Last night was our ward Christmas party. It was like no other ward party that I'd ever been to. It was so special. There was no Santa, no presents. It was very spiritual. Everyone was to come dressed as a family would in the time of the birth of Jesus. I was surprised how many people actually dressed up. It just made it that much more special.
When we arrived, we had to pay our taxes. (The food is going to needy families) You then had to sign your family in and you were given a bag of money to help buy your dinner.
The gym was decorated as a Bethlehem city/market. There were booths for each part of the meal and only the parents could handle the money. There were a couple tables set up for people that couldn't sit on the floor but other than that, each family had to bring their own blanket. There also weren't utensils. This is one the families at the meat booth.
The pictures are not very good quality. I didn't even think to bring my camera so these are from my phone. 
This is Bud getting some cheese and fruit.
He was also awarded the lucky task of being Joseph in the play. (Doesn't he look happy??) When he was picked to be Joseph, he came home very excited telling us how he gets to be Joseph Smith at the ward party. (You think you're teaching your kids every year about the birth of the Savior, but who knows.)All in all, it was very spiritual. The primary children sang some songs and we joined in. When it was over, we reverently gathered up our families and headed home. I loved it. It helped remind me what we are really supposed to be celebrating at this time of the year.
4 comments:
What an awesome Christmas party! I think our ward needs to take a few lessons from yours. We had a high school choir come and "perform". They sang, danced and even did a little acting for added effect! YEAH FOR US!
That looks really awesome. I miss things like that from living in Rexburg. We had really great activities there too!
One of the Wards I lived in did this one year also. It WAS wonderful. They also had a photo op' for the family - dressed in our costumes, we were seated in the manger. I still have the photo. It was a great experience.
A few years ago, our stake something similar to this, only on a much larger scale. We created Bethlehem in the gymn for about 3 week period. We had voluntee actors to play the parts of town people. I was a merchant. We then opened it up to the entire community. At soem point in time Joseph and Mary would come through town and the events recorded in Luke II were acted out. From paying taxes to trying to find a room at the inn. It was one of the most wonderful Christmas experiences I have ever been involved in.
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