Enacting the Nativity - another tradition

December 2021

Another tradition that has been carried over from my childhood was to have a Nativity scene play during our Christmas eve celebration.  On Christmas eve we would eat our meal and

then settle in for the evening's activities.  The FIRST THING for those activities was the Nativity Scene.  My mom had a sack full of costumes that the kids would pick from to dress up as the characters from the nativity scene.  Then when the kids were all dressed up, an adult would read the Christmas story.  The most fun we had with this was the year one of the girl angels was hung from a loft above everyone at my parent's house.

Our family has now carried this tradition on.  Every year it is different!  Different kids - different outfit combinations - different baby Jesus but always it is done first before any gifts. Some years we use a doll for Jesus, some years it is a live baby.  This last year it was all grandsons with only a one year old Mary.  It was so special! 

The costumes aren't elaborate.  Men's short sleeve shirts and scarves work great for the shepherds, men's t-shirts or graduation robes work for the angels, old robes are great for the wise men.  Crowns from Burger King work great for the wise men too! Look around and you can sure come up with your clothes that will work for the kids in the scene.

Usually, the grandkids are really wound up and it seems very chaotic. But I am sure these nativity scenes are making memories and also reminding us all of the meaning of Christmas.  We try to have a few minutes of seriousness and quiet and a time to thank the Lord for His coming to us as a babe. So thankful for this tradition....