Night In Bethlehem

A family in Sean's neighborhood does a live nativity every year. It is a huge production called Night In Bethlehem. They have an old carriage house that they turn into a market, and there are chickens and sheep and people everywhere. Then there is a decree from the tax collector that everyone needs to go to the city of their ancestors to be taxed, and then all of a sudden there is a donkey being led by Joseph, and a pregnant Mary riding on the back of the donkey. They walk through the village and go out the back. Then the whole group goes outside where the angel appears to the shepherd, and then there is a curtain drawn and you see Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus in the manger. The shepherds go worship, the wise men come, and a couple of other villagers, and they also throw in a Roman soldier, which I thought was a nice touch. It is very moving, especially when the crowd sings Silent Night together. If you are ever in the area for Christmas, you start at the old church building on 200 S and 100 E in Provo. They do it on the 23rd and 24th usually. It is amazing!

My father-in-law, the Tax Collector