Bethlehem

Last night, we went to a live nativity put on by a local church.  I have never been to a live nativity, but I am pretty sure this is the best it can get.

Sheep in the field outside of town. 

 Gates to Bethlehem watched by Roman guards.

  Inside the town, vendors of all kinds.  Basket weavers, a market, a place to make shekels, dye fabric, make yarn...

Then Mary and Joseph come to town for the census and need to find a place to stay, on a real donkey! 

Random llama, but oh my gosh, there were llamas!!  I tried to get Ava to take a picture with one since  she loves Llama Llama, but that wasn't happening.  (Jesus was being born in the stable at this moment, but Ava was not about being silent and watching this part of the show either.)

The wisemen arrive with a dramatic entrance...

A real camel, people!! 

  This was so fun to see.  And talk about getting your heart right for the season.  I have been telling all of my friends that they have to go see it!  It is worth all of the work it takes to get your kids out of the house at night, and I know it's a lot.

Last stop in Bethlehem for us was getting a shekel.  They stamped clay, cooked it in the fire oven right there, and they could take it home.  (A lady near us was telling her child it was like baking pizza and Joel just couldn't get it out of his mind that these little coins were something they could eat.  "Can I have it when it's done, mom?  Where is my pizza?"  Thanks, lady.)

Anyway, it was so so so cool (and free)!  Usually you get what you pay for, but this far exceeded our expectations.  It was a great night!

Happy friday, friends!