Living Nativity

Tonight we went to the Foothills Baptist Church to participate in the Living Nativity Christmas Program.

We were greeted by these women at the well at the outskirts of Bethlehem.

A Roman soldier took our census card which allowed us to enter the city.

In one stall, a woman had baked bread.

This citizen made and sold leather goods.

The inn keeper told us about weary travelers who arrived looking for a room. He gave them lodging in the stable because his inn was full. We stepped outside to the stable where the shepherd shared his story about the angels visiting him in the pasture and his journey to see the new baby.

The three wise men in their robes of beautiful fabric and exotic gifts shared the story of their journey to find the Christ child.


Isn't she a sweetie?
She was running through the crowded, twisted streets of Bethlehem.

People of all ages participated in the re-enactment. We learned this was the second year this church presented the Christmas story as a living history. The part of the church we were in was set up as small stalls with citizens sharing their story and message about the coming of Jesus. I think there were 10 stalls or stations. People in costume were wandering along the pathway around the stalls, giving us the feeling of a crowded street in Bethlehem, just as it must have been over 2000 years ago. The church members did a fantastic job with designing, decorating and costuming. We learned that 80 people volunteered to take part in the nativity over the three evenings. I am sure will be bigger and better next year.