A Bit of Jerusalem in Salt Lake City

Our neighborhood is full of doers. If they are going to do anything, they do it all the way and they do it with class. An example is the yearly tradition of a live nativity in the Miller Park--a small canyon park along City Creek. It was amazing. Let's just say that when we were walking there the boys were complaining and griping that they didn't want to go. And why does mom always drag them to religious stuff? But when we left I remarked that is was beautiful and Talmage said, "Mom, the whole world looks beautiful when you know that HE was born!" They definitely got the point. Here is how it was made.
How to get a little boys attention: post Roman soldiers with authentic costumes at the entrance way. Costumes were donated by Hale Center Theater. Here is Tal holding a head-sized snowball in his hat. Just inside the entrance they accepted canned food for the food bank and I hear they filled up the truck.
The mayor of Bethlehem (our Bishop Smith) welcomed us to a market like you would have seen in old Bethlehem--only 15 Shekels for this goose! And they served hot cocoa and bagels for the walk.
There was a wonderful choir singing christmas carols. And the white rock wall along the canyon looked so much like the rock city wall between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, it's amazing that it just happened to be there and wasn't built for the event.
Shepards on the side of the hill with a flock of real sheep.
Wise men arrived with real live camels to visit the Christ child, Mary and Joseph. A beautiful recording of Luke 2 was broadcast over speakers as the events unfolded.

On the way out there were lots of sheep and goats for the children to pet. There was even a yak! (Rent a camel, get the yak for 1/2 off!) It was a beautiful way to start the Christmas season. The boys talked about it for days.

It was so nice walking through with the Pulsiphers, who helped me keep track of the boys as Clint was out of town.