A woman has been hospitalised after an “unexpected incident” involving a camel during a nativity service at a Houston-area megachurch.

Champion Forest Baptist Church’s annual “Christmas Spectacular” puts a Broadway-style spin on the nativity story, including live animals.

However, in a shocking social media video shared by Grizzy’s Hood News on Facebook, a camel can be seen being led down the aisle of the Houston-area church before kicking out at a woman with its hind leg.

In a statement to The Independent on Wednesday, a spokesman said, “Champion Forest regrets that this happened. Our team responded immediately, and emergency services were engaged.”

The church’s six-day Christmas production attracted around 30,000 people for its 90-minute show last year, according to church officials, the largest retelling of the birth of Jesus Christ in Houston.

With Champion Forest roughly having 7000 weekly attendees, the large-scale productions have been deemed “over-flashy” in their Hollywood-style reenactments.

There was a mixed reaction to the incident, with many still praising the work of the megachurch.

One person said, “I’m so sad that this lady was injured during a performance and am praying she recovers quickly.

“My family has enjoyed attending the Christmas Spectacular for many years, and it is always a wonderful experience for our entire family, young and old.” 

With others arguing, “This church is always spending lavishly. Which is the complete opposite of what Jesus taught.

“Just a thought, but I feel like the better option would be to use all of that money spent on that show (which would probably be a lot) to feed the needy/give back to the community for the holidays.”

In terms of the incident, as provided through updates by Grizzy’s Hood News, the woman was treated and released from the hospital and is now recovering from the injuries she sustained from the kick.