This year we went to the Living Nativity right near our house at a nursery on Darby Road. It was free and put on buy a variety of local churches. WE have seen signs for it in the past, but had never found the opportunity to go. This year we made it a point to get there, and we are SO glad we did! It was really spectacular!First we had to wait in a long line because they take us through the nativity in small groups. But waiting in line is not a problem, because they have a darling and pretty fantastic musical puppet show for us to watch as we wait. It was all about Jesus, of course, and really very clever! They also have live performers singing Christmas songs. It would have been enough to come just to see the pre-show.
Then we walked on to a few rooms where we saw the angel come to Mary, and then appear to Joseph in a dream. Then, as we walked on further, we were accosted by a group of nasty Roman soldiers who read the decree from Cesar Augustus that we should all be taxed, and then gave us some trouble. They were really yelling at us! One got right in Derek's face and threatened to cart him off to prison for talking back. Taught him a lesson! It was really quite authentic.
As we walked on there was a large grassy amphitheater and on the stage was king Herod's court. The wise men had come to inquire about the new born king. Then we followed them to find another Mary and Joseph and baby as they accepted gifts from the wise men. They were set among the huge clay pots that were for sale at the nursery. What a pretty setting!
Not only did they have horses, donkeys, and sheep, but there was also a real camel for the wise men!
At the end there were some free little activities for the kids, and food (they asked for donations to help pay of the whole thing.) There was a guy there welding together little crosses out of nails. He gave one to each of my kids and they just looked at them like they didn't know what they were. They thought they were little swords! Heathens.
The whole nativity takes place in a desert nursery, beneath a grove of palm trees and olive trees. It is absolutely beautiful there with all the greenery and plants - the very kinds of plants that Christ grew up with in the holy land. It just made everything so much more authentic, and we really felt like we were transported to Bethlehem!
And it was a beautiful, mild evening! Really perfect. I just kept thinking that you couldn't do this in most other parts of the country. I felt so blessed to live here!
So they started by bringing our group under a lit up olive tree where Isaiah stood all lit up, and read his prophesy of the coming Messiah.
Then we walked on to a few rooms where we saw the angel come to Mary, and then appear to Joseph in a dream. Then, as we walked on further, we were accosted by a group of nasty Roman soldiers who read the decree from Cesar Augustus that we should all be taxed, and then gave us some trouble. They were really yelling at us! One got right in Derek's face and threatened to cart him off to prison for talking back. Taught him a lesson! It was really quite authentic. 
Then we moved on the the little village of Bethlehem where we saw Joseph and Mary with a real donkey, ask for shelter at an inn, and get turned away. So sad.
But for me, one of the coolest things was coming around a corner to see a real flock of sheep and shepherds down in a little valley below us. There was a fence around them, for safety's sake of course. Then, suddenly in the hill above them, an angel, and then several angels appeared all lit up and singing!
And then we came to the stable where we found Joseph and Mary, and their sweet little baby. They were obviously a real couple with their own real little baby. I was so glad it was such a mild evening. There were animals too, and shepherds come to worship him.
As we walked on there was a large grassy amphitheater and on the stage was king Herod's court. The wise men had come to inquire about the new born king. Then we followed them to find another Mary and Joseph and baby as they accepted gifts from the wise men. They were set among the huge clay pots that were for sale at the nursery. What a pretty setting!
Not only did they have horses, donkeys, and sheep, but there was also a real camel for the wise men!At the end, they also had an empty tomb to remind us what the real significance of the birth of our Savior was. It was really well done and I felt the spirit so strong! I am so grateful that so many Christian churches would get together to do such a nice tribute to Christ and remind us all about the true meaning of Christmas! There were so, so many people there, and it made me feel good to know that this story is just as important to them and their families as it is to me and mine.
At the end there were some free little activities for the kids, and food (they asked for donations to help pay of the whole thing.) There was a guy there welding together little crosses out of nails. He gave one to each of my kids and they just looked at them like they didn't know what they were. They thought they were little swords! Heathens. It was a wonderful evening, and we want to tell everyone about it so that they can come and see what we saw and feel what we felt! We will never miss this again. It is a new Christmas tradition for us.
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