Jesus' birth, supersized: Utah nativity scene sets record

PROVO, Utah - More than 1,000 people dressed as angels, wise men and religious royalty at a park in Provo, Utah, have set a new Guinness record for the largest live nativity scene.

"Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, angels, shepherds... and a lot of angels really," organizer Austin Craig told CBS affiliate KUTV.

The gathering Monday featured a variety of performers who made videos posted on YouTube. It is also expected to serve as a backdrop for a music video.

The Daily Herald of Provo reports that a Guinness World Record judge determined there were 1,039 participants in the production along with a camel, donkey and sheep.

That tops the record of 898 people last year at a nativity scene in the United Kingdom.

Organizers say breaking the record was secondary to emphasizing religious faith over Christmas-season shopping.

Most of the volunteers showed up dressed in white, to play the part of angels, in a massive heavenly host lining a hillside behind the manger, reports CBS affiliate KUTV in Salt Lake City.

American Idol's David Archuleta recorded a musical track along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, that will play along with the production.