New Traditions: The Nativity

We started a new tradition this year that I absolutely love! The girls got to open a special present which was our very first children's nativity set. Then for family night we used the set to tell the story of Christ's birth. We planned on having family night on Sunday so Nick could be apart of it (since he would be better at telling the story), but we ended up getting home late from his Grandma's house so instead we did it the next day before the girls went down for naps and Nick left for work.

It was so fun to see the girls participate in the story. Nick pulled out his scriptures and read it word for word and occasionally stopped to explain something or ask if they understood what a certain word meant. As each "character" came into play, the girls got to take turns acting out those scenes with the nativity pieces. These pictures are a little deceiving because it looks like the girls are super engaged, and I guess for the most part they were, but we had to keep reminding them to sit and listen.

I love this picture of Shelby laying on the floor with her head down. She's actually interested in the nativity and gazing at it, not sleeping or being ornery!

And I love those little hands actively participating in the story!

Shelby was (and still is) obsessed with feeding all of the people. And putting all the pieces in her mouth.

This is her feeding the baby Jesus a baby bottle. She does this a LOT! I love how nurturing she is!

This new tradition is possibly my favorite of all our Christmas traditions. I think they took a lot away from the story and gained a better understanding of Christ's birth. Well, Shasta anyway. It made for a fun family night activity and it was fun to have Nick be apart of it.