Living Nativity

Had a fun night out with the family last night. 

Earlier in the week the kids asked if they could please, please go the Living Nativity  that's put on by the Seventh Day Adventist church every year.  We alwaysmean to go, but last year was the first time we actually made it.  And the kids remembered it.  And it was an even better experience this year.

First of all, Clive the Camel showed up this year (I guess last year he was sick).  So that was fun.  But the whole event is great.  The Romans welcome you (and give you a booklet to hold the stickers you get at each station) and then you go to the Census station to be numbered.  All the volunteers are in character and will ask the kids things like, 'So how did you come this evening?  By horse, or donkey, or perhaps a chariot?'.  To which Thomas replied, 'No.  We came by car (like, duh!)'.  Then to the 'Temple' building holding a replica of the ark, a veil, unleavened bread, etc.  A man gave an nice explanation of the symbolism within with the kids actually really listened to.  There's the inn, the manger (all with real animals for petting) and posted correlated scriptures you could read to the kids at each place.  The carpenter is actually making little wooden crosses to hand out, the fish market has actual smoked fish going.  Then the indoor market is just as fun and informative to give you a feel of the times when Jesus lived on Earth.  Ends with warm treats and a band performing Christmas hymns you can sing along with.  Quite a production. I enjoy having opportunities throughout to answer my kids questions and be in a positive environment.  The kids individually would get excited about something they saw here or there and call a sibling over to share it with.   There were good moments like the ones you always envision before doing things together (but that as often as not don't go as smoothly as planned with kids teasing and bickering and such).  At the end we were all finishing up our hot chocolate and were standing between an outdoor fire getting warm and the camel.  Slowly, Clive's head came craning around our direction and I say, 'Hey kids look!  Clive is checking us out!'.  And then in the blink of an eye his large muzzle darted directly at me- or rather at the cup of Hot chocolate I was holding.  He came within an inch of the cup when the rope on him caught.  Took me by surprise!

Finished up the evening with some traditional Friday night pizza.