NATCHEZ — It’s a tradition that has been going on for years, and Saturday was no different.

Dorothy Wilson said she’s not sure how long she has been arranging St. Mary Basilica’s Christmas decorations, but she felt sure it’s been more than 25 years now.

And every year on the Saturday before Advent, which begins today, Wilson has been at the church early in the morning styling garland, primping the trees and readying the nativity scene.

“I love this church and I love to see all of this take form,” she said.

Now in her late 70s, Wilson spends much of the day orchestrating the volunteers that help in the decorating.

She has the layout memorized.

She knows where each tree goes and exactly what order each piece of the nativity scene is supposed to be laid out.

The decorations are done by the St. Mary Basilica Alter Society of which Wilson’s been a member since she was in the fifth grade.

But before Wilson could take over the job of head decorator, she had to be trained for the role.

“It was Rose Ring who taught me,” Wilson said.

Wilson said she has no idea how long Ring managed the decorations at the church but she’s positive “it was a very long time.”

“She taught me a lot in that time, and I’ve forgotten a lot of it,” she said laughing. “She knew all the ins and outs of the whole thing.”

Wilson said Ring even made some of the linens used for decorations, but they’ve since been taken out of commission.

But when Saturday was over, the entire manger scene was not complete.

Statues are added throughout Advent, a four-week period of prayer leading to Christmas, until the statue of the baby Jesus is placed in the manger on Christmas Eve.

And helping Wilson prepare that scene that can’t be called done until Christmas Eve, is her family.

On Saturday, Wilson’s husband, daughter and grandson were all helping Wilson set the holiday tone at the church.

Catherine McDaniel, Wilson’s daughter, was busy arranging branches on the artificial trees for most of the morning.

McDaniel said she’s only been helping her mother for the past five years — but it’s time she values.

“This is what helps me get in the spirit of Christmas,” McDaniel said. “And it means a lot to my family. It gives us a chance to give something back for the church.”

And for Wilson, she’ll be waiting for Christmas Eve when the manger scene will be complete.

“It’ll be beautiful,” she said.