Baby Jesus and the Handwarmers

Each year, our church stages a large "living" Nativity - the scenes, complete with live animals and people, tell the story of the birth of Jesus, from the prophecies, to the birth, the reactions of the shepherds and the visit of the Magi. . . . . ending with His miracles, crucifixion, and the empty tomb.  Recordings tell the story, complete with Scriptures, and as visitors walk by they are shown the reality of Christmas - the birth of the Savior.  Afterwards, they're invited inside for hot cocoa, cookies, and a warm encounter with members of our church family.

It's a massive undertaking, with many folks serving in the scenes, directing traffic, baking cookies, greeting visitors, and sharing the gospel.  This year, Yurii, Emily, and Hannah were in the cast; Nathaniel shared the gospel and handed out literature in the Fellowship Hall; and I helped dress cast members (including a VERY fun group from our Hispanic ministry, but that's another blog post in and of itself!).  Kathryn had a ballet rehearsal at another church, and Amy - well - as she put it, "I'm not old enough to sit still and not talk, Mom!"  Truer words were never spoken.

Here are a few fun pictures from the night.  The girls were beyond thrilled to be assigned the manger scene.  And Yurii. . . well, he's just a good sport, that's what he is.  Especially when it was barely in the 30s, which is COLD for us Southerners!

It was all about the goats for Emily & Hannah.  Don't they look happy?

It was so cold, even baby Jesus needed a handwarmer!

And final reason I love our Walk-Thru Nativity.  Because, without the empty tomb. . . . . .

we would have no reason to remember the birth of a boy,

no reason to celebrate the Incarnation of a most Holy God,

and no reason to rejoice in Immanuel,

God with us.