victorian Christmas is considerably younger — it started 18 years ago — its roots are nearly as interesting.

The display is staged by the Ananda Community, a group of about 250 people who live communally north of Nevada City and blends Eastern spirituality with Christianity.

Ananda members bundled in elaborate Victorian costumes spend much of the event strolling the snow-crusted streets, singing contemporary standards such as “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Frosty the Snowman.”

For half an hour, though, these Victorian Singers pause next to the nativity scene and focus their lyrics on Jesus' birth. The choir's repertoire includes both traditional carols and Christmas songs written by Ananda's founder, Swami Kriyananda.

That variety — and the inspiration they bring to each song — makes their performance different from “elevator music,” said Jeff Rice, who directs the Victorian Singers alongside his wife, Eleni.

“It's the spirit in which we offer it,” he said. “We believe that it brings people a sense of greater joy, and people are starving for that.”

The Ananda Community was founded in Nevada City in 1967 by Swami Kriyananda, a disciple of Indian author and spiritual guru Paramhansa Yogananda.

Yogananda's teachings emphasize “the essential oneness of original Christianity as taught by Jesus, and original yoga as taught by Krishna,” according to the group's Web site. Yoga, in this case, “is more than a system of physical postures — it is a way of life” that emphasizes harmony of the soul.

Christmas day is an example of Eastern-Western oneness in action.

“What's different is that instead of racing to the Christmas tree, we begin the day with a meditation,” Rice said. “We try to uphold the spiritual foundation of what Christmas is really all about. The material aspect is secondary.”

In addition to the traditional trappings of the season— Christmas trees, cards and cookies — the Ananda community hosts an eight-hour meditation session two days before Christmas. Around this time of year, the chants focus on Jesus.

At other times, chants focus more on the community's Eastern roots. One Ananda-specific celebration is Yogananda's birthday on Jan. 5.

Chants at Ananda's Sunday services are usually in English, but can also be in Italian and Sanskrit. Music is also integral to Ananda services — which is part of the reason a Victorian choir was a natural fit.

The drive from the remote Ananda community lasts about half an hour, but still, nine live nativity characters and the choir dress up and make the trek down to Nevada City on Wednesday nights.

Mary Weber, who has a background in costume design, is the mistress of the nativity's costume closet. Her interest in costuming came from sewing pieces for school plays, and over the years, she's accumulated a two-car garage worth of costumes.

Outfits for the nativity players show Weber's attention for detail. The angel costume, for example, has wings made of feathers.

All the nine characters standing in the winter chill on Broad Street are as real as St. Francis' first display, with two exceptions.

The baby is just a doll, moved occasionally by Mary's hand.

And there are no live animals in this Christmas stable.

“We tried it out in the community with a live donkey,” Weber said, “but it kept pulling hay off the manger set.”

Two decades into their tradition, Rice still calls the performances “uplifting.”

“It's a way of giving to the greater community,” he said. “Watching peoples' faces at the crèche scene — they're mesmerized.”

To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.