The Nativity

On Christmas Eve, we usually read Luke 2 while we act out the nativity.  It was especially neat this year.  I think it was partly because the kids are finally old enough to know when to do their parts and what to do without parent intervention, so we could sit and enjoy the show.

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. " (the green blob is Alex who was supposed to be a sheep)

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. "

The cast: Jarem as Joseph, Jesikah as Mary, Tessa as the angel, James as the shepherd, and Alex as the sheep.

When we finished the nativity, we sang several Christmas songs while I played the piano, and then we were honored to hear a violin duet by Melanie and Ben, "Joy to the World" (wish I would have gotten a picture). It was awesome. It made me want to learn the violin.

Then each of the kids found their Christmas Eve present under the tree and put on their new pajamas while we watched the Tabernacle Choir on PBS.  It was a very pleasant evening.

Tessa in her new pajamas measuring feet with Ben