The Nativity Story

The church where Evan attends preschool conducts a Live Nativity Program every year outside.  We had been wanting to see it every year since moving to Charlotte and always seemed to have something else to do that weekend.  This year, we made special plans to attend.  The night was cold so we all bundled up to keep warm and went out to celebrate the true reason for the season.  We arrived with about 15 minutes to spare before the second showing so we enjoyed some warm hot chocolate, and Evan got to peek into the stable and pet the animals and even peek into the manger.  It was so sweet, and we hope to continue this little tradition in the years ahead. 


A special message appears in the "sky." 



Evan pets a sheep.



Peeking into the manger where Baby Jesus laid.



Angels sing of the joyful news.



The Shepherds huddle around a campfire to keep warm as they decide whether to go to Bethlehem. 



A star and an angel appear in the "sky."



The Shepherds arrive at the stable to witness the joyful birth.



King Herod sends the wise men on their way.




"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said to them,



'Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born today in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.'

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.'


And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.'

And they came with haste, and found, Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.


~Luke Chapter 2 verses 1-20~