One of our favorite traditions is to dress up and act out the story of the nativity.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all
a world should be
b.
2 (
And this
a was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called
a; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his
a wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her
a son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the
b.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the
a of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
a tidings of great
b, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is
a this day in the city of David a
b, which is Christ the
c.
12 And this
shall be a
a unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 a to God in the highest, and on earth
b, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with
a, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen
it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard
it a at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and
a them in her heart.
1 Now when Jesus was
a in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying,
a is he that is born
b of the Jews? for we have seen his
c in the east, and are come to
d him.
3 When Herod the king had heard
these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 ¶And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
a, and myrrh.
We usually do it on Christmas Eve, but this year Christmas was on Sunday, so we decided to do our Nativity on Christmas Day, and open presents over the next 2 days.