On the fourth Day of Christmas. . .

(I apparently took a hiatus from blogging--but now that my final papers are written I can resume!)

"For unto us a child was born. . ."

As a newlywed couple my mother-in-law gave me a Precious Moments Nativity set that has grown in size each year as a new piece is added. It's quite cute with unexpected characters like Harold, the angel (Hark the Harold Angel sings). It may not be the traditional nativity, but I have found that the nativity is highly adaptable.

Each year we attend the Festival of the Nativity in Vancouver. It is held in a LDS building but youth groups and performers come from all denominations in the area to participate. There is a fabulous bell choir that comes every year that we try not to miss.

But the cultural hall is the show stopper. Displayed about on tables draped with fabric under soft lighting and surrounded by symbols of Christmas sit hundreds of nativities--all unique and interesting, and highly adapted to culture and location. There were over 700 this year from dozens of different countries.

To make things interesting, they provide a paper with a "find the. . ." game, with things like "The Elephant" or "The Nativity made out of ivory" or "The Nativity in and egg". In a side room they have fun kid friendly nativities of less fragile material--often consisting of bears or other animals instead of people.

But the favorite stops for the girls are the interactive room and the craft room.

Here you can touch the nativities (puppets, fabric and wood ones) and dress up and hear stories.

In the craft room the crafts vary from year to year, but they generally feature a nativity of some sort. This year they made the donkey that carried Mary.

In our house, our wish lists are long and our Commercial Christmas cheer is present, but a little reminder of why we celebrate is always welcome. So of course we will be back again next year.