The Living Nativity

On Saturday we had the opportunity to take D, E & Zoe to a living nativity. I have to be a bit honest, I was a little unsure myself. I wasn't positive how they would do it and it was close to -10 degrees ourside, so it was chilly to say the least.

We figured we could bundle up, blast the heat and enjoy driving through the nativity scenes in the comfort of our own car.

As we were driving to the church that hosts the event, we saw a huge sign on the side of the road that said, "Nativity Staging Area Next RIGHT." Staging area? I had a moment of panic at the thought of getting out of the car. Thankfully it was just a Disneyland-like line to make sure 100 cars weren't stopped on the highway to get to the actual nativity.

That baby Jesus can sure draw a crowd!

We made it through the line and even got some hot cocoa in the process. Those staging people sure know the way to D's & E's heart. We made it over to the church only to discover another Disneyland-like line.

We answered the question, "are we there yet" about 600 times while we drove the opposite direction of the church. We decided to play a little "Bethelehem Trivia" in our car. Basically took some time to tell the Christmas story to the girls.

Zoe was more interested in staring into the dark night. Partly because that's cool and partly because she can totally see herself in the window tint. What's cooler than looking at your self?

We've gone through our version of the story and made it to the front enterance on the actual nativity. We popped in the CD and let a very nice man guide us through the story.

I was speechless. I've heard the Christmas story thousands of times. I played with the nativity as a child. Nothing could prepare me for seeing it "in person." It was so well done. We got to the stable, which was flanked by cows and sheep and I couldn't stop the tears from streaming. We rolled down our window and in the dark was a choir singing "Hark the Harold Angels Sing." It was a feeling I cannot describe. You know Jesus was born in a barn. You know there were cows and sheep in there with them. Yet to see it with your own eyes and know that it's like -11 degrees outside is something all together different.

As I was trying to compose myself after the stable scene, they had three, live camels with the wisemen wondering in a field. Live camels. -11 degree weather. It was truly a site. It was the favorite scene for the under 10 crowd.

What made the story even cooler was the very end. In front of this church are three crosses to signify Calvary. As you cross in front of the church, there was a spotlight on the middle cross with a lamb just hanging out at the bottom. The CD talked about Jesus as our gift, our lamb.

Honestly it was the coolest part of the entire weekend.

Until after we celebrated Jesus's birthday with some cake.

E asked what it meant to go to heaven and how to pray to make sure you get there. At our dining room table, E asked Jesus into her heart.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.