If you are a Christian parent you’ve probably experienced some of these questions when reading the Christmas story to your children:
“What’s a census?”
“Did they really sleep in a stable? I bet that was cool!”
“What’s a shepherd?”
Or the dreaded:
“What does ‘Born of a Virgin’ mean?”
Now, I’m sure you take immense joy in answering each of those questions and more (it’s okay to shake your head—I’m not judging), but there is another option.
Overcrowded streets, loud animals and shouting shepherds will allow your family to experience the story of Christmas in 3D–without need of special glasses.
What if you and your family could walk into the village of Bethlehem, on the night of the birth of Jesus and be met by census takers, counting heads? Then, you could wander through town and visit some interesting sights? There’s a pottery shop where your children can try their hand at crafting a piece of clay into something other than a paper-weight. How about a stable with live animals they can pet? Or a perfume shop where they can see fresh flowers ground into a favorite scent.
Maybe there will even be a door that says “INN”, with a man standing by to explain that there’s no room. Other people, dressed in character, will come across your path and point out the star in the distance or ask your children if they’ve seen the baby born in a manger.
Gradually your path will take you closer to the stable where the baby Jesus lies and you will hear shepherds proclaiming the “Good News” that the Savior has been born. Finally, you’ll arrive at the manger, with Mary and Joseph standing close, warmly greeting all who come to get a glimpse of the Messiah.
Life Church’s Early Life Director, Christy Morley, says “We wanted to host an event that was engaging to families and children. We especially wanted to have something that the community would want to attend. We designed the event to be super kid friendly. It has lots of hands on activities and all of it is easy for pre-school and older kids to understand and enjoy.”
This tactile experience, hosted by Life Church in Leander, is more than a living nativity. It is a reenactment of the night Jesus was born. Overcrowded streets, loud animals and shouting shepherds will allow your family to experience the story of Christmas in 3D–without need of special glasses. You’ll also enlist your other senses by touching, hearing and smelling things (I’m talking about the perfume, not the animals).
If it’s a little chilly this December evening, maybe your children will also learn that being born in a manger is not really all that cool (now we can talk about the smell of the animals). The birth of Jesus was not the warm, safe event it is for most children today.
Life Church’s Early Life Director, Christy Morley, says “We wanted to host an event that was engaging to families and children. We especially wanted to have something that the community would want to attend. We designed the event to be super kid friendly. It has lots of hands on activities and all of it is easy for pre-school and older kids to understand and enjoy.”
So this Saturday, December 9th, from 6-8pm, take a drive up/down or over to Leander and see this free blessed event, which came to pass in the small town of Bethlehem so many centuries ago.
Show your children the birth of Jesus.
Life Church is located at 1393 E. Woodview Dr., Leander, TX 78641.
