Around the corner from our house is a beautiful glen or ravine with a running stream, trees, an amphitheater where summer concerts are held on a monthly basis with local musicians. It's been wisely preserved for a gathering place, a place to walk children and dogs and a place to enjoy nature in the middle of the city. It's peaceful there, especially one night every year.
The Live Nativity is sponsored by local multi denominations in the Salt Lake area. Living animals -- sheep, goats and camels are brought to the hillsides of the Harvard-Yale area and transform Miller Park into the city of Bethlehem for this special night.
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As you enter the park, a Centurion greets you, or the Mayor of Bethlehem. Other neighbors are dressed in costume and greet you as you descend the path lit by torches and luminaries. The town center is set up with mock businesses like there may have been at the time of Christ's birth. One being a hot chocolate stand, where everyone is given a cup to warm heart and soul. Various children’s choirs, high school and local singing groups sing praises throughout the evening. The spirit of Christmas can be felt all around. As you walk through the park you are led to the hillsides of Bethlehem where there are animals that children can pet. The camel this year was a baby camel. There are real Sheppard’s watching their sheep. One has to think about REAL sheep, and REAL Sheppard’s when they are right there.
click to enlargeAnd then, the reason that everyone comes, the manger scene. Right out under the stars in the great outdoors is this young couple and their adorable baby wrapped tightly sitting in a manger. It's hard not to catch the real meaning of Christmas, regardless of your age. I wish you all could come with me to my neighborhood's Live Nativity, but a few pictures will have to do.
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Wishing you all the time to feel the Spirit of Christmas!
Photo credits Gretchen Lund
What a fun thing to do during the holidays. I am loving your photos too:)
ReplyDeleteI wanted so badly to go last night but Josh was already booked and I couldn't find a friend to come along with me. I must go next year!!
ReplyDeleteMaria and Becky,
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful thing to do and it will be around next year, I'll try and let you know in advance.
I would love to have seen your Live Nativity! What a wonderful tradition!
ReplyDeleteyou can count on my family being there next year! it looks so nice :)
ReplyDeleteOh this looks lovely...I have not been to a live Nativity for years. It was always one of our favoutite things to do...and then we moved and I can not find one here. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, I wish we had something like this here! Looks like such a perfect evening with gorgeous clear weather too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful holiday tradition. I wish I could've seen it. Definitely post in advance when it is next year!
ReplyDeletei enjoyed taking these pictures. i have a great camera that picks up light even when it appears to be absolutely dark. in some of the pictures i took that night you can see the white swirls of warmer air evaporating off of people! this was a serene night even though there were crowds. somehow an evening like this brings out the peace in all of us! thanks for posting the pictures and giving me credit! love, gretchen
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