When I saw the sign on the side of highway advertising a Live Nativity, I was instantly interested.  I’ve never seen one and thought it would be a great experience for the kids.  When talking to a friend I found out more details and made plans to bring them.  It was a simple production, put on by a small community church on a cold winter’s night on the side of a busy highway.   Not many were in attendance.  It reminded me a lot of that night in Bethlehem.  Few stopped then either. 

^{Luke 2: 1-14:}

¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

After watching the live nativity, we were invited in for hot cocoa, popcorn and cookies.  Things were wrapping up, I figured we’d be on our way, and then they were calling the cast out to do the next performance.  My kids jumped up, eager to hear it again.  Scott and I looked at each other, smiled, and followed them back out in the cold. 

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Christmas is without a doubt my favorite time of year.  I’ve already shared in my last post how I love all the things about Christmas.  And I do, even the shopping, baking, prepping for company… I love it all.  In fact when Christmas actually gets here I am always a little sad, because truth be told I love the season, the anticipation, the preparation so much that I am sad to see it end when the actual day of Christmas arrives.

But, the thing I love most about this time of year is the carols.  I love, love the words of those familiar carols, but what I really love is the fact that I can be at the grocery store, or the mall and I can hear the name of Jesus praised.   What other time of year can you hear songs proclaiming “glory to the newborn King”  while waiting in line at Best Buy?  I love it!! 

This past Saturday we took the kids into Baltimore for some family fun.  I had read about this thing called Tuba Christmas… and I thought “hmmm 200 tubas playing Christmas music in Inner Harbor Baltimore, sounds fun”  but I had no idea just how wonderful it would be….

The weather was perfect… sunny and 50 degrees… so great to have a slight chill in the air but still be comfortable with winter jackets on.   We were able to score great seats right up front.   (thanks to some generous people for letting the big 3 sit literally right up front)

When the tubas started playing it was quite a sound.

But, the best part for me was the conductor.  He chose mostly all Christmas carols and he would have the tubas play the song one time through and then during the second time through he invited the audience to sing along.  Tears filled my eyes as I belted out “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord”  in the middle of the bustling harbor.  What a privilege, what a joy to proclaim the name of Jesus.    It’s a moment I will most definitely be bottling up and savoring in my heart.  A true treasure for me this Christmas.

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