A night in Bethlehem

Our ward had the best Christmas Party this year!  It was themed "A night in Bethlehem". We all dressed up as if we lived in Bethlehem the night Jesus was born.  We mingled around the market to 'purchase' our dinner, (with coins we were given) and even had to pay our taxes! After we were done eating, we followed Mary and Joseph outside, and were able to see a live nativity, and sing Christmas songs.  It was so neat!

Naturally I couldn't find my camera, so here are some pics that we took with the phone:

All dressed up! 



Some of the Market -The bakery, and the fruit market

The pita market

The meat market

These markets were built by the Tabor City branch, they were nice enough to let us borrow them

We even had a well in the center to get our water from!
(a little friend from the ward was serving the water)

The missionaries were dressed up as the Centurions, they collected our taxes as the night progressed. (We were given money when we got to the church) 

They also had a dreidel shop set up.  Santa was in there for the kids to visit.  They had the kids come into the room in small groups where they would sit and have a story read to them. It was "Teach The Children", a cute story about all the symbols of Christmas. It listed things like the tree, candy canes, presents, lights, etc. And explained what they meant.  It then went on to explain how Santa is also a symbol of Christmas. He represents family fun, and the joy of giving and receiving, but he is not the reason we celebrate Christmas.  After the story the kids got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.  When they were done visiting with him, they got to go into the dreidel shop where they were given little burlap bags to fill with all the symbols of Christmas.  The girls were so excited!  They even got a dreidel to take home.

Ben kept going and giving Santa a high-five while the story was being read

Maddy telling Santa her biggest wish for Christmas... Some swimming goggles. Good thing we live at the beach!  Those things are hard to find during winter!

Our little Sarah was too bashful to say anything... I'm surprised she didn't burst into tears!

Ben and Santa had a stare-off.  Then he quickly got down.  I was hoping to snap a picture while he was still in his costume, but it was so hot in that room, and Ben was getting flushed and sweating, so we took it off!  So our Santa picture shows off those chicken legs and his onesie!

Here are some adorable pictures of Ben. I think I should dress him like this everyday....

Running around the market, showing off his cuteness

Behold!



The Nativty

The youth put on a great Nativity for us. After the presentation, we sang some carols, and the kids got to take pictures with Mary and Joseph.  Unfortunately I missed Maddy visiting Mary, so I have no pictures...

What a great party! We had a blast, and are grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make it such a fun night.  It was great to have a visual reminder of why we celebrate Christmas.