Living Nativity

Tonight, Peeper and I went to a performance of a live nativity at a local church. Note that it was held outdoors, and the temperature was about 30 degrees. (Which is a good five to ten degrees warmer than last weekend, I think, so I really can't complain too much.)

There were live animals (a donkey and about three sheep) and recorded live music (huh? The performance was accompanied by a recording of the church's choir, rather than commercially-produced recordings.) along with a recorded narration.

I bundled us up and wore Peeper and everyone basically just stood around in the parking lot and watched. Those who were smart enough to get there early watched from the warmth and comfort of their cars, but that just didn't seem very sporting.

It lasted about thirty minutes, and I think Peeper enjoyed it. She certainly liked seeing the animals (we got to pet the donkey before it started) and she seemed to like the music, and I think she also liked the aaayn-gels.

The photos aren't great, but you get the idea.

The angel visits Mary.

Roman soldiers announcing the tax decree.

Baby Jesus is born! (After Mary and Joseph were sent to the stable, she reached under the manger and pulled him out and put him in it. Easiest. Birth. Ever.)

The first angel visits the shepherds. A whole Heavenly Host appeared moments later.

The shepherds and the angels visit Baby Jesus.

Oh yeah, and on our way to this, we stopped by the mall and bought a couple of gifts for the Toys for Tots collection at Shrike's work.

Why did we go to the mall instead of Target?

Because, despite the fact that her normally cheerful and compliant demeanor has been a bit "off" lately (we're wondering if she's getting sick, and fearing that she's getting two) and that she'd pitched a total fit earlier and completely thrown off our original plans to go to see the Christmas trains (We were already pushing it, timewise, and then it was too late to make it. We're trying that again tomorrow. Shrike is just as glad that she's off the hook for the freezing nativity tomorrow when she's home.) and that she's been working my absolute very last nerve today (see: PMS), I still love that little shit more than anything and I love more than anything to see her beside-herself-happy and I knew that if we went to Sears, we'd just "happen to" run into Humhummuh, and she'd love that.

We did, and she did, and it was so worth it.