a night in bethlehem

we look forward to this every year - a night in bethlehem - where the church that runs the boys' preschool converts itself into bethlehem in a free public event. it was really great this year with some layout changes and the beautiful weather made for a great turn out both nights (or so we heard).  

we heard from the tax collector, the inn keeper's wife, shepherds and scholars (reading from the isaiah scrolls) on our way to the marketplace.

in the marketplace the kids get to try different skills (weaving, basket making, candle making, etc),  make some take home items (bracelets, 'baskets') and are given all sorts of foods to try.

 and then we "follow the star" to find baby jesus.

lastly, you head outside through a little petting zoo. maddux wouldn't even go near it, but manning was so excited that he practically ran through touching every single animal! he pet a chicken, calf, sheep, goat, pony and llama. it was a little nerve wracking trying to keep up with him in the crowd and worrying that he was going to scare an animal to the point of getting hurt or hurting it. but we made it out without incident!

what a gift to the community this night is and we are thankful for it! love.