WEST CHESTER, Ohio — For the 11th straight holiday, Janet and Bob Niederman will treat visitors to their 200-acre farm with a dazzling, one million-light display honoring the Christmas season.

Entitled “A Walk Through the Bible,” visitors take a half-mile nighttime walk around a hayfield to see displays that feature angels and life-size Nativity figurines. The path for this walking tour is paved and handicapped-accessible. Visitors will also discover 16 large oil paintings depicting scenes from the Old and New testaments.

“I think people like to see a display where Christ is honored,” Janet said. “We wanted to keep the Christmas meaning alive by having a Christmas display.”

Bob had the vision for the display 13 years ago and, with the input from his four married children and grandchildren, made the dream a reality.

This is no easy task; it takes three weeks to erect the display each season, but just two days to take it down. This season Bob and Janet’s grandson, Brian Garver, of Milford, Pa., arrived with many members of his congregation to lend a hand.

“This has become a community effort, which is very helpful,” Janet said. “My husband and I could never do it ourselves. It takes an entire community, the willing members of the churches and our neighbors.”

The Niedermans obtained their first figurines at an auction from Carl Rudd, an Adams County farmer whose display drew thousands. Each holiday season the Niedermans add to their impressive display.

Bob and Janet reside just 100 yards from a son and daughter-in-law. The latter couple play hosts to schoolchildren during the year, tend to a paintball business on the farm and create a walk-through maze each fall. But each November the Christmas light display becomes the task of Bob and Janet.

“We help them with their duties and they lend a hand with this project,” Bob said. “There’s no way me and my wife could do all this alone.”

Upon arriving at the farm, visitors are greeted by a tall silo with large lights that alternate between a red cross and a white star. 

Donkeys, llamas, a pony, sheep and goats are in one barn near the entrance to the walk-through.

On foot, visitors will view scenes from the Bible that include Noah’s ark, the burning bush, Jesus and the manger scene and more. The 50-scene attraction concludes with the “Ascension of Jesus.” There are no Santas, elves or red-nosed reindeers to be found at this display. The Niedermans just want to illuminate the religious aspect.

“We want people coming here to have a good time, see the displays and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season,” Janet said.

First in line last Friday night were Tom and Elizabeth Snyder of Circleville, Ohio, and their three small children. They made the 72-mile drive to see the exhibit.

“With so much commercialization of Christmas nowadays, it’s great to go to an even which keeps Christ in mind,” Tom said. “If you’re looking for Santa and snowmen, this is not your place.”

Sixteen members of the First Church of God near Jamestown, Ohio, filled a van to make the trek. It was their third visit to the exhibit.

After viewing the display, visitors are invited inside a heated barn for free refreshments and live entertainment provided by church choirs and others. The Walk Through the Bible display can be found at 4972 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road and is open Nov. 25-Dec. 30; Sundays-Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 6-10 p.m.

For more information, go to www.niedermanfamilyfarm.com

Entertainment in the barn will include West Chester Symphony (Dec. 9), Connect III, women’s trio (Dec. 10), Christian Kaleidoscope (Dec. 11), Dayspring Church of God youth choir (Dec. 15), Franz Klaber Orchestra (Dec. 16), Jericho Road Quartet (Dec. 17), Juggler for Jesus (Dec. 18 and 28) and Heritage Show Choir (Dec. 19).